Ep. 12 - Fruit of The Spirit: Gentleness

What if gentleness isn’t weakness at all, but the hardest, most resilient form of strength—strength that knows when to hold steady, when to speak softly, and when to act with firm conviction? We take a thoughtful, scripture-rooted look at gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit, grounded in Jesus’ own words from Matthew 11: “I am gentle and humble in heart.” That invitation to find rest reframes gentleness as strength under control and a lifestyle that lowers walls instead of raising temperatures.

We move from big ideas to daily life. How do you stay gentle in hot-button conversations about abortion or sexuality without watering down truth? Proverbs 15:1 offers a compass: soft answers turn away wrath. We share practical ways to remain calm when others escalate, how to keep your tone steady while standing firm, and why gentleness can make the gospel more receivable. We also tackle a tough question head-on: what do we do with Jesus cleansing the temple? We explore how purposeful, controlled action fits inside a biblical vision of gentleness.

Parenting brings the theme home. Harsh correction may win the moment but lose the heart. Calm, consistent boundaries build trust over time. We talk about de-escalation, switching out when you’re angry, and pairing consequences with connection. Along the way, 2 Timothy 2 and Galatians 6 shape a community ethic: correct opponents with gentleness, restore brothers gently, and carry each other’s burdens while guarding our own.

If you’re hungry for a way of strength that doesn’t shout, a way of truth that doesn’t bruise, and a way of love that doesn’t flinch, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s navigating tense conversations, and leave a review with your best “reflect before you react” practice—we’d love to learn from you.

Transcript

Warm Welcome And A Light Joke

SPEAKER_00 0:15

Welcome to the Brotherhood Podcast.

Fruits Of The Spirit Recap

Craig 0:23

Welcome back to another episode of the Brotherhood Podcast. Um last we keep forgetting, but my name's Craig. Colton is here also. And uh for those of you guys that don't always listen and don't know our voices, but uh yeah, welcome back to another episode, or welcome to uh an episode if this is your first time. Thank you for being here. Um, we are gonna continue today with our uh uh Fruits of the Spirit series. We've got a couple left. Um, today we're working on gentleness, but before we get into it, um, I got a little uh little something to make you guys laugh here first. Um uh share a little joke. So uh it goes like this a man stands up during prayer time and says, Please pray for my hearing. And the church prays fervently. And after the service, the pastor asks, So, how's your hearing now? The man says, I'll find out Tuesday. That's when the court date is that's a good way to start. Yeah, start with a little laugh, absolutely get us uh get us bubbly, get us going a little bit. But uh yeah, from there, um I guess what we can do, uh Colton can read our our main uh our main verse here, the fruits verse, Galatians 5, 22 and 23. And then he's also got an anchor verse for today's episode, too. So I'll let him take it from here for a minute.

Anchor Verse: Matthew 11 On Gentle Jesus

Colton 2:10

Yeah, so like every other episode, we're gonna start with uh the fruit of the spirit, sorry, the fruits of the spirit, which is Galatians 5, 22 to 23. Uh, just as a reminder, is what we've gone through and what we have left. So Galatians 5, 22 to 23. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, or sometimes um patience, in some um translations of the Bible. Um so forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. So we've gone through the first seven, I believe. We are on the eighth one, and then we have um just self-control for next week. Uh, but this week we're gonna focus on gentleness, and so we came across this verse. I think that's pretty fitting for an anchor verse. We're gonna kind of base our whole episode today off of this verse, Matthew eleven, twenty-eight to twenty-nine. And um this is Jesus speaking here. It says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. And so we chose this verse today because it speaks about Jesus, and Jesus says, Um, where is it here? Verse 29, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. So God says, or Jesus says, to learn from him because he is humble and gentle in heart. And I was kind of thinking about it today as we're getting ready for this episode. You think about how Jesus was gentle in in so many different situations. Uh, when the kids were coming to Jesus and the disciples were trying to, you know, get rid of them, and Jesus said, No, no, let the kids come because He He loves them and He was gentle about it. And uh when he was walking on the water, and I think it was Peter who got out of the boat to walk towards him on the water, I think that's right, right? Sorry, I'm I need to start practicing the names a little bit. But yeah, when Peter's walking out on the water and Jesus is uh walking towards him, but Peter starts to sink, Jesus you know, reaches out his hand to pull him back up. And I don't know, to me, the way the Bible talks about it, I just see that as being such a a gentle act of of love and gentleness that Jesus displayed there. And so, anyways, we chose this verse because obviously Jesus is the best example we have of all nine fruits of the Spirit. He does a um a perfect job at displaying all of them, and so today we are basing off of this, and um and we'll see kind of kind of where the conversation goes with this, but um yeah, so like I say, um I was gonna say too, I guess with that verse, one thing it mentions is we find rest in Jesus for our souls. Um when we let me let me grab my Bible here again. I don't know how to put this clearly. Yeah, so Jesus says he will give us rest, but he says, learn from him, he is gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. So if we learn from him, if we seek him, if we desire to mirror uh the personality and characteristics of Jesus Christ, then I think we will find rest for our souls in that.

Is Gentleness Weakness Or Strength

Craig 6:17

Yeah, I would agree. And um I just had noted here, like for our introduction part, that yeah, like just to note in Matthew 11:29, which you already did talk about, Jesus describes his own heart as gentle, and uh He he is the ultimate role model for gentleness. And basically, like you said, Colton, the all the fruits of the spirit, he is he's our best example. Um I just I did have something I wanted to address too before we get started.

Colton 6:57

Um maybe we can talk about this a little bit, but would you say that typically when we think of gentleness, um we think of weakness, maybe you know, I was just gonna say that when I think of gentleness, I think of um for myself being gentle, it it kind of makes me think of being a almost a little bit of a pushover in a sense. I don't know that that's the right way to do it. I that's one thing I think of, and then when it comes to, and I don't know why, but I think a lot about being a parent and about my kids when it comes to disciplining. I see I think of gentleness as being because there's you know gentle parenting, which is a thing, and so I I guess maybe I kind of think of that when I think of gentleness. That's the first um, how do you say it? I guess superficial thought that comes to my mind, right?

Craig 8:02

Um, so I like I watched uh some some sermons and stuff like that on this, and and some guys I keep going back to Joby Martin because he's like uh you know, he's always talking about the the manliness of of these things and of scripture, and that's what we're trying to do here too. So I try to, you know, I think he's a trustworthy um guy who has sound biblical teaching from what I've seen. And uh he said that like gentleness isn't weakness, right? Um it is something that we're like, no, we don't want to be gentle, we want to be tough, we want to be rugged, right? Uh as men, but um to know too that gentleness actually, so I looked it up, I didn't write the word down, but I think it's in the Greek the word that's used for gentleness actually means strength under control. So it's a lot more um nuanced than just being gentle, or I think gentleness and kindness can be linked together too some. Yeah. Um but I have here uh Proverbs 16 uh 32 says, Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. So I mean if you think about biblical times, people conquering cities and stuff like that. This proverb says that one who can control has his spirit under control, has self-control, doesn't get anger, let anger get away from him, is more mighty than one who could conquer a city. So um I think that's pretty interesting. And uh I think gives us a different kind of frame to think about when we're thinking about gentleness as we go through this episode.

