2 Timothy 2:24-25 - And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

This passage from 2 Timothy instructs us about how to conduct ourselves as servants of the Lord. Paul tells Timothy that God's servants must not be quarrelsome but instead be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach and patiently endure evil, correcting others with gentleness. The goal in correcting others gently is that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Being quarrelsome and unkind will not help others come to know the truth, but gentleness and patience just might.

It can be so easy to get angry or frustrated with others, especially when we see them believing or doing things that we think are wrong. But Paul reminds us that as servants of God, our calling is to correct others with gentleness and patience. We must fight the urge to quarrel or be harsh. Instead, we should approach others with kindness, seeking to teach and not attack. Gentleness does not mean we avoid difficult conversations or pretend disagreements don't exist. It means we have those conversations with care, respect and a hope for the other person's growth rather than a desire to 'win' an argument. When we correct others gently, we allow space for God to work. He may use our gentle words of truth, spoken in love, to soften hearts and bring understanding. But if we are quarrelsome or unkind, we push people away from God rather than drawing them near. As God's servants, we must reflect His gentle and patient character in how we interact with all people.

Lord, thank You for the reminder that gentleness and patience are so important in how we conduct ourselves as Your servants. It is all too easy for me to become quarrelsome or harsh with others. Please help me to fight that temptation and instead approach all people with kindness, seeking to understand rather than condemn. Give me wisdom to know when and how to gently correct others in love. And Lord, use my gentle words, however imperfect, to accomplish Your good purposes in the lives of those I encounter. May my interactions with others reflect Your loving character and draw them nearer to You. Amen.