Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

In the New Testament sense, kindness is not about being polite (how we sometimes think of kindness). It’s something more than well wishes or being gentle with our words. Kindness is active. A kind person sees what is needed and then provides it.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). God is kind. As his children, we are to be kind like him.

Specifically, our model is Jesus. Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

When we’re in conflict and disagreement with one another, kindness is so much more than just putting on a smile and pretending everything is okay. When we are kind, we choose to legitimately seek the best for one another despite the places where we disagree.

• Kindness is how we speak to each other. (Am I doing harm or good toward others?)
• Kindness is how we care for others. (How can I help this person?)
• Kindness is how we vote. (What will be the impact of this policy on those around me?)
• Kindness is how we spend our money. (Where is this money going? What is the impact of that? Am I doing harm or good to the world?)

As Scripture teaches us, it’s God’s kindness—not cruelty, not meanness, not malice—that leads us to repentance. And as we become more like God—as we grow in kindness—this must surely have an impact on our relationships in those moments when we have disagreements.

Questions for Reflection

Plan some of kindness you will initiate in the next twenty-four hours: upbuilding words you will offer, help you will provide, assurance you will give. Pray for a Christlike spirit as you go to carry out these intentions.