In our ongoing series on the Fruit of the Spirit in missional enterprise, we take a look today at the quality of gentleness.

Gentleness is often overlooked as a leadership quality, especially in the fast-paced world of business. Yet, the Bible consistently highlights it as a crucial trait. Jesus himself describes his heart as “gentle and lowly.”1 Gentleness, as one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, is not weakness but rather strength under control, a posture that fosters trust, peace, and unity in relationships.

At its core, gentleness embodies humility and self-control. As Tim Challies notes,2 “To be gentle is to be tender, humble, and fair, to know what posture and response is fitting for any occasion. It indicates a graciousness, a desire to extend mercy to others.”

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of gentleness in his admonitions to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love,”3 and “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”4 Paul also includes gentleness in his list of the essential qualities of church leaders in his letters to Timothy.5 Gentleness is not optional for Christian leaders; it is a defining characteristic of Christ’s followers, guiding them in how they interact with others, both in personal relationships and in the workplace.

The Power of Gentleness

One of the significant benefits of gentleness is its power to preserve and enhance relationships. Harsh words can destroy trust, but a gentle response can defuse tension and open up opportunities for reconciliation. This is especially true in leadership. Whether leading a company or managing a team, business leaders who prioritize gentleness will find that they can foster deeper trust and cooperation. People respond more favorably to leaders who show compassion and understanding rather than harshness or domination.

Jerry Bridges expands on this,6 explaining that:

“A profile of gentleness as it should appear in our lives will first include actively seeking to make others feel at ease, or ‘restful,’ in our presence . . . we should be sensitive to others’ opinions and ideas . . . gentleness will demonstrate respect for the personal dignity of the other person. Where necessary, it will seek to change a wrong opinion or attitude by persuasion and kindness, not by domination or intimidation.”

In a business context, this could look like giving constructive feedback without demeaning a person’s worth, or allowing space for differing opinions without becoming defensive or aggressive.

Furthermore, gentleness extends to how we handle disagreements, especially on matters that are not clear-cut or explicitly addressed in Scripture. Romans 14:1 reminds us, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.”7 This is an essential lesson for navigating differing opinions in the workplace or broader social contexts. How we treat those with differing views, especially in today’s polarized climate, speaks volumes about the presence of gentleness in our lives.

For missional business leaders, gentleness is not just a personal virtue but a strategic leadership quality. It opens doors to deeper influence and impact, allowing leaders to not only guide their teams effectively but also reflect Christ’s character in the marketplace. Leadership that is marked by gentleness creates an atmosphere of trust, respect, and open communication—an environment where both individuals and organizations can thrive.

In a world that often celebrates aggressive, hard-charging leadership, Christian leaders have the opportunity to model a different way—one that reflects the gentleness of Christ. How we respond to challenges, treat those under our care, and handle conflict will reveal whether gentleness truly characterizes our leadership. As we strive to lead with excellence, may we also strive to lead with gentleness, following the example set by Christ himself.

Verse of the Week:

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. Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Let’s take on the yoke of the gentle master teacher, and ask him to lead us to greater levels of gentleness in life and leadership.