Gentle Conviction In Hot-Button Issues

Colton 10:11

Yeah, absolutely. I think it's something that needs to be um needs to be taught, but it needs to be uh, I guess maybe more so understood, you know, as Christians. Like you say, it's not gentleness doesn't mean weakness. I think there are a lot of scenarios that call for gentleness. Um there's also a lot of scenarios that call for us to be bold and to be brave, but you know, I the I guess something that comes to mind is even when you're when you're speaking with people who don't believe, and I actually it's good that you brought that up because I actually wanted to talk about this a little bit today, too. When it comes to people who don't believe, who are non-believers, and we're talking about let's say we're talking about abortion, just as an example, um, or even gays and lesbians, you know. I've had I've had people get uh very upset at me over these conversations, and I've always said the same thing, you know. It's and I think we gotta be careful. I think this is where we need to be gentle, but we have to be firm, right? I think we have to be gently firm, I guess, if you want to put it that way. But people have actually gotten upset at me over this, and um, my opinion on it is you know, the Bible says that gays and lesbians are wrong. And I will always say I still love those people, but I disagree with what they're doing. And so for a non-believer, you know, a lot of them I find when I've had those conversations, they they get upset, right? And I try to I try to be gentle about it, but it's tough because and I don't know about you, Craig, but for me, it seems like um a lot of people they take it the wrong way, no matter how gentle you try to bring it across, because we're not we're not twisting what we believe, we're just trying to not be rude about how we say it, I guess, or how you know how we believe it, because we believe in what the Bible says and and it says that clearly. And so I guess my point being that you know, we've I've tried to be gentle when I talk about that kind of stuff, but it's almost like people don't see it as gentleness, they take it as an insult, or they take it as, you know, we hate them right aways, or you know, and that kind of thing. And maybe anybody who's listening, I mean, if you know Craig or I, that's uh that's the last thing we want to do is um for people to think that we are upset at you, or you know, that we absolutely hate those things. It's not that we don't love those people, it's just that we disagree. And yeah, I mean, not all Christians are going to act the same way, but um I think it is important to act gentle in those times, but again, like I said, be firm in what we believe and what the Bible says. Um, yeah, I don't know. What are your thoughts on that, Craig?

Craig 13:39

I think uh I lean back a little bit here. I think I agree. Like, as you know, I have I have people in my life that are um I guess part of that um that group of people, you know, lesbian, gay, lgbt, whatever, um whatever you want to call it. But um one in particular, I can have civil conversations with this person, and you know, we do talk about things of the Bible, and we talk about things of faith, and they're very open to hearing what I have to say about these things, and I'm grateful for that because then I can share the truth with them. But uh there's a lot of a lot of those people that are just so not even just people that are are gay or whatever, but anyone that is that would be living against the way that God would have us live, I guess. Um anyone that's not living for Christ, it can be you know, it can be fornication, it can be drug addiction, it can be whatever. Um But a lot of those people, like you said, it seems like when you confront them about these things and you're you know, you're calm, collected, just stating facts, stating truth, and quoting scripture and um just things like that, speaking out of love, immediately they are just you know, they think you hate them. And it's like this person in my life, I I've said, like, it's I don't hate you. I in fact I love you. I love you enough to tell you the you know, tell you what I believe and tell you the truth. And uh and I think for us as Christians, we have to it's not our place to condemn these people. No, that's that's the Holy Spirit's job. All we can do is share the share the truth, share the gospel with them, and if they're open to have dialogue and conversation, then we need to be ready to do that. But um, it's not up to us per se to change their mind. And I think sometimes we can get caught up in that, and you know, if you're debating with somebody, right? Um they their voice rises and your voice rises, and then and then it turns into a fight. So but anyway, with in the spirit of gentleness, we need to we need to not let our blood pressure rise to their level. We need to stay calm and collected. Um I just with thinking of gentleness, it's kind of funny. I uh I kept my mind kept going to um Jesus um you know, fashioning a whip and driving people out of the temple. But I think I have that referenced here somewhere, so I think we'll get into that.

What Is Gentleness Biblically

Colton 17:11

But yeah, yeah. I think no, we just I I think um I was just gonna say quick too, Craig, for for those of you listening to, you know, again, we our goal is to just speak the word of God uh because of the hope that he gives, not because, you know, like Craig said, we're not trying to condemn you. We just want you to know the hope that we have in Christ. You know, it's something that that was meant for the whole world. And um the way I see a lot of this sin is, and you know, I might be wrong, but a lot of this sin I think is people searching for something. And uh, you know, a lot of a lot of the sins of the world, they give you temporary happiness. You know, it'll last you a couple years, you'll be happy, but then again, um, and again, maybe I'm not right, but give it time, and I think you're still going to be searching. And if you find yourself there, and if you have found yourself there, um I would again just recommend going to the Bible and and seeing the hope that it gives you. Um you know, I know not everybody's going to believe in in Christ at the end of their life, uh, but we would definitely like to do our best in gentleness to show people the love of Christ and maybe help them to see it in a way they've never seen before. So yeah, we just we just want to love people and be gentle with people, that's all.

Craig 18:50

Yeah. So what is gentleness then?

Colton 18:56

That's a good question. Actually, it's funny. You touched on a couple of the verses I had that uh that explain gentleness. So I don't know if I'm gonna read them all.

Craig 19:05

But I was gonna say I said some of the things already that I have in what is gentleness, but we can whatever.

Colton 19:13

We'll just yeah, we'll do what we do. You betcha we will. Okay. Uh so the first one, actually, this one I will read. I found it kind of interesting. This is um Paul speaking in First Corinthians four. Uh four, uh, so I picked the whole thing, 14 to 21. Um, I'm writing this not to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children, like we had talked about. We're not here to shame you, but to love you. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me. For this reason, I have sent to you Timothy, my son, whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways. Some of you have become arrogant as if I were not coming to you, but I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? And so I kind of was thinking about that because we talked about you know gently disciplining, or you know, kind of what our thoughts are on that. Um and I I think it's interesting because I think I don't even know how it explain it, but I feel like when you compare two things like that, usually they're opposite, right? The way Paul says it here makes it sound like um coming with a rod of discipline, so kind of coming down on these guys, or coming with a heart of gentleness and love. And I find that interesting because I think gentleness would be, you know, maybe not disciplining them for what they've done wrong. There's actually a verse that just popped in my head with that, too. Uh Romans 2, verse 4. I'm just gonna go there quick. Okay, this is uh the so I struggle with a lot of sin in my life with with certain addictions and things that that are not easy. And um I asked a pastor about this one. Sorry, this might be a bit of a rabbit trail, but we love those. I think it's that's where you get the best messages.

