Be Gentle — or Else Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Be Gentle — or Else ----------------------- Date: 07/15/1999 Keywords: "gentleness" "presence" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. eXXit advertises itself as a Web site designed to help you "stand strong in the face of sexual temptation." In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists nine "fruit of the Spirit," fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Each of these fruits — if produced — will greatly aid a believer who seeks to "stand strong." At eXXit, we believe that: The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the life of a healthy Christian, just as apples appear on a healthy apple tree. If there is any love or joy or peace in a Christian, it is ultimately the work of God. Christians can cooperate with the Spirit's desire to produce His fruit in their lives by yieldedness, faith, obedience and involvement in ministry. We hope you enjoy and benefit from these meditations on Galatians 5! Send us any feedback. We'd love to know what you think. Passage: Philippians 4:5* Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Questions 1. Why does Paul advise us to show gentleness?   2. How does this warning apply to pornography?   Practical help Paul’s words in this passage are downright spooky. Be gentle, he says. And why? Because "the Lord is near." If you have any faith in a God that can rend the sky in tatters and rip mountains from their roots, a shiver should pass down your spine on that one. God is watching you. This counsel is especially crucial in regard to pornography, the thing we mistakenly think no one else knows about. So be gentle. Who knows what discipline God withholds from us because of small kindnesses we show to others? eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.