In many cultures, and especially in the world of business, gentleness is seen as weakness.  Of course, it is valued in the caring professions: nobody appreciates a rough nurse or harsh child-care worker.  But gentleness almost seems out of place in the traditionally strong roles in construction or corporate management, or in the nuanced power structures of the professions or academia.  However, the Bible says otherwise.  Gentleness is the strong characteristic of God Himself (Zechariah 9:9).  It was part of Jesus' nature (Matthew 11:29), and is one of the qualities the Holy Spirit grows inside people who follow Jesus (Galatians 5:22).

This verse calls for God's powerful gentleness to be expressed.  It was the Apostle Paul's personal behaviour pattern (1 Thessalonians 2:7).  It is not enough to have a peaceful heart if our behaviour is hostile; or to believe Bible truths when others are in fear of our verbal or physical attacks.  Some think that if gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit then God will do it automatically in us.  But today's verse is a command to cooperate with God's Holy Spirit.  

God is working gentleness into us (Philippians 1:6), but we have to work it out with others (Philippians 2:12).  That requires a conscious agreement with God, a pledge to Him, that we want gentleness to be our normal mode of relationship.  That should precipitate another decision to curb aggression and practise being gentle with each person we meet, especially those who are hostile and aggressive – for the sake of the gospel (Philippians 2:14-16).

But gentleness is only possible if we know we are utterly secure.  Otherwise the instinct of self-preservation or the vice of self-advancement will take over.  Past experiences of being intimidated may have taught us to intimidate others, as a sort of self-defence.  But that ignores the fact that God loves us dearly and we are secure in Christ.  He is watching over us to do us good. Yes, we may become victims of wickedness; but so was Jesus, yet He never reviled those who abused Him (1 Peter 2:21-23).  Like Him, even in suffering, we are safe.  When Christ returns, He will be looking for people whose characters are like His.  So, the prospect of His second coming is a healthy motivation to practise the heaven-inspired art of gentleness, before you get there.  The workplace, with all its frustrations, pressure and excitement is an ideal place to do it!