SPEAKER_05 21:54

Yeah.

Colton 21:54

Uh so Romans 2, 4, I think. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. So reading uh 1 Corinthians 4 14 to 21, that kind of makes me think of that, you know, where I think it would be um maybe the same idea where uh, you know, Paul is asking people, should I come to you with a rod of discipline, or should I come to you with a heart of love and gentleness? Because you know, Romans 2, 4 says, basically, the way I understand it is does he not show us kindness and patience to bring us back to himself and not always coming at us with a rod of discipline, right? Kind of like our children. I mean, those of you who have kids know that not each one is the same. They don't they don't all need the same discipline in order to obey or listen or or learn, right? Yeah, anyways, that's yeah, that's an interesting thought. Yeah, and I think um and then yep.

Craig 23:07

I was I was just gonna say that uh uh I have some reference to parenting later on in my notes as well. So I think it's kind of it's just kind of funny that that's kind of that's just where we're at in life, and that's uh you guys are gonna hear that a lot from us.

Colton 23:24

So yeah. Young families were with their kids a lot and learning and uh learning as parents and gentleness as one thing I definitely need to learn more of, I think. Um, so these other verses. I don't think I'm gonna read them out, but 2 Corinthians 10 1 um talks a little bit about again the gentleness of of Jesus. And again, like I said earlier in the episode, I kind of it makes me think about even Jesus in the garden when um the guard who's coming to seize him gets his ear cut off, and Jesus tells his disciples to put their swords away and basically says, you know, heals the guy's ear. You know, that's that's gentleness. Even though he knew they were gonna kill him, he was gentle. Uh yeah, so 2 Corinthians 10 1, I'll read this one too, and then the rest I'll just quickly touch on. But by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you. I, Paul, who am timid, when face to face with you, but bold toward you went away. Yeah, so again, by the humility and gentleness of Christ, he says, I appeal to you. Right, so it's something to follow. Jesus sets a perfect example of that, and then self-control and gentleness. Uh, second or sorry, Galatians 5.23 mentions a little bit about that, and so I think it's funny that those two go together. Next week we'll be talking a little bit about self-control, but um, I think when you're you're putting these two in the same verse, self-control and gentleness, you know, I think self-control can lead to gentleness and gentleness to self-control. I think they're you know, kind of hand in hand with each other. Um, and then 1 Peter 3 15, respect and gentleness. So same thing, you know, I think respect and gentleness go hand in hand. And um if you have one, I think you can learn to have the other one, is kind of yeah, what what my I guess definition of gentleness would be.

SPEAKER_02 25:45

Yeah, that's good.

Jesus Cleanses The Temple Debate

Craig 25:47

Um, yeah, I think we're kind of along the same lines here. Um, because I have some things that like I already kind of talked about self-control with Proverbs uh 1632. Um I have another one uh just expressing again with the idea that gentleness is strength under control. Another proverb um 25-28. It says I'll uh oh sorry, I went to the wrong spot. 25-28 a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. So there, yeah, you're I guess your defenses are weakened, you're you're vulnerable to attack from the enemy, right? Um the the enemy that seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Um I didn't have that verse in here, but it came to mind, so that was that's good. Um and then uh with the idea of gentleness is not weakness, uh, if we think of Moses, who we have talked about in a previous episode. Um sorry, let me just get in Numbers chapter twelve, verse three, um says, now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. Um and I know that's something like meekness as well, I think would fit in with gentleness. And I in early in my faith journey, I thought meekness meant weakness, but it does not. Um now I'm gonna feel like I need to define it, but I I didn't find anything to to do that. But uh, if you guys do a little bit of your own research, um meekness does not equal weakness. Um as we know the the story of Moses, he confronted Pharaoh, um, led easier led Israel out of Egypt, um, and and he spoke with God at the burning bush, right? Um that like Moses' life, him being meek, um, which I think is synonymous, loosely synonymous with gentleness, he he exhibits that gentleness can coexist with bold obedience um to God and and and bold leadership as well. Um again with the idea of gentleness reflecting the character of Christ, um Matthew 11 29 we talked about already. Um he was gentle, he is gentle. Um he has a gentle heart, like he says in that verse. But he's also authoritative. Uh he corrects, he confronts, and he disciplines without losing control. Um thinking of Jesus fashioning a whip, flipping tables, driving people out in the temple, right? Um that's John chapter two. John chapter two verses thirteen to sixteen. And I'll just read that because that is uh the account of Jesus cleansing the temple. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons and the money changers sitting there, and making a whip of cords he drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and he told those who sold the pigeons, take these things away, do not make my father's house a house of trade. Um so yeah, that just talks about the uh so I think the reason he did that was because where they had the uh those merchants, obviously they were they were selling those things so that people could sacrifice them in the temple. Um and the like people were coming from far away, um, so they didn't have to uh you know carry their own animals and stuff like that. They could just come and and and buy sacrifices basically. They didn't have to do any of the work. But also, um, I read in my commentary uh in my study bible as well that there's like uh like where the merchants were was like kind of the surround like the outside of the temple. It wasn't in the temple per se, it was like courtyards. Um and that's where the Gentiles were allowed to worship. Um, anyone who was a non-Jew was not allowed inside the temple, so um anyone that was not Jewish was allowed to worship outside the temple or in the temple um courtyards or what whatever it was called. So um I think I knew that before, but making that distinction now was that was interesting for me. But uh all that to say, uh I think I don't know for sure, but I don't know that Jesus was you know flying off the handle and you know yelling and screaming and looking like a liberal a blue hair, no, anyway.

SPEAKER_03 33:02

Uh so we're gonna go there today, eh? Yeah, sorry.

Why Gentleness Matters In Relationships

Craig 33:09

Um but uh he you know he takes the time to take cord and fashion a whip. He's he's calm, he's collected, and he's maybe I'm sure he wrote raised his voice. He's like, get out. Um but anyway, there I think there's a time for both, and um I don't know if you I don't know if he was necessarily gentle in that time. I mean, yeah. That's you can weigh in on that, I'm not sure. But I I just with this gentleness, I'm like, I kept thinking of this situation, and I'm like, was he gentle there? I don't know.

Colton 33:55

Yeah, that's interesting. I it kind of came across my mind too when we were going through this all because anyone who reads that would think, you know, Jesus was doing it out of anger, but I think I don't know how I go about that one because the whip.

Craig 34:17

I'm just thinking, I wonder if the whip was actually meant for the animals because he drove out the animals as well as the merchants, right?

Colton 34:27

Right, yeah.

