Sept. 29, 2025

Gentleness is Not Weakness

Send me a text Gentleness isn’t weakness; it’s Spirit-filled strength. In this episode, discover how choosing a gentle response can disarm fear, bring peace, and reflect the heart of Christ. Have you ever mistaken gentleness for weakness? In our culture, power often looks like volume, force, or control. But the Bible shows us a different way, gentleness that doesn’t ignore reality, but transforms it with Spirit-filled strength. In today’s devotion, you’ll hear the true story of a coach who fa...

Send me a text

Gentleness isn’t weakness; it’s Spirit-filled strength. In this episode, discover how choosing a gentle response can disarm fear, bring peace, and reflect the heart of Christ.

Have you ever mistaken gentleness for weakness?

In our culture, power often looks like volume, force, or control. But the Bible shows us a different way, gentleness that doesn’t ignore reality, but transforms it with Spirit-filled strength.

In today’s devotion, you’ll hear the true story of a coach who faced down danger in a school hallway, not with force, but with gentleness. His response shows us how Proverbs 15:4 is lived out: “Gentle words are a tree of life.”

Main Scripture:

Proverbs 15:4 – “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

Why gentleness is strength under control, not weakness
How gentleness can disarm conflict and bring peace
A Christlike pattern for responding to others with love

Today’s Challenge:

When you’re tempted to react harshly, pause. Pray, “Lord, help me show Your strength through gentleness.” Choose one conversation today to respond with a softer, grace-filled word.

Encouraged by today’s devotion?

Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder of God’s gentle strength. And if this podcast has blessed you, please follow and leave a review; it helps more people find encouragement.

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WEBVTT

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'A student walks into a Portland high school carrying a shotgun. In the hallway stands Coach Keenan Lowe, a former wide receiver, now campus security and mentor. Heart racing, he steps toward the student. No shouting, no tackle. He speaks softly, eyes steady, hands open.

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In that split second, the whole building hangs in the balance.

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What do you do when fear says

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be gentle.

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Welcome to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. I'm Bart Leger and today we're looking at why gentleness is not weakness. In fact, true gentleness is spirit filled strength; a way of living that brings peace and healing into our relationships and our world. Coach Lowe chose gentleness, and it was anything but weak. He calmly took the gun, set it aside, and then did the unexpected. He pulled the student into a hug. Easy and low voice reminding him he wasn't alone. No one was hurt.

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Gentleness didn't ignore danger.

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It disarmed it. It was strength under control. Spirit filled courage that brought peace into a moment charged with fear.

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Proverbs 15: 4 says, "Gentle words are a tree of life. A deceitful tongue brushes the

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5 tells us that power means volume and aggression or force. But scripture turns that idea upside down. Gentleness doesn't mean being passive and it doesn't mean ignoring sin or pretending problems don't exist. Gentleness is strength that's being surrendered to God. It's power that knows when to stay quiet and when to speak softly, and it knows when to hug instead of fight. Think about your own life.

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When was the last time you raised your voice trying to control a situation? Did it really work? Or did it just leave more damage? Think about a time when someone spoke to you with gentleness, even when you expected them to lash out.

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Chances are, that moment built trust and opened your heart instead of closing it. Jesus modeled this perfectly. He had all authority, but He described Himself as gentle and lowly in

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29... When the Samaritan woman came with her tangled past, Jesus didn't shame her. He spoke with compassion and truth. When soldiers came to arrest Him in Gethsemane, He didn't lash out.

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He submitted to the Father's will. Because His gentleness wasn't weakness, it was strength under control. Today, when you're tempted to react harshly, whether at work or at home or even in traffic, pause and pray,"Lord, help me show your strength through gentleness." And then let your words become a tree of life that points others to Him. Lord, thank You that gentleness isn't weakness. Thank You for showing us, through Jesus, what true strength looks like. Strength that heals instead of harms. Strength that calms instead of crushes. Father, help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and careful with our words. Fill us with Your Spirit so we can reflect Your gentleness in every conversation.

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In Jesus' name, Amen. Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives.

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Remember, true strength shows up in gentleness. Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God's truth. Until then, God bless, and have a great day.

Gentleness is Not Weakness

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