Faithfulness is an important quality in many facets of life. We understand the importance of being faithful to our wedding vows and we all love the faithful friend and coworker because they actually do what they say they’re going to do. What does faithfulness look like in the Christian life?
Faithfulness Is about Being Trustworthy and Steadfast in Character
Faithfulness is synonymous with trustworthiness. A faithful person will prove to be faithful by their actions over time. As Christian women, we should be known as faithful people who keep our word, honor commitments, and live in a manner that reflects God’s character.
God hasn’t chosen to play by a different set of rules when it comes to faithfulness. He chose to prove his faithfulness to us by his actions throughout the Bible. He didn’t just say, “I’m faithful.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
God had generations of examples to prove his faithfulness to us. Because of that, we can trust that God will be faithful to us and will come through for us every time.
Our Faithfulness to God Means Being Obedient to Him
We can prove our faithfulness to God through our obedience. The more the fruit of faithfulness grows in us, the more we will want to choose God’s way. Instead of acting on our own thoughts and opinions, we’ll let the Bible tell us how we should think and act. It means we’ll choose to be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and go where he tells us to go.
Gentleness Means We’re Measured in Our Response to Others
The fruit of gentleness is necessary to have healthy relationships, but it’s important to identify what “gentleness” means and what it doesn’t mean. Gentleness doesn’t mean we should become pushovers who get taken advantage of by others. It doesn’t mean we sweep things under the rug and avoid confrontation. Gentleness means we are thoughtful with our words and reactions. Before responding, we think about every perspective and respond in a manner that breathes life, not death, into our relationships. We might have to speak a hard truth to someone, but we need to do it in love.
1 Peter 3:15-16 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Any time we need find ourselves in a confrontation, we need to remember the ultimate win – which is to point people to Jesus. If it’s a Christian we’re confronting, it’s to remind them to do things God’s way. If it’s an unbeliever, we need to respond in a way that doesn’t turn them off from ever wanting to know Jesus.
The fruit of faithfulness helps us to obey God and to prove our trustworthiness to him and others. The fruit of gentleness helps us to have healthy relationships, especially in times of conflict.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Describe the most faithful, trustworthy person you know. How have they proven themselves?
- How has a person’s unfaithfulness hurt you in the past?
- Read Deuteronomy 7:9. Why do you think God wanted to prove his faithfulness to us? How has God proven himself faithful to you?
- If you’re a parent, what does obedience from your kids communicate to you? What does their disobedience communicate to you? How does this relate to our relationship with God?
- Share a time you were confronted by someone in a harsh way. How did you react? How was the relationship affected?
- Read 1 Peter 3:15-16. What does a gentle response have the ability to do that a harsh response doesn’t? Give an example.
- Read Galatians 6:1. What are some practical things you can do or say to help someone back on the right path with God?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Adapted from the book The Fruit of the Spirit: Becoming The Person God Wants You to Be by Thomas Trask and Wayde Goodall.
