Treating Others Gently
by Paul Tautges | June 17, 2025 5:40 am
Since becoming a Christian in 1984, I’ve been deeply instructed and shaped by the Bible teaching of Jerry Bridges. The first of his books to impact me was The Pursuit of Holiness, which laid a foundation for understanding my role in sanctification—growth in Christlikeness. Years later, in Transforming Grace, Jerry acknowledged the need for biblical balance by emphasizing its twin truth: we depend fully on the Holy Spirit for His ongoing grace and power. After all, godly character is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of ourselves.
This year, as part of my morning Bible and prayer time, I’m reading through a 365-day compilation of excerpts from Jerry’s writings, Holiness: Day by Day[1], which continues to nourish my soul. The following devotional reading on gentleness is just one example of how his insights are still helping me grow.
A profile of gentleness as it should appear in our lives will first include actively seeking to make others feel at ease, or “restful,” in our presence. We should not be so strongly opinionated or dogmatic that others are afraid to express their opinions in our presence. Instead, we should be sensitive to others’ opinions and ideas. We should also avoid displaying our commitment to Christian discipleship in such a way as to make others feel guilty, taking care not to break the bruised reed of the hurting Christian or snuff out the smoldering wick of the immature Christian.
Second, gentleness will demonstrate respect for the personal dignity of the other person. Where necessary, it will seek to change a wrong opinion or attitude by persuasion and kindness, not by domination or intimidation. It will studiously avoid coercion by threatening, either directly or indirectly (as Paul, for example, avoided it in his appeal to the Corinthians).
Gentleness will also avoid blunt and abrupt speech, instead seeking to answer everyone with sensitivity and respect, ready to show consideration toward all. Gentle Christians do not feel they have the liberty to “say what I think and let the chips fall where they may. Instead they’re sensitive to the reactions and feelings of others. When gentle Christians find it necessary to wound with words, they also seek to bind up those wounds with words of consolation and encouragement.
Finally, gentle Christians will not degrade or belittle or gossip about the brother or sister who falls into some sin. Instead they will grieve for him or her and pray for that person’s repentance. If it’s appropriate to become personally involved, they’ll seek to restore the person gently (Galatians 6:1), aware that they too are subject to temptation.
Related
Endnotes:- Holiness: Day by Day: https://www.cvbbs.com/products/holiness-day-by-day-bridges-jerry?keyword=holiness%20day%20by%20day
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2025/06/17/treating-others-gently/
Treating Others Gently
by Paul Tautges | June 17, 2025 5:40 am
Since becoming a Christian in 1984, I’ve been deeply instructed and shaped by the Bible teaching of Jerry Bridges. The first of his books to impact me was The Pursuit of Holiness, which laid a foundation for understanding my role in sanctification—growth in Christlikeness. Years later, in Transforming Grace, Jerry acknowledged the need for biblical balance by emphasizing its twin truth: we depend fully on the Holy Spirit for His ongoing grace and power. After all, godly character is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of ourselves.
This year, as part of my morning Bible and prayer time, I’m reading through a 365-day compilation of excerpts from Jerry’s writings, Holiness: Day by Day[1], which continues to nourish my soul. The following devotional reading on gentleness is just one example of how his insights are still helping me grow.
A profile of gentleness as it should appear in our lives will first include actively seeking to make others feel at ease, or “restful,” in our presence. We should not be so strongly opinionated or dogmatic that others are afraid to express their opinions in our presence. Instead, we should be sensitive to others’ opinions and ideas. We should also avoid displaying our commitment to Christian discipleship in such a way as to make others feel guilty, taking care not to break the bruised reed of the hurting Christian or snuff out the smoldering wick of the immature Christian.
Second, gentleness will demonstrate respect for the personal dignity of the other person. Where necessary, it will seek to change a wrong opinion or attitude by persuasion and kindness, not by domination or intimidation. It will studiously avoid coercion by threatening, either directly or indirectly (as Paul, for example, avoided it in his appeal to the Corinthians).
Gentleness will also avoid blunt and abrupt speech, instead seeking to answer everyone with sensitivity and respect, ready to show consideration toward all. Gentle Christians do not feel they have the liberty to “say what I think and let the chips fall where they may. Instead they’re sensitive to the reactions and feelings of others. When gentle Christians find it necessary to wound with words, they also seek to bind up those wounds with words of consolation and encouragement.
Finally, gentle Christians will not degrade or belittle or gossip about the brother or sister who falls into some sin. Instead they will grieve for him or her and pray for that person’s repentance. If it’s appropriate to become personally involved, they’ll seek to restore the person gently (Galatians 6:1), aware that they too are subject to temptation.
Related
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2025/06/17/treating-others-gently/