Gentleness: Is Your Marriage Missing This?

"If you step into the Bible, you’ll find the word gentle in several places. If you look at the Greek language, something more robust reveals itself. The Greek word for gentleness is pra - ooh - tayce. Historically, this word originally described the space existing between having a hot temper … and having no temper at all. I think this definition gets at something our usual understanding of gentleness misses. Gentleness only exists when there’s an opportunity not to be gentle — when harshness is an equally available option. To be kind or tender or mild-mannered is gentleness … IF you have the ability to NOT be kind or NOT be tender or NOT be mild-mannered. So, what I’m saying is this: the foundation of gentleness is actually power. It’s authority. It’s the ability to use force — but choosing to restrain … to be gentle. A gentleman is someone with strength – someone who could do harm – but instead treats people with gentleness and kindness. Let me show you how this plays out in our lives." Ben Webb, Associate Minister