gentleness fruit of Spirit vs rebuking

[Springpearl]

Hi all,

When God guides us through the fruit of the Spirit and asks us to be gentle with people, what about the part of the bible that tells us there's a time to rebuke people... and that is not gentle? So there are exceptions then?
Thank you!

 

[tablet123]

Hi all,

When God guides us through the fruit of the Spirit and asks us to be gentle with people, what about the part of the bible that tells us there's a time to rebuke people... and that is not gentle? So there are exceptions then?
Thank you!

Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

When we deal with people in our Christian walk to speak to them concerning the truth it depends on our motivation for doing so whether according to our flesh or the Spirit.

When we deal with people all our speech should be coming by the Spirit so if we rebuke and tell them to behave right it is coming from God's perspective on how He does not tolerate it which they are His commandments and He is the righteous Judge.

Like in the Old Testament when they said thus saith the LORD which this is what He is saying to you.

But if coming from our flesh to condemn, being arrogant, and like power telling them to act right then it is not right for we are a sinner saved by grace.

Which we can do from time to time arguing with each other, belittling, and being sarcastic, and looking down on people.

Which some people have pointed out bad behavior on Christian Chat on Youtube and elsewhere to where they left.

But some might have been sensitive and if you do not agree with them and they take is as an insult and threat.

Thus saith the LORD not thus saith me for the whole thing is of the Lord not me.

 

[Dino246]

Hi all,

When God guides us through the fruit of the Spirit and asks us to be gentle with people, what about the part of the bible that tells us there's a time to rebuke people... and that is not gentle? So there are exceptions then?
Thank you!

It is not difficult to rebuke someone gently.

 

[timf]

Gal_2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

I would see "rebuking" as something done rarely

A personal relationship with the other person.
An obvious and harmful infraction

The rebuke is more prominently described in reference to Israel and law keeping.

 

[pearlspring]

It is not difficult to rebuke someone gently.

Interesting view! It seems to be sometimes hard the way I was brought up not to raise my voice... perhaps the Holy Spirit can come in and convict me when I shouldn't be doing that.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

Hi all,

When God guides us through the fruit of the Spirit and asks us to be gentle with people, what about the part of the bible that tells us there's a time to rebuke people... and that is not gentle? So there are exceptions then?
Thank you!

Precious friend, these may be what you are searching for?:

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."​

(Romans 12:18 AV)​

​

"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing​

all meekness unto all men." (Titus 3:2 AV)​

​

"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do​

gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be​

gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing​

those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them​

repentance to the acknowledging of The Truth; And that they may​

recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken​

captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:23-26 AV)​

​

Seems like God Desires us to exhibit "gentleness to all", Guiding us according
To The Fruit of The Spirit.

​

Amen.

 

[Dino246]

Interesting view! It seems to be sometimes hard the way I was brought up not to raise my voice... perhaps the Holy Spirit can come in and convict me when I shouldn't be doing that.

There is a time to shout and a time to be quiet. Rebuking is best done with a calm demeanor where the force of the message is in the words, not the volume.

 

[LightBearer316]

Hi all,

When God guides us through the fruit of the Spirit and asks us to be gentle with people, what about the part of the bible that tells us there's a time to rebuke people... and that is not gentle? So there are exceptions then?
Thank you!

Great question, Springpearl — and one that shows real discernment.

The Bible doesn’t see gentleness and rebuke as opposites. Scripture calls us to do both, but to do them in the right spirit. Paul told Timothy to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV), but he also told him to be “gentle unto all men” (2 Timothy 2:24 KJV).

The key is that biblical rebuke comes from love, not pride or anger. Jesus rebuked sharply at times — but always to awaken repentance, never to wound. True gentleness isn’t weakness; it’s strength under control, guided by the Spirit.

So yes, there’s a time for correction, but never outside the boundaries of grace and truth (Ephesians 4:15 KJV).

Grace and peace.

 

[LightBearer316]

Just FYI... False Teachings I’ve Had to Address on This Forum

It’s become clear that much of the confusion and hostility here comes from people promoting distorted versions of the gospel. Below is a summary of the main heresies that have repeatedly surfaced — and how Scripture refutes each one.

