God’s gentleness is a salve or precious ointment to be applied to our spiritual man when we are hurting because of mistakes we have made.
“Are the consolations of God too small for you, and the word spoken gently with you?” (Job 15:11).
God’s gentle nature never changes. His patient attributes are immutable. His kindly ways past finding out. In the process of time, His gentle words sensitize us into recognizing His patient dealings with us.
We may be expecting a more harsh, severe response when we fail our Lord, but He is working on our development. His plan is to improve us by working out our carnality and working in His spiritually. The Word spoken gently will tug at our heart strings and produce a Christ-like response in us.
To my great regret, I once used the name of the Lord in an outburst of profanity. I was 16 at the time and tried to impress a group of guys by using coarse language. Not only were the guys not impressed, the Lord spoke gently to me and said, “You have hurt Me.” That gentle word broke me up so much that I vowed never again to use God’s name in vain or profanely.
In other situations I have made snap judgments, or acted impulsively, impatiently, or impetuously. Instead of “raking me over the coal of His righteous indignation,” the Lord would simply speak a gentle word of reproof.
He would let me know that such behavior was offensive to Him. He would show me what I had done wrong. Then He would give me godly sorrow for my sins, lead me to a heart-felt confession of my wrongdoing, and restore me to fellowship by His reconciliation.
God’s gentleness is a salve or precious ointment to be applied to our spiritual man when we are hurting because of mistakes we have made.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.