Gentleness and Self Control

“gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:23 (N.I.V)

The “carrot and stick approach” usually means an offer of reward countered by the threat of punishment. Picture a mule that is pulling a laden cart. In front is a carrot that is dangled in front of him. It motivates him to move forward. Also motivating him to move forward is the driver sitting on the cart with a raised stick threatening to use it should the mule falter. Another interpretation of “the carrot and stick” is a carrot that is tied to a stick which is held too far for the mule to reach. No matter how fast or far it goes it will never “reach” the carrot. It is like following a mirage, yet the mule keeps on.

Isaac had a gentle nature and tried his level best to avoid confrontations and maintain peace. After the envious and spiteful Philistines filled with soil all the wells his father had dug, Isaac and his servants went ahead and dug three new wells. (Genesis 26:19-22).  The first two wells they dug were claimed by the Philistines as soon as each was finished. Rather than fight over them, Isaac gave them up.  He called them Sitnah (harassment) and Esek (contention). This must have taken a lot of self control. It is only after they dug the third well that the Philistines left Isaac and his men to enjoy their water. Isaac named the well Rehoboth (wide places), saying, “Now the Lord will give us room and we will flourish in the land”.  Genesis 26:22. Indeed there is room for us all in the world and sometimes we may be called upon to willingly give up our valuable possessions or positions for others in order to maintain peace. We can be pushed to the limit both psychologically and geographically and still maintain our self control if we are sure that it is God’s leading. We can live life without the carrot and stick approach- the threat of punishment and the promise of rewards. This is because the reward may sometimes be a mirage. The peace we seek may cost us and others too much. Gentleness and self control are fruits of the Holy Spirit that we should seek as we await for the Lord to make a Rehoboth for us.

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“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” Peace Pilgrim

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