Let your Gentleness be Evident to All

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

Very seldom, if ever, do coaches encourage athletes to pursue Gentleness. We rarely see Gentleness play out in any competitive environment. It was while attending my very first boxing match that God showed me an amazing new perspective on how Gentleness can be demonstrated in the competitive world of sports.

Chris Van Heerden, a professional boxer from South Africa, recently recorded a podcast with Eternity Sports. In the podcast, he shares that his motivation to compete is to bring God glory and to honor his father who died recently.

What does a professional boxing match have to do with gentleness?

Four people connected to Eternity Sports went to watch Chris compete in a professional boxing match. Boxer after boxer entered the arena and climbed into the ring. All of them, except Chris, entered similarly - dramatic entrance with smoke, music, entourage, and arrogance. Chris Van Heerden’s entrance was completely different, it included none of that. After the fight, which he won in a unanimous decision, he shook hands with his opponent's trainers, then hugged the other boxer. Even amid a violent and arrogant environment, this highly competitive and driven athlete exuded gentleness (Philippians 4:5)

I wasn't looking for a FOTS as Chris competed, but could not miss seeing gentleness. Amid the music, smoke, and self-promotion, there was Chris, displaying the Fruit of Gentleness to officials, trainers, other boxers, and for all the spectators on ESPN’s live broadcast. The light of Jesus was shining brightly through Chris to everyone (Matthew 5:16)

William Barclay writes this about gentleness, “It is the quality of the man who is always angry at the right time and never at the wrong time.”

I am not trying to portray Chris as the ultimate example of this FOTS — only Jesus wears that title belt. However, Chris Van Heerden lives and competes to magnify Jesus. The profile on Chris’ Instagram page, right below his name is JESUS -2 Tim:1v7. He wants the world to know that he competes for an eternal prize. Even in the most hostile environments, the follower of Christ can develop and display gentleness.

Training Exercise

1. When I searched for the opposite of gentleness, my online dictionary returned rough, harsh, hard, brutal, and unkind. How have you seen these anti-gentleness qualities displayed in your sport?
2. How could you show gentleness in your specific sport?
3. Write a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to grow gentleness in you so that some of the specific acts listed in Training Exercise 2 shine to others in your sport.