I often become distressed these days when I watch the news.  Few people in Government or in the media seem concerned for the good of America but rather only want to promote their own agendas.  Combined with the moral decay of our country I sometimes find myself becoming discouraged and even angry.   The Holy Spirit has convicted me that this is an entirely wrong reaction for a Christian.  The Word of God gives us the proper way for a Christian to conduct themselves.  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” Ephesians 4:1-2.

“Humility” is a term that was not found in the Latin or Greek of Paul’s day.  The Greek word was apparently coined by Christians to describe a quality for which no other word was available.  This is the “poor of spirit” of Matthew 5:3, the opposite of self-sufficiency, a total reliance on and submission to God rather than ourselves.

“Gentleness” or meekness is the product of humility.  This is a person that is mild-spirited and self-controlled.  It is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5: 23.  A gentle person is submissive in every offense, while having no desire for revenge or retribution.

The word “patience”, also one of the fruits of the Spirit, in the Greek literally means “long-tempered”, and refers to a resolved patience that is an outgrowth of humility and gentleness.  “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord … Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged.” James 5: 7 and 9.  “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”  I Thessalonians 5: 14-15.

As Christians we should always strive to be humble, gentle and patient with everyone – no matter how they treat us or act.  We should “overcome evil with good” as Romans 12:21 instructs us to do.  We should always “seek to do good to one another and to everyone” as this glorifies God and testifies to our reliance only on Him.