Craig 34:29

So likely, I mean you guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but uh I wonder if he was, you know, like a cattle prod, right? You just whip the back end of the animal to get them going. And it wasn't like whoopsh, whoopsh, like whipping at people, which is kind of the the the vision I get I got in my mind until I started kind of reading this. And actually, right now I'm just like, I wonder if that was for the animals, not for the people.

Colton 34:59

Yeah, that is interesting because I mean if you're when it says driving people out, that doesn't sound like necessarily uh a gentle act. No, like that sounds pretty um what's the word? Pretty like direct, pretty firm, pretty uh I don't know if invasive would be the right word, but like Jesus went in there with a purpose to you know clean the temple from these people trading and doing business.

Craig 35:38

Uh so that people can worship in in his father's house, right?

Colton 35:45

Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what else I would say about that. I mean, when you think about discipline, right? I mean we still need to be disciplined if we do things that are wrong. And maybe sometimes to us it doesn't look gentle, but I think Jesus would have had self-control the whole time, but he was upset because his father's house was being used for something that it was not intended for. Right. And so, you know, I mean there could have been a sense of gentleness in the fact that, you know, maybe he could have really let loose and you know, really done some damage. But again, I think it comes down to the fact that I think Jesus would have had self-control in that situation where he would have been able to, you know, be upset and and try and get rid of what was wrong, but not yeah, still do it with somewhat gentleness, I guess. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, I you know, I would have to do some more research on that because I I'm yeah, I'm not even a hundred percent sure what I would think about that.

Craig 37:10

That was a tough one for me to think of, if they're think on. So I thought I'd um also make it tough for you guys to think about.

Colton 37:20

Yeah, well, how about that? How about you guys listening? We have uh a chat option, or we have our Facebook page. Let us know what your thoughts are. Maybe um maybe that's something that we'll have to do a little bit of uh research on and maybe listen to a few podcasts and sermons on that one for next week. Kind of curious about that.

Craig 37:45

Yeah, it's different. I yeah, I kind of ran out of time to try and see like yeah, I don't know how how that exhibits gentleness because he is gentleness, or he is gentle, but also at the same time there's um well like in your uh your reference to Peter cutting off the ear as well, right? Um what verse is that?

Colton 38:23

I'm not sure what verse that is. I'm just thinking too though, like every situation calls for something different, right? Like not yeah, I mean you think about think about David and Goliath, for example. That that was not that was I that wasn't gentle. No, I I wouldn't say, but I mean you think about how God was with David to take down this giant, right? I mean when circumstances call for measures like that, I I I don't know, I guess the question would be is Jesus gentle in everything that he does? Because Jesus is gentleness, but does he show gentleness in every every act like this? I don't know. We yeah, like I say, we'd be getting into some questions I think that we should probably research a little bit more. But like I say, those of you listening, uh, let us know your thoughts. I'd I would love to know your opinions on this or what you guys think about that, actually.

Craig 39:43

Right. Um as well as uh I was just trying to think, like it seemed to me that uh somewhere around that verse, um Jesus had said there's like a a time for that, but I'm not seeing that now. He just said, uh, shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? Like put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? Meaning Jesus knew, okay, this is it. The time is now. This is, you know, I'm being taken. This is this is it. I'm going to the cross, kind of thing. He knew what he what his job was, but uh yeah. Um anyway. Uh there was something else that I was thinking as well. Oh, um the verse about sparing the rod as well, if we're talking about discipline, right?

Colton 40:51

Yeah. Yeah. And that's why I say, like, maybe not every situation is meant to be gentle, right? I think there's situations that call for a little bit more um sorry, maybe a little less gentleness and a little more firmness, I would say.

Parenting: Discipline With Calm And Care

Craig 41:12

Yeah. So that's a proverb as well, Proverbs 1324. I just I won't go there because I have my fingers in other places for further on in my notes. Not part of the notes, this is rabbit trail stuff. Stay with us here. Um Proverbs 1324. Um, whoever spares the rod hates their children. So there is a time for discipline. So we're not um, yes, we are to be gentle with our children, um, but and with everyone, and but I think there's also a time um where gentleness needs to be put aside and we need to be firm. So I'm thinking like these these attributes, these fruits of the spirit, are not necessarily things that are exhibited in our lives 24-7. I guess is kind of the conclusion I'm coming to. There, there are things that we should exhibit, but there's times for each thing, and there's um yeah, times to exhibit each of these traits, and then also times to not, I guess. But still, like the discipline thing, that's out of love, right? If you're disciplining children, you're doing so out of love. So love is also uh fruit of the spirit.

Colton 42:36

So it's I was gonna say we can't can't forget about the rest of the fruit of fruits of the spirit, they're they're all still in there.

Craig 42:43

Yeah, as long as you're on that tree, that you know, there's a fruit there somewhere for you. Uh okay. The other thing I had uh for what is gentleness um is that uh that it shows in how we treat others. Right. Uh if we're gentle, it uh it kind of governs how we how we talk to people and uh you know how we treat people. So for that I just had uh Titus chapter three verses one and two. Um remember them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, uh to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy towards all people. So um yeah, that's just in how we should act towards all people. Have gentleness, courtesy, no quarreling, speak evil of no one. Um think those things are kind of exhibit gentleness, I guess.

Colton 44:13

Yeah, I like that.

Craig 44:16

I think that's well put. Well, uh, thank you.

Colton 44:22

Um, yeah, I think that kind of leads us into our next question here a little bit, or did you have somewhere you were in touch on there?

Craig 44:30

Nope, that's all I got for that. So we can go into our next question.

Colton 44:35

Okay, so again, we're following the same questions for the fruits of the spirit here. So our our next question on this one is why is gentleness important? Um, I think it's important because it shows our kids, kids, how they are to be as they grow up, how to treat women with gentleness, how to treat their siblings with gentleness, how to be gentle-spirited, and um I think it's uh there's just an importance to that. And so along those lines, I have this verse, um, it's talking about well, it's first Peter chapter three, and I got uh verse four written down. But I'm gonna read, I think go read from verse one, it gives us a bit of context as to what's going on here. Uh wives in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands, so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives. When they see the purity and reverence of your lives, your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. And so I chose this verse because it says that is of great value in God's sight. And uh I think that's important to follow if God sees value in that, um, then that's something that we should seek after. And so to me, gentleness is very important, right? Um, gentleness and how we treat our wives, gentleness and how our wives treat us and how we treat our kids, and in everyday life, um just showing the people around us what gentleness is, right? And if that's uh if that's a fruit of the spirit and that's something that Jesus exhibited, then by exhibiting that as well, I think people who maybe don't believe are going to see that and see that there's something different about us. Because in this world today, um it lacks, I would say, every fruit of the spirit, even as Christians. I think often we lack the fruits of the spirit. But if we can strive and uh to I guess show the fruits of the spirit more and and let the Holy Spirit work in us in that way, I think maybe we'll be a brighter light up on a hill and um less of a light under a lampstand, I guess, or under a bowl, if that's how you want to put it.