1. Oneness / “Jesus Only” / UPCI Modalism heresy

Error: Denies the Trinity, teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three eternal Persons but one Person (Jesus) appearing in different roles.

Refuted by:

• Matthew 3:16–17 KJV — Father, Son, and Spirit all present simultaneously.
• John 1:1–2 KJV — The Word was with God and was God.
• John 14:16 KJV — The Son asks the Father to send the Spirit — three distinct Persons.

2. Baptismal Regeneration

Error: Claims water baptism itself brings forgiveness or salvation.

Refuted by:

• Acts 10:43–48 KJV, Romans 10:9–10 KJV, Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV — salvation is through faith, not water.
• Baptism is the sign of salvation, not the source of it (1 Peter 3:21 KJVclarifies this).

3. Tongues as Proof of Salvation

Error: Asserts that speaking in tongues is the necessary sign of receiving the Holy Spirit.

Refuted by:

• Romans 8:9 KJV— every believer has the Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13, 30 KJV — not all speak in tongues.
• Making tongues a condition of salvation adds a work to grace.

4. Faith + Works Justification

Error: Blurs the line between faith as the cause of salvation and works as its evidence — teaching that obedience (like baptism or endurance) completes justification.

Refuted by:

• Romans 4:1–5 KJV— Abraham was justified by faith before any work.
• Ephesians 1:13 KJV— believers are sealed after believing, not after baptism.
• Faith precedes obedience; obedience flows from genuine faith.

5. Cultural or Relativistic Interpretation of Scripture

Error: Dismissing clear biblical commands as “cultural” rather than timeless truth.

Refuted by:

• Once you start calling Scripture “cultural,” any passage can be stripped of authority.
• The Bible’s moral and theological truths transcend culture; Scripture interprets Scripture, not modern trends.

6. The “Two Gospels” Heresy (Paul vs. Peter Distinction)

Error: Claims Peter preached one gospel (“the gospel of the kingdom” for Israel) while Paul preached another (“the gospel of grace” for Gentiles).

Refuted by:

• Romans 1:16 KJV— one gospel for all who believe.
• 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 KJV— the gospel Paul preached is the same one by which all are saved.
• Galatians 2:7–9 KJV— Paul and Peter preached the same message to different audiences, not different gospels.
• This teaching fractures the unity of Scripture and denies the singular finished work of Christ.

Basically...
All of these errors — from denying the Trinity to dividing the gospel — have one thing in common: they either add to or subtract from the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.

Salvation is by grace through faith alone, in the one true God who is eternally Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Anything else is “another gospel,” and Paul warned us plainly:

“If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”​

— Galatians 1:9 KJV​

Grace and peace.

 

[Lafftur]

It is not difficult to rebuke someone gently.

I agree, Dino. How would Love rebuke someone… Gently.

It’s probably best to rebuke early before the situation gets too heated… and done respectfully so no one feels dumbed down or insulted…

Kindness is good… a soft answer turns away wrath.

Of course, there’s no point in rebuking the scornful…

I choose to not make any accusations against the person or start any sentence with “why”… like “why are you not listening to me?!”

The “why’s” and the accusations escalate the anger.

I quickly think of a question I can ask that will redirect or change the course of the conversation.

Then, look for my “exit.” Lol!

 

[GWH]

Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

When we deal with people in our Christian walk to speak to them concerning the truth it depends on our motivation for doing so whether according to our flesh or the Spirit.

When we deal with people all our speech should be coming by the Spirit so if we rebuke and tell them to behave right it is coming from God's perspective on how He does not tolerate it which they are His commandments and He is the righteous Judge.

Like in the Old Testament when they said thus saith the LORD which this is what He is saying to you.

But if coming from our flesh to condemn, being arrogant, and like power telling them to act right then it is not right for we are a sinner saved by grace.

Which we can do from time to time arguing with each other, belittling, and being sarcastic, and looking down on people.

Which some people have pointed out bad behavior on Christian Chat on Youtube and elsewhere to where they left.

But some might have been sensitive and if you do not agree with them and they take is as an insult and threat.

Thus saith the LORD not thus saith me for the whole thing is of the Lord not me.

Yes, the exceptions might be indicated in terms of Ecclesiastes: There is a time for gentleness and a time for sternness.
Both should be motivated by the HS's love.