The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

The Fruit of the Spirit:  Kindness

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

In the above passage,  the Greek word chrestos is translated as “kindness.”  Chrestos means usefulness and moral excellence.  Therefore, being kind is practical, functional and serviceable.  Therefore, living in moral excellence is practical, functional and serviceable. 

Reaching out in kindness not only sends a ray of sunlight into the world, but also benefits the one who is kind.  “The kind man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17 NKJV)  It is good for our own lives when we are kind.  All of God’s directives are for our benefit.  His desire is for us to have abundant lives. (John 10:10b)  Kindness is based on God’s love, joy, peace and patience.  Kindness leads us into an abundant life in Him.

Because true kindness is based on agape, unconditional love, our kindness must be unconditional as well.  To truly experience the abundant life, we must be kind when others are not. 

From “Quotes about Kindness” http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/kindness:  (Not all quotes are from Christians.)

▪People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway. (Kent M. Keith)

▪ “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” (Plato)

 ▪ “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” (Henry James)

▪ “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain)

▪ “Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.” (George Sand)

▪ “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

▪ “I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.” (Mother Teresa)

Kindness is an attribute of God.  When we are kind to others, we are demonstrating who God is.  Because of our kindness, others may be drawn to our Lord. Kindness is a practical evangelistic tool.  

 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) How can we refuse kindness to others when God has been so kind to us?

"Try a Little Kindness" is the title of a song written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin.  It was first recorded Glen Campbell.

“If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say "You're going the wrong way"

You got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness, then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.”