SPEAKER_03 47:31

Yeah, however it goes.

Colton 47:33

Yep, that's right.

Make Truth Receivable With Soft Answers

Craig 47:36

Yeah, I like that. Um I have a couple things. Uh I think maybe you touched on this in a different verse, but I have uh gentleness builds trust. And uh so if we yeah, so gentleness um creates safety, I think. Like if you're like in your relationships with other people, if you're harsh uh towards people, um that breeds a fear, I think, and people are are not trustworthy of you if you're harsh with them. Um whereas if you're gentle with people, then um then they feel safe coming to you. Um and I think that's that would exhibit how how Christ is too. Like, um but uh the verse I have is Proverbs 15:1. It says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Um I didn't have this in my notes, but if you think even back to like you know, to your school age days, uh way back here. Yeah, um I'm just this is kind of the easiest um easiest parallel to make here, I think. But if if you think of people bullying or being mean to you or whatever, um I don't know, like I was always told, you know, kill kill them with kindness, or um you know, if you it's like if you don't fight back or be mean back or whatever, then the bully gets bored kind of thing, right? So I think so. If they're being harsh towards you and and you are soft towards them, then they're like, oh well, you're no fun to engage with on leaving. And I think you see that. I I've been I think it's abolitionist rising, is what the um the group is, but I see a lot of their reels on my Facebook and my Instagram and stuff like that. And they're out there, they have these you know poster boards or whatever with um like engaging sayings or whatever, and sometimes it's um pretty gruesome, like pictures of aborted babies, whatever. And they're they're they're out there trying to engage in the public and spark conversation, and um, because as you guys know, listening, or the ones that are believers anyway, you know that the general populace um is just numb to what an abortion actually is, and and you know, they've been fed lies, just a clump of cells, it's not not a human, all those sorts of things. Anyway, so what I'm trying to say is you see these guys out there, and you know, there's people that kick at them and try steal their signs and knock their cameras over and and yell at them and spit at them, and and um because they're just trying to share the truth. But these guys are always you know calm and collected, and um they don't raise their voices at the people that are heckling them, um, they say, like, hey, you can't do that, like that's destruction of property, that's a crime, like um, things like that, and um and they and they call people out on their um you know illogical thinking and stuff like that, but they do it in a kind way and and in a soft way, and oftentimes you see these people, um they just turn around, they don't want to engage. Whereas if you're gonna yell back at them, then I think if it's like yelling, yelling, yelling, yelling, they'll stay there and yell at you for hours. They love it. Oh, yeah. Yeah, but if you're if if you're calm and you're soft with them, and you just plainly state the truth, then um they go away. Or they calm down, come to your level, and engage in conversation. Sometimes, but not all the time, that's not very often, yeah. Um, yeah, so uh what else do I have here? Um just uh on along that line as well, with the parenting topic. If you think of you know, parenting your children, when you discipline them harshly versus when you discipline them softly, how how well do they respond in each circumstance, right? Um yeah, I find that when I discipline harshly, then they are like a lot of times the situation is already elevated. They're upset, I'm upset. If I discipline and I'm angry, which I know you shouldn't do, don't discipline when you're angry, take a breather. But something I struggle with. And yeah, anyway, so if I'm if I'm disciplining harshly, uh it never goes well. But if I like you know, calm down, de-escalate the situation, and just have a conversation, it's like, hey, why are you doing this? Then everything kind of settles down and they settle down, and yeah, and then you can like the older ones you can kind of have a conversation with and reason with and be like, smart enough. But yeah, sometimes it's like, hey, you're young, I told you no, swat to the butt, you know, and then give them a hug and say, I don't like doing this, do you? Do you like it when I you know spank your butt?

SPEAKER_03 54:08

No.

Craig 54:09

Okay, well, I don't like it either. So can you just listen to me, please?

Colton 54:14

I was gonna say something on that topic too. I I know lots of times what we'll do is if um if I you know if I'm trying to deal with the kids and same thing, I'll I'll get you know a little more upset than I should. Rather than me dealing with it, I'll just tell Brienne. And I think we've mentioned this before, but I'll tell Brienne, like, hey, I'm not I'm not in the right headspace to be doing this right now. Like, I'm I'm a little bit upset. I can't I can't deal with them right now because it's not gonna be out of a loving um out of love and gentleness. It's gonna be, you know, out of anger. So please take this over. I'm gonna go walk it off for a bit and then I'm gonna come back. And it works pretty good just because you know I think gives you time to cool off and think about what you're doing and and how to how to discipline them, right? I think we need to be careful how we yeah, how we discipline and raise our kids in that way, too. And and again, gentleness is so important there because if you're always yelling and screaming at the kids and you know, you never deal with them gently, I mean that can affect them for their whole adulthood, especially if it's a sensitive child. Um it can yeah, it can really mess things up for them and uh give them you know self-confidence issues and all kinds of stuff.

How We Grow In Gentleness Practically

Craig 55:47

Yeah, we gotta be we gotta be careful, but yeah, yeah, absolutely. I know it's hard sometimes. Um anyway, yeah, but yeah, it uh I think gentleness also lightens burdens, like we talked about in our anchor verse. Jesus invites the weary um to him and promises rest. Um I think like it says uh take my yoke. Uh my yoke is what is it, easy and my burden is light, or something like that. Um yeah, yeah. Uh so in that um line of thinking, I think gentle people don't add unnecessary weight to others. So we don't put shame on other people, we don't put condemnation on other people, we don't escalate conflict like I talked about already. Um you don't stir up anger in other people. Um we try to try to bring comfort to other people um with gentleness. And absolutely um yeah, and lastly on this question, um I have I think if we are dealing with people in gentleness, it makes the truth of the gospel receivable as well to them. If we're being harsh with people and we're you know, you see or you hear anyway, I don't know how many people do this anymore, but um, I know I heard a story of somebody, they were I don't know if they were in Hawaii or Mexico or I don't know, somewhere anyway. There was like a street evangelist or street preacher, but he was one of the ones like yelling at people like you're going to hell, and like that's gonna push people away. Don't do that. Yeah, yes, you're speaking truth, but you're you're not doing it in a loving way.

Colton 58:15

Um, no, so we don't want to purposely make people angry.

