The Fruit Of The Spirit

Part 5 - Kindness

Galatians 5:22-23: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

“There is no law against these things.” The FRUIT is universally embraced!

Colossians 1:9-11 lets us know that when we bear fruit, we please God:
“…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power…”

Fruit is the outcome of who you are and who you connect with:
John 15:4-5 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Fruit #5: Kindness

Kindness chrēstótēs  pronounced “khray-stot-ace”  From a word (“chrēstós”) that meant useful or profitable. It means kindness or compassion or empathy toward others. It speaks to warmheartedness, graciousness, and even gentleness. It also speaks of usefulness or adding value to others.
Chrēstótēs often occurs with generosity or philanthropy in the New Testament, and patience, and is the opposite of apotomía, which means “severity” or “harsh” or “cutting something short and quickly”.
Chrēstótēs is a grace which pervades the whole person, mellowing that which is harsh and austere. It describes a person’s disposition or attitude - and does not necessarily entail deeds like the word goodness does.
Kindness speaks to your nature, attitude, approach, and disposition. Kindness is about how you connect, how you communicate, the posture of your heart towards others, and adding value to people. It is the opposite of being callous, uncaring, harsh, or severe.
One thing you notice with kindness in God’s Word is that kindness is something that we

, and then we

Reveal Answer

. What we freely receive, we can freely give (Matthew 10:8) There are at least 10 times as many verses in the Old and New Testament that speak of God’s kindness to us, compared to our kindness to each other.

Receiving God’s Kindness

First We Receive God’s Kindness:
Rom.2:4 - “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his

, forbearance and patience, not realizing
that God’s

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is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Titus 3:3-5 - “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the

Reveal Answer

and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…”
Ephesians 2:1-10 – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his

Reveal Answer

to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
10:1 Ratio – Over 200 Verses In The Old Testament Speak Of God’s Kindness Toward Us: His Lovingkindness, Mercy, and Unfailing Love! This is a 10:1 Ratio When Compared Against God’s Command To Us To Be Kind!

Reflecting God’s Kindness

Then We Reflect and Give God’s Kindness To Others:
Colossians 3:12 - “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Ephesians 4:29-5:2 – “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

God Wants Us To Reflect His Kindness To Others, and When We Do, We Benefit:
Proverbs 11:17 – “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

Does Kindness Make Sense?

In 2009, researchers at the University of California (Berkley) challenged the idea that humans are wired to be selfish. In several studies, social scientists compiled increasing evidence that we are successful as a species because of our kindness. The most successful are generally those who show kindness and empathy towards others. The researchers called it, “the survival of the kindest”. Even Albert Einstein said that “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” It simply makes sense to show kindness and not fall for the idea that “it’s all about me”:
1) Kindness is

& Compassion. Job 6:14 says that “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” We owe people kindness, care, and compassion. The beauty of showing kindness is that it makes us happy, and it also makes the one receiving it happy > Proverbs 19:17 > “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

2) Kindness is Calming &

. When people are struggling, first offer a relationship, then offer a roadmap. Kindness puts us in a much better place to receive. Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

3) Kindness is

& Coaching. Psalm 141:5 – “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” Kindness is also working through issues and challenges and having difficult conversations. Feedback creates champions. It’s the raw material you use to forge your path to greatness. Embrace it, analyze it, and do something with it. Feedback is not just how you grow; but how you win. It is kind when people ask questions to help you discern healthy and unhealthy.

4) Kindness Is

and Curing. People with post-traumatic stress syndrome have better outcomes when they feel kindness. Children who suffer adverse childhood experiences are more resilient when they have at least one adult who offers kindness. Military veterans who perceive higher levels of kindness are less likely to have suicidal thoughts.
And researchers at Ohio State University recently found that people who reported giving kindness have lower levels of inflammation, an important indicator of stress and long-term health.
Kindness is not only a nice thing to do, but it promotes emotional resilience, improves mental health, and physical health for both giver and receiver. People who engage in kindness experience reduced levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Dr. Vincent Agyapong, chair of the psychiatry department at Dalhousie University: “The greatest source of protection for mental well-being is really focusing your attention on helping other people.” That sounds a lot like Proverbs 11:25 > “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

5) Kindness is

. Kindness draws people to you. No one wants to be around the judgmental, impatient, and intolerant. William Wordsworth said that “The best portion of a good man’s life are his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love”.

In life, the most important question we can ask is this: What Does God Require Of Me? Micah 6:8 (NASB)
“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

What God Requires:
1) Do The Right Thing – “Justice”,
2) Love Kindness, and
3) Walk Humbly With Your God
What God Required In The Old Covenant, Which Man Could Never Deliver, The Holy Spirit Now Produces In Us In The New – Galatians 5:16-26

So, what does God require of YOU? To love kindness:
Proverbs 14:21 – “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 28:8 – “Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.”
Proverbs 11:17 - “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

“Giving Hope” All Month Long In December 2024

Why are some people kind, and other not kind?
The simplest answer is that we live what we learn.
In other words, some have learned kindness and live it. Others have not.

See, kindness is something that we receive, and then it is something we give.

Once we receive kindness, we can then reflect kindness to others - 1 John 4:18-19:
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”