Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible (Galatians 5:22/NLT) along with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is one behavior we can all stand to receive and bestow, especially in these latter times of temptation toward angst and frustration.
Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, friendly, helpful, generous, considerate, warm-hearted, humane and sympathetic.
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 19:22/NKJV, that “what is desired in a man is kindness… .” We also find that Proverbs 31:26/NