The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is Kindness?
Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. The Greek word for kindness is ‘chrēstotēs’, which means moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness. Kindness is demonstrating genuine care, compassion, and empathy for others. It is putting others before oneself and treating them with gentleness, patience, and love.
The Bible has much to say about kindness and how important it is for Christians to show kindness to others. Here are some key points about kindness from Scripture:
God Is Kind
The very nature of God is kind. Throughout the Bible, we see God described as “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8), “good to all and his compassion is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9). He is a God of patience, mercy and grace. His lovingkindness endures forever (Psalm 136 repeatedly). Even when we were still sinners, He demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).
Jesus Modeled Perfect Kindness
During His earthly ministry, Jesus perfectly exemplified kindness in how He treated people. He had compassion on the sick and healed them (Matthew 14:14). He defended, forgave and showed mercy to the outcasts of society that others looked down on, like the woman at the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8). Jesus was patient with His disciples when they failed to understand His teachings (Luke 9:43-45). He welcomed little children when others tried to shoo them away (Luke 18:15-17). Jesus is our ultimate example of what true kindness looks like.
Kindness Springs from the Heart
True Christ-like kindness is not just about surface level words and actions. It flows out of what is happening in the heart. Jesus said “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good…” (Luke 6:45). As Christians, God is at work transforming our hearts and putting His love in us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). When our hearts are filled with the love of Christ, it naturally overflows into how we treat others with patience, compassion and care.
Kindness Reflects the Character of God
When Christians demonstrate the fruit of kindness, we are reflecting the very character of God to others. People should be able to see the lovingkindness of God at work through our lives. The apostle Paul urges believers “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Our kindness gives evidence to the transforming work of God in our lives.
Kindness Leads Others to Christ
Practicing kindness and compassion is a powerful way for Christians to let their light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). When people experience genuine, selfless love through our kindness, it makes them more open to hearing about the loving God we serve. They are able to see Christianity as more than just a religion, but an actual relationship with a God who deeply cares for people. Our Christ-like kindness breaks down barriers and softens hearts to be receptive to the gospel.
What Does Kindness Look Like in Practice?
While kindness encompasses many facets of the Christian life, here are some practical examples of what kindness looks like in action:
– Speaking gently and respectfully to others, not harshly or rudely (Proverbs 15:1)
– Being sympathetic to those who are hurting and suffering (1 Peter 3:8)
– Looking out for the needs and interests of others above our own (Philippians 2:3-4)
– Being patient and gracious toward people when they fail or make mistakes (Colossians 3:12-13)
– Giving generously to help those in need (2 Corinthians 9:11-12)
– Confronting others gently and lovingly, not out of spite (Galatians 6:1)
– Forgiving those who wrong us instead of holding grudges (Ephesians 4:32)
– Including those who are marginalized and easy to overlook (Luke 14:12-14)
– Speaking words of praise, encouragement and affirmation to build others up (Ephesians 4:29)
– Being hospitable and opening our lives and homes to others (1 Peter 4:9)
Kindness should be our default approach to treating others in every situation. It requires us to be selfless, extending grace and mercy at our own expense. We must rely on God’s strength to enable us to continually walk in kindness.
The Bible connects kindness with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-7). The more we grow in knowing God’s heart of compassion, the more freely we are able to show His kindness to the world around us. As believers, we all still struggle with selfishness, harshness and indifference at times. But the Holy Spirit gently convicts us and reshapes our hearts to become more like Christ.
Why Is Kindness So Important?
In God’s eyes, kindness is extremely valuable and important. Scripture contains many verses that emphasize the significance of Christians cultivating kindness in their lives and displaying it to others:
– Kindness brings joy and refreshment to others: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
– Kindness reflects wisdom, not foolishness: “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29)
– Kindness is remembered: “Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” (Ephesians 6:8)
– Kindness leads people to repentance: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
– Kindness overcomes evil: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
– Kindness reveals the love of God: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:4-5)
– Jesus values kindness highly: “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
– Kindness brings reward from God: “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” (Matthew 10:42)
When we spend our lives pursuing kindness through the power of Christ, we store up an eternal reward that will not perish (Luke 6:35). It pleases God when we reflect His heart by being kind.
