Gentle Like Jesus | 2 Corinthians 4 | Ps Matt Sharrock
In week 6 of our Summer Fruit series Pastor Matt Sharrock shares with us a powerful look
at gentleness—strength under control, modeled perfectly by Jesus. In a loud and reactive
world, true gentleness flows from security in Christ and an awareness of the treasure we
carry within us. This message was recorded live July 27th, 2025.

Understanding Gentleness: Strength Under Control

Gentleness is often misunderstood in our culture. Many view it as weakness or being spineless, but the biblical definition reveals something much more powerful. In Greek, the word for gentleness (praotes) was used to describe a wild horse that had been tamed. The horse doesn’t lose its strength or power when tamed – that power is simply submitted to authority.

This is what true gentleness looks like: not the absence of strength, but the submission of strength.

What Does Jesus Say About Gentleness?

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus describes himself saying, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” Jesus – who turned tables, cast out demons, rebuked the devil, and declared bold truths – described himself as gentle.

How can this be? Because Jesus, with all the power of heaven at his disposal, walked in gentleness and humility because he was fully submitted to his Father. His gentleness wasn’t weakness – it was strength under control.

How Can We Cultivate Gentleness in Our Lives?

1. Gentleness is the Evidence of Awareness

You can only carry yourself with gentleness when you’re aware of what and who you are. In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, Paul writes:

“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts because we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

When we’re truly aware of the treasure inside us – God’s presence and power – we live more carefully and speak more gently. It’s like carrying a child; you move differently, speak differently, and act differently because you’re carrying something precious.

When we forget what’s inside us, we treat this treasure like trash. But when we remember whose we are and who’s inside us, we respond with gentleness.

2. Gentleness is the Accent of Security

Just as regions have different accents, heaven has an accent too – and that accent is gentleness. We only speak with this accent when we’re secure in who we are.

Proverbs 15:1 tells us, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” When someone comes at us with anger or frustration, we don’t need to match their energy. Instead, we can set the temperature of the room by responding with gentleness.

Jesus modeled this security in several ways:

• He didn’t need to prove himself (during his temptation)
• He embraced obscurity before walking in power (30 years before ministry)
• He didn’t react to people’s expectations
• He stayed calm under pressure
• He served low without losing his authority
• He entrusted his reputation to the Father

Jesus didn’t need to prove he was the Son of God. He simply lived like it and spoke like it. Gentleness was his accent because security was his identity.

3. Gentleness Flows from a Heart That’s Been Made Whole

In Luke 7, we read about a woman who came to Jesus with an expensive jar of perfume. She wasn’t welcomed by the religious leaders, but she came anyway – not to earn forgiveness, but because she had already tasted it.

She poured everything out at Jesus’ feet, not because she was broken, but because she had been made whole. When you’ve been made whole, you don’t hold back what’s been healed.

This woman didn’t need to defend her past actions or scream to be heard because she had heard the whisper of mercy. She understood that those who have been forgiven much, love much.

Life Application

In our loud, hostile, and reactive world, gentleness stands out. It’s countercultural to respond with strength under control rather than matching the world’s intensity. This week, I challenge you to:

• Practice awareness: Before responding to a difficult situation, take a “holy pause” to remember whose you are and who lives inside you. How might this awareness change your response?
• Practice awareness: Before responding to a difficult situation, take a “holy pause” to remember whose you are and who lives inside you. How might this awareness change your response?
• Speak with heaven’s accent: When faced with anger or frustration, try responding with gentleness instead of matching the energy. Notice how it changes the temperature of the room.
• Pour it all out: What are you holding onto that needs to be surrendered at Jesus’ feet? Pride? Control? Anger? Pour it out and experience the freedom that comes from being made whole.

Ask yourself: In what situations do I find it hardest to respond with gentleness? What might change if I viewed gentleness not as weakness, but as strength under control? How would my relationships change if I consistently spoke with heaven’s accent?

Remember, gentleness isn’t something we can manufacture on our own – it’s the fruit of God’s Spirit working in us as we submit to Him. When we’re secure in who we are in Christ, gentleness flows naturally.