Craig 58:20

No, that's right. That's not that's not the gospel. Um if we go to Second Timothy chapter two, if I can get there, verses twenty-four to twenty six says and the Lord's servant uh and the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, uh correcting his opponents with gentleness, like we talked about, um dealing with people like those uh abolitionist people. Um God may perhaps grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth. Uh twenty-six, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will. So if we are if we are not being quarrelsome, we're being kind to everyone, um and if we're able to teach and patiently enduring evil, I think that's what these um these people uh campaigning um like these abortive. Abolitionists. I just really commend them for what they're doing. I think this is exactly what they're doing. They're patiently enduring evil. They're out there. They're getting spit on, they're getting yelled at, they're getting kicked, they're getting all that just to share the truth and try to just bring the light um to the world. And um correcting opponents with gentleness. So they're the lies that our opponents' opponents believe, um we need to be correcting them, yes, but correct them with gentleness. Um that uh God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Um I think if we're doing it harshly, uh like you're kind of you're you're doing the the the opposite of what we're supposed to be doing for the kingdom.

Colton 1:01:06

Um I think that goes back to that Romans 2, verse 4, too, where it's uh kindness and patience, kindness, forbearance, and patience are uh meant to lead you to repentance. You know, I think it's along the same lines, and I like how that verse you shared, it says opponents, right? It doesn't say friends, it doesn't say family, it says opponents, you know, the people who you're kind of going against, those are the people that are um we are meant to be gentle towards. And I mean, it makes sense. You look at the world, and when when Christians say something, I mean I feel like Christians, in a sense, are kind of under the gun for what we say and what we believe, because a lot of people will disagree, a lot of people put us down for what we say, but if we do it, you know, like you say, if we do it without gentleness, it just makes it that much worse, right? And then people, you know, I feel like people point fingers at Christians too and say, oh, well, you talk about this, but you live this way, or you talk about gentleness, but you're not gentle, you're quite rude when you deal with this, or you know, even if we've had a bad day or something, you know, we gotta think about those things. People are still watching us, you know, we're meant to um show the love of Christ everywhere we go, be gentle like Jesus was, and people notice. And if we're not, you know, I'm I mean, one thing I'm gonna say to everybody listening to is even as Christians, we're we're all human, we make mistakes, we're not perfect, we talk about these things um not because we feel that the world needs it more than we do, but because we all need it, you know, gentleness being a part of that too. Craig and I aren't here talking about it to condemn people or to make you, you know, shame people into this. We struggle with it just as much as the next guy. You know, it's something that we need to work on together, but we talk about these things that um I guess everybody is on the same page and clear as to you know what what God is calling them to, and we just hope that maybe those of you who don't know God yet will will come to him and see his love and gentleness that he has in his heart for you too.

Craig 1:03:29

Yeah. I think this uh Second Timothy verse, um I think that's one of my new favorite.

Colton 1:03:40

I do like that one. Yeah, I I like it, yeah.

Reflect Before You React In Public Life

Craig 1:03:44

Uh, and like you said, especially with the things going on in the world right now that like yeah, we as Christians are are are like you said under the gun. In some cases, literally. And uh it's uh it's a hard thing because like those people's hearts are hard, and yeah, they've been given they've been given over to their desires, and all we can do is share the truth with them, share Jesus with them, and pray for them, pray that the Holy Spirit would um would soften their hearts and and that they would come to him. But I mean, not everyone is going to, we know that, right? So yeah, um absolutely, yeah. So uh with all that being said, how do how do we get it, Colton? How do we get gentleness?

Colton 1:04:48

All right, well, I didn't specifically have a verse for this section, but I think it's pretty straightforward. I got a couple points on this one. First of all, I think, like the verses we've read tonight, I just said I don't have any verses for it. I guess the verses we've already talked about talk about this. Anyways, my first point being I think we need to mirror the personality and characteristics of Jesus. The more we seek him, the more we desire to be like him. I think the more gentle we will become. Uh, and then second point, I think we gotta let the Holy Spirit work in us. We need to realize that we are not perfect, that we have issues, that um, you know, as the Bible says, again, I didn't I said I didn't have any verses prepared, but one I'm thinking of is um take the plank out of your own eye before you worry about the speck in your brother's eye. I don't know the exact reference in the Bible where that's from, but I think that's uh very important on being gentle. You know, we need to focus on what we're doing wrong and not always what everybody else is doing wrong. Again, that's something the world teaches us, the Bible teaches us otherwise, and I think that's a step in becoming more gentle with people and learning how to live out gentleness. So that would be my opinion. Um, I think that would be yeah, the best way to go about becoming a gentle person.

Craig 1:06:30

Yeah, I like that. I guess I this isn't gonna work for the people that aren't watching. I'm doing air quotes. I don't have any verses for this either.

SPEAKER_03 1:06:44

Bunny ears. I I do what just bunny ears every time you do that. Bunny ears, bunny ears, yeah.

Craig 1:06:55

Um so uh I think I have some of the same points here uh as you. Um so the first one is learn learning from Jesus. Um gentleness is learned through a relationship with Jesus and uh and having the Holy Spirit in us and guiding us. Um and uh it's not purely on our own effort, I don't think, uh like a lot of these fruits of the spirit, it's not our on our own will that these things are present in our lives, it's through a relationship with uh Jesus. Um and then just a note, you become like who you spend time with, you know, in the whole in the business world, there's you are the sum of the five people that you spend the most time with. Um make Jesus one of those people.

Colton 1:07:58

Um second point I have is walk by the spirit. Sorry. Sorry, I was just gonna say quick, I I really like that point. That's something I've been thinking about lately a lot is uh the Bible speaks about how we're not just supposed to believe in Jesus, because even the demons believe in Jesus, but how we are supposed to have a relationship with him, you know, treat him like a friend, talk with him, pray to him. Yeah, I know I really like that point you made there. Sorry, I just had to jump in and say that.

Craig 1:08:34

All good, appreciate it. Um yeah, so the second point is uh walking by the spirit, which I kind of touched on, and I think you talked about as well, letting the Holy Spirit uh guide you. Um so just before our uh like our main verse there, Galatians 5, 22 and 23, there's actually Galatians 5.16 that says, But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the disires of the flesh. Um for the desires of the fresh flesh are against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, uh to keep you from doing the things you want to do. So actually that was sixteen and seventeen. But I think that's uh good to keep in mind as well. And then as we've I've stated the last few times, the last few episodes, um these fruit of the spirit, they're called fruit for a reason. They're produced, they're nurtured, um, and uh like the Holy Spirit is the life-giving force for those fruit to be grown in us. Um and then of course we're gonna talk about this next week, but practicing self-control uh before reacting in different circumstances. Um in James.

Colton 1:10:22

We should start to have uh challenges, actually. You know that challenges, yeah. Like monthly or weekly challenges. Learn all the books of the Bible.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:36

Oh, yeah, okay.

Colton 1:10:38

Memorize a couple verses.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:39

You know what?

Colton 1:10:40

That's a great idea. I love it. Yep. That's not a bad idea. Um those of you listening can join in too, actually, if you want.

