We are continuing in the study of the mandate for believer's prayer in the PPOG. . Phil 4:6; 1Thes 5:17;

We are looking at Paul's prayers that are recorded in his letters we can better understand what we should pray for.

At the moment we are considering Paul's prayer for the spiritual growth of believers that was recorded in Phil 1:9-11;

In verse 11 Paul prays for believers to be filled with the "fruit of righteouseness."

This righteousness is produced in the believer by God when the believer is functioning in the spiritual life through the application of Bible Doctrine to experience under the mentorship of God the Holy Spirit.



We have seen that in the Phil 1:11; passage the production is viewed with regard to the quality of it's character as the “fruit of righteousness,” and in Gal 5:22, the same production is viewed with regard to it's source as the “fruit of the Spirit.”where details of it's characteristics are also described.



We are presently studying the 8th facet of the righteous production of the Holy Spirit in the believer which is generally translated "gentleness" in the NASB and meekness in the KJV and occassionally translated humility is the Greek word "prautes" which means gentleness, humility or meekness.

Last time we saw why Moses was referred to as gentle and that gentleness is exhibited as courage toward people and circumstances because of the confidence that comes from humility toward God and his delegated legitimate authority

Paul taught with gentleness 1Thes 2:7; NET and engaged those who disageed with him or dis not understand his teaching with gentleness 2Cor 10:1; 2Tim 2:7;

Gentleness as a facet of the righteous production of the Spirit in the believer is in direct opposition to the natural human tendancies of vanity and pride which is exhibited by outbursts of anger or violence which are the production of OSN.

Gentleness and meekness are put on by what God provides. Col 3:12. In this passage, the word translated "put on" is "Endysasthe" whch in the original language is either in the middle or the passive voice whch means the believer is the recipient of the action of the verb. this indicates that these qualities can only come from God's work in the believer.

The middle voice also indicates that the believer's volition to Receive, Retain and Recall Bible Doctrine is involved.

"Endysasthe" is also in the imperative mood in the original language so it is a mandate. The putting on of gentleness is also mandated in 1Tim 6:11, and James 1:21. where" prautes" is translated as "humility" rather than "gentleness" in the NASB.

These characteristics are "put on" because they are the graces that the believer has been given as a royal ambassador and a royal priest in their irrevokable position in union with TLJC which occured at the point of their salvation.... again position preceeds and enables function.

TLJC is the model for Gentleness Matt 11:28-30: which is the expression of humility in the soul. Phil 2:5-8; Luke 22:42;

He displayed righteous indignation and used force when it was appropriate, yet becasue of his gentleness it was always under control. Mark 3:5; John 2:15;

Jesus' gentleness was displayed as he deployed power under the Holy Spirit's control.

This stands in opposition to the false perception that Satan has deceived the world into believing regarding Jesus as a non-resisting pacifist and then infers that that is what believers also should be.

Remember as he was suffering the reproach of men Mark 10:34, he was simultaneously holding the universe together by the word of his power. Col 1:17; Heb 1;3;

He could have received the assistance of more than 12 legions of angels Matt 26:52-54;, but his gentle attitude was Luke 23:34;

Gentleness requires strength and is the opposite of abrasiveness; it is an inner power which flows from a confident strength that is the antithesis of arrogance.

The believer who is secure in God's love for them and their love for God does not need to intimidate but can be kind and gentle because they know that ultimately God will vindicate them in his time. Isa 54:17;

One who is humble before God and as a result receives from God the inner strength to be gentle and because of their confidence in God exhibit great strength and power under control.

When believers understand their position in truth and reside in it John 8:31-32; they can be gentle because ultimately the truth vindicates itself. 2Cor 13:8; and the believer who understands this can gently and patiently wait on God and his timing in the matter. James 4:10; ... the passive voice here should be translated "allow yourself to be humbled before the Master and he will promote you"

This gentle power is deployed as the believer appropriates and lives in God's power rather than their own. It comes out of the believer's cognizance of and contentment in weakness and inability. 2Cor 12:9-10;

Paul in Eph. 4:2; and Col. 3:12; refers to Gentleness directly after Humility.

Given this connection between Gentleness and Humility a brief discussion on humility is useful in this context.

The word generally translated Humble is from the Greek word "tapeinosis" and means to be low or flat or under.

The humble believer who is living inside the PPOG is under the legitimate authority of God the Holy Spirit and Bible Doctrine exhibits Gentleness and Patience.

Humility is freedom from the pride and the arrogance from residing in kosmic one of Satan's kosmic system, which is designed by Satan as the god of this world to lure both unbelievers and believers away from the PPOG for their lives. 1Tim 2:3-4;