Barriers That Hinder Our Kindness
If kindness is so important, why do Christians still struggle to display kindness consistently? What are some barriers that can hold us back from living a lifestyle of Christ-like kindness?
– Pride – When we think too highly of ourselves, we tend to look down on others and treat them as inferior. But true kindness requires humility. (Philippians 2:3-4)
– Selfishness – Seeking to fulfill our own desires and agendas makes us oblivious to the needs of others. We must deny self to show sacrificial kindness. (Titus 3:3)
– Impatience – Taking a judgmental attitude toward failures in others stems from lacking God’s patience. Kindness requires longsuffering. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
– Unforgiveness – Holding on to bitterness and resentment blocks the love needed to forgive and extend kindness to those who hurt us. (Matthew 6:14-15)
– Indifference – The cares of life and busyness can distract us from demonstrating compassion to the suffering around us. (Luke 10:30-37)
– Fear of Rejection – We sometimes avoid reaching out in kindness because we fear the vulnerability of being rebuffed or misunderstood. (1 John 4:18)
– Hypocrisy – We can be kind outwardly for show while inwardly harboring hatred. Genuine kindness starts in the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)
These barriers keep us trapped in unkindness. We have to honestly confess and repent of them before God so that the fruit of kindness can grow in our lives. If we try to manufacture kindness through sheer willpower, we may succeed externally but not have Christ’s heart of love.
Cultivating Genuine Kindness
Here are some biblical ways that we can cultivate true kindness in our lives as Christians:
– Spend time receiving God’s lovingkindness through prayer and Scripture meditation (Psalm 119:76)
– Ask the Holy Spirit daily to fill your heart with supernatural love for others (Romans 5:5)
– Make a list of practical ways you can demonstrate kindness and review it often (Micah 6:8)
– When you fail, receive God’s forgiveness and grace that empowers you to keep being kind (James 5:11)
– Study Jesus’ life and take note of how He perfectly modeled kindness (1 Peter 2:21)
– Pray for God to give you His eyes to see people’s needs with compassion (Matthew 9:36)
– Set aside time and resources to regularly help those who are poor, suffering or disadvantaged (1 John 3:17)
– Confess and surrender any hard-heartedness, bitterness or pride that is stealing your capacity for kindness (1 John 1:9)
– Memorize Scripture verses about kindness to renew your mind to this priority (Colossians 3:12)
– Partner with other believers who can support and spur you on to grow in kindness (Hebrews 10:24)
As we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit each day, He develops gentleness, patience, compassion and unselfish love in us – the very essence of biblical kindness.
The Reward of Kindness
Though extending kindness often costs us personally, God promises it is worth it. Here are some of the valuable rewards we can look forward to as we walk in Christ-like kindness during our lives on earth:
– Joy – Kindness spreads joy, and being kind fills us with joyful satisfaction as we experience its contagious effect on relationships (Proverbs 12:25)
– Good Influence – Our kindness positively influences others toward godly character and good deeds (Matthew 5:16)
– Strong Community – Kindness promotes peace, unity and care for one another in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:32)
– Attractive Witness – Kindness makes the gospel appealing by revealing God’s love through our lives (Colossians 4:5-6)
– Eternal Treasures – Kindness lays up imperishable heavenly riches, not fleeting earthly wealth (Matthew 6:19-21)
– The Smile of God – We receive God’s loving approval as faithful stewards when we extend His kindness to others (Matthew 25:21)
Though rewarding, we can’t earn righteousness through human kindness (Isaiah 64:6). Our kindness flows out of the free gift of grace we’ve received in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Empowered by His love, we simply pass on the undeserved kindness He lavished on us.
Conclusion
Kindness is central to living as an authentic follower of Jesus Christ who is being continually transformed by the Holy Spirit. God calls every believer to pursue kindness – reflecting His loving and compassionate heart by the way we treat others. This includes speaking with care, looking out for the disadvantaged, possessing patience in relationships and extending grace and forgiveness at personal cost. As we daily surrender to Jesus and participate with the Spirit’s work in us, He enables us to exhibit kindness that reveals God’s goodness to the world around us. May we continually yield to His life-giving power working within, that His fruit of kindness would mark our lives and point people to our Savior.