Restore With Gentleness And Bear Burdens

Craig 1:10:52

Yeah, that's right. Uh okay. Uh James chapter one, verses 19 and 20. Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. I think we've touched on that in a previous episode. Um but when we are slow to speak and slow to anger, um, if we just take a breather in the circumstances that are that might make us angry, um, then we can be we can take a second to be more gentle. Um and that made me think of um another pastor, uh I think it's the Live Free podcast, uh Josh Howerton. I don't know if you know who that is. But I don't think so. Um he was talking about this uh you know about this uh Renee Good, this ICE uh protester that was shot. Yeah, yeah. So he was kind of reacting to that situation um like on the podcast, and they were kind of talking about it. And he said, we as Christians need to reflect before we react. And I mean, this obviously is a tragic situation. It's tragic when anyone gets shot, anyone gets killed. Doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum you're on. Um so either way, it sucks that that happened. But um when that news came out, there was one camera angle, right? It looked like um it looked like it was like, oh, was that justified? Was that ICE officer actually justified in shooting her? Um, and then a couple days later, the other, you know, the other camera angles came out from different people filming on their cell phones, or a even a CC TV, maybe like there's a actually pretty good angle of it. You can see that yeah, she was like shoot she hit him. And uh so as unfortunate as that is, um I think we as Christians need to not do what um I mean it just seems like faith and politics is is really intertwined these days. So um Christian conservative, which is what I would call myself, um typically, you know, the conservatives, we we see a situation like that and we kind of analyze it. We're like, uh is that what happened? Like, what actually happened? I need some more information before I can actually speak on this or ha form my opinion on this situation. Whereas the the left, they will go, hmm, and right away, it's like, oh, this was not justified. We need to do an investigation, and um, I mean, yes, do an investigation, make sure everything was done properly. I don't disagree with that, but they're all up in arms saying that the the ICE agent was wrong for shooting her and it was unjustified. But then once you get all the pieces, you put all the pieces together, um, you see that that was not the case. And you know, the news took it, ran with it. Politicians took it, ran with it. People on social media took it, ran with it. Um, and um I think if as a society we just take a step back when things like this happen, reflect, um, gather all the information, and then um put out our opinion. Doesn't matter what your opinion is, um, but make sure you have all the facts. Uh that doesn't quite tie into doesn't quite tie into gentleness, but that like the reflect before you react thing um is just I think it's very uh relevant.

Colton 1:15:26

So that'll tie into what we talk about next week, too. One thing I would recommend as Christians too is don't get your first source of information off of social media. Um that's one thing I have found very, very unreliable because people can tell you anything on social media and it can take off whether it's a lie, whether it's the truth. Um, you know, at times I've been tempted to just eliminate all social media because it seems like it's such a distraction, maybe, I guess, or such um something that just misleads you in a lot of ways. So it's it's definitely across my mind to just eliminate it. But yeah, I would recommend not not using social media as your first source of uh information when it comes to things like that. Like Craig said, you know, take a bit of time, don't don't react right away. I know sometimes it's easy. Uh again, you know, um, as a lot of you know, this thing with Alberta, the referendum, and all the signatures they're trying to get and stuff. Uh, there's a lot of stuff on social media going around about that too, right? Where some people think Albertans are crazy for thinking this way. Some people are all for it, you know. There's uh there's people on both sides of the fence, but it's it gets to be so unhealthy to think like that, you know. I think we need to just live day by day, enjoy it, you know, stop worrying about what other people think and what what the next thing is you can argue about. I mean, sometimes I feel like putting my two cents worth in too, but it doesn't help anything because pretty soon gentleness goes out the window, and then it's all about I'm right and my pride, and I'm gonna beat you and you're gonna beat me. Yeah, it's not worth it, just don't do it.

Weekly Encouragement And Real-Life Witness

Craig 1:17:31

Yeah, it's uh yeah, that's another situation that's kind of um kind of crazy. But uh yeah, yeah, I think if we ask ourselves um the like the way you want to respond, is is your response loving, um, or is it true? I mean the truth will be loving as well, whether whether your opponent thinks it's loving or not, if you know, especially if you're like, hey, um, like this is what the Bible says, is what God says. Yeah, if they're wanting to live contrary to that, they're gonna think it's not loving. But you're like, hey, I wanna share this with you because I love you. And I especially with like family family members, for me, it's like, I want to see you in heaven, you know. I don't want you to to go to hell. I'd I'd like to, you know, praise the Lord with you in heaven for eternity. That would be pretty cool, but I mean ultimately it's your choice. Um, so yeah, I think um also another point that I have here, which we kind of talked about with the the yoke. Um, that's like carrying um helping carry a burden, right? So um uh I think let's see. I should have went here while you were talking and I didn't, but that's okay. Oh, no problem, that's all good. So Galatians six. Oh, that's funny. I had my little ribbon, it was right there because that's right after our name. Anyway, could have found it pretty quick. Um Galatians six one to two. Um this is interesting. Brothers. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourselves. Uh keep watch on yourself, lest you two be tempted, bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. So um I think we should obviously it says we should uh let's read that again. Yeah, to help restore brothers, like it says brothers, so this is talking about um fellow Christians, I believe. So if anyone is caught in transgression, um to res we should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Uh and then also to keep watch over ourselves so that we do not fall into temptation as well. Um that's a hard one too, if you have a brother that's struggling with something. Um sometimes I think if someone's dealing with something and it's it's tough, it's uh it can be easy to want to I guess mirror the way they're feeling and agree with them the way they're feeling. And if the way they're feeling, the way they're acting, um, is contrary to um how they should be living as a Christian, obviously do it in gentleness, but um try and help restore them in that and and to try not to you know get sucked into their transgression as well, I think is what that's saying. But uh yeah, to carry the burdens of others, but we also have to be careful to not fall into those things ourselves. Um yeah, I think yeah, that's all I have for how do we get gentleness?

Colton 1:22:14

Yeah, I think that's all I have too. I think with that, um yeah, we just want to encourage you guys this week to to be more gentle, to think about it, you know, think about it before you react to something. Um, think about it. You know, something as simple as fueling up your truck or going to get groceries, right? There's always people watching, um, whether you think so or not, and uh how we react to certain things is going to at the end of the day sometimes make an impact on somebody's life, whether you think it will or not. So our encouragement for you this week is to dig into the word, guys. Um just like us, learn how to be gentle, seek Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life, to work in you and through you, and um to impact those around you. So from there, I think we yeah. Go ahead, you were gonna say something.

Craig 1:23:24

I was just gonna say that uh now I might have lost it. Um what did you just say?

Colton 1:23:36

Um through us. Before that. Seek God, seek Christ.

SPEAKER_02 1:23:46

Before that.

Colton 1:23:48

Uh but being gentle when we go to the grocery store or fuel up our truck, people are always watching us.

What’s Next And Community Support

Craig 1:23:56

Yes, that's the one. So I was I was just gonna say, you think uh I don't know if it's funny or sad, but it's humorous either way. If you you know you're in traffic or whatever, or or traveling down the highway, or um you see these people road rage or you know, flip you the bird, or if you're on the highway, they are like mad at you, and then they pull out and then they flip you the bird, and then once they pass you, you see there's a Jesus facial on their bumper.

SPEAKER_03 1:24:35

Oh it's like yeah, you are misrepresenting us so hard right now.

Colton 1:24:42

Oh, know something funny? I've thought about putting a verse or something on my truck, and then I'm like, I should probably get a handle on my driving in anger first. Right, it's probably a good first step.

Craig 1:24:56

Yeah, I think so. It's uh yeah, anyway. I I'm sure you guys have run into that dude, but it's like you just shake your head. It's like, do you forget that's there? Or um, do you not care? Or is this a used vehicle and you don't know what it means?

SPEAKER_03 1:25:13

Like all of the above, all of the above, none of the above, some of the above, yeah.

Craig 1:25:21

Anyway, um, yeah, the I can let that close us out. Um yeah, next week we're gonna talk about uh what is it?

Colton 1:25:35

Yeah, next week we're gonna talk about some self-control. So that's the last fruit of the spirit we're gonna talk about. Yeah. And then Craig and I are gonna switch things up a little bit, I think. I'm not sure what our first topic's gonna be. We still have to kind of figure some of that out, but um we want to change things up a little bit, and so we have a few things, exciting things coming your way. Hopefully, uh yeah, hopefully the next few episodes are are gonna be good. And um, yeah, keep joining in and listening, and we hope to hit a few of the harder topics. Um things I think that uh that need to be talked about that maybe aren't talked about very often, things like hell, things like abortion, um you know, the gays and lesbians thing, um salvation, drugs, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Yes, all of the above once again, yeah. But that is the plan, anyways, guys. So we don't a hundred percent know our direction, but um, yeah, we have some exciting things coming. So again, uh, if you could pray for us, that would be absolutely wonderful and greatly appreciated because um we're not always, I know for myself, I'm not always the greatest speaker, but uh I think every time I say that I think of Moses and Aaron and what God tells Moses. So, you know, it's not us who speaks, it's the Holy Spirit through us. So um if you guys could pray for us and uh pray that we would learn the truth and and be able to bring it in a way that would um just be beneficial to everybody listening, um, but also to Craig and I that we would learn and our hearts would change because of what we're researching, what we're studying, and that God would just bring to the table um what needs to be talked about. And with that, I think we are finished with this episode, guys. So again, we would love to close out in prayer. I don't know, uh, you want me to take over and pray, Craig, or do you want to pray on this one?

Craig 1:28:02

Uh you could if you want. I did last time, I think. But uh before we do, I wanna I just want to do a shout out. I'm not gonna mention a name, but um there's a couple that uh listen to the podcast. I know they're behind, so by the time they hear this, it'll probably be like, I don't know, a month or two from now. I'm not sure.

Colton 1:28:26

But um that's your sign to catch up. I'm just kidding.

Craig 1:28:30

Yeah, that's right. And that yeah, so actually, here's my challenge to you guys: you know who you are. Tell me when you've heard this episode, and we'll see how far down the line. Anyway, um you got it, it was just really encouraging to um get some feedback and um just hear that the the things that the words that God is giving us to share with you guys about these things, they it seems like sometimes they are just timely in some of your lives, and that is extremely encouraging to us. So I just want to thank that couple for sharing that with us. And uh I'm gonna get emotional here, but I just really appreciate you guys. And uh um sometimes it's like, well, is uh is this even getting is this even getting used um by God uh to further his kingdom? But um it sounds like it is. So um yeah, thank you for for expressing that to us and uh anybody else that if if there's something that we've talked about that's touched you, uh let us know. Uh we'd love to hear it and we'd love to pray for you. Um and uh like Colton said, continue to pray for us as well as we prepare to to talk about these things and make sure that you know the the ears are there that need to hear these messages and that the Lord would give us the right words to say that need to meet you guys where you're at. So that's all I have to say.

Closing Prayer And Listener Invitation

Colton 1:30:16

I do want to say too, guys, every time we we want to encourage you to reach out to us, you know. Um, like we always say, we'd love to go for coffee. Uh, I do have to apologize. I know we've had a couple people reach out to uh to do that. Um seems like we're quite busy quite often. So uh for those of you that have reached out and it hasn't worked out yet, I am truly sorry. We will try to make something happen in the future here. And um for those maybe who haven't reached out yet but want to, definitely feel free. Um we have our Facebook page. I mean, if you want our cell phone numbers, ask for it on our Facebook page. I'd be more than happy to give my number out. Um, and yeah, we'd love to just hang out and uh in between our busy schedules. I mean, things have picked up here pretty pretty good the last little while. So we'll uh we'll try and carve a time out of our our week that we can sit down with uh you guys and and something that works for you as well. So with that, uh we are going to close in prayer and um yeah, go on with our evening here. So all right, let's pray. Thank you, Father, again for this day, Lord. We thank you for the freedom that we have to come together and and do this podcast for Craig and I, Lord, and we pray for just ourselves, Lord, that you would continue to work in our hearts, work in our minds, um, speak through us, Holy Spirit. Uh, let the words coming out of our mouths not be ours, but be yours, Lord, and help us to glorify you in all that we do through this podcast, Lord, and and through what we do in our everyday life. Father, we know this world world is hurting, this world is in a dark place, Lord. Uh, there's a lot of people who don't know you, a lot of people who don't care to know you, and a lot of people who um hate you and hate the people that follow you. But Lord, I pray for those people specifically, Father, just soften their hearts, um, take the shell off the outside of their heart, Lord, so that you could just be present with them and that they would um maybe even for the first time just experience your presence and love that you have for them, Lord. Pray, Father, uh, about gentleness, as that was our our topic today. I just ask that you would help to teach us to be more gentle, help us to strive to be more like you, Jesus, as you are a perfect example of all the fruits of the Spirit, and help us just to shine our lights for the world to see, Lord. Um, help us not to hide it under a bowl, but help us to realize that wherever we are, Lord, we are on a hilltop, and we need to let that light shine as brightly as we can because what matters in this life is preparing for eternity and trying to share your love with everybody else so they can be prepared for eternity as well. We pray for this week, Lord, give us peace. Uh, help us to have love in our hearts this week, and um as we prepare for the next episode, Holy Spirit, just give us the words and verses that need to be said to reach the people you need to reach. We just pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.

Craig 1:33:54

Thank you for that. And uh Colton said, reach out to us. Uh yeah, if you have our numbers, text us, uh, call us. If not, like you said, uh, we're pretty active on our Facebook page, so if you want to DM us there or use the text us option in the show notes, you can get a hold of us that way as well. With that, um, thank you guys for listening. Sticking it out for another longer one. Appreciate you guys. Um, God bless. Have a good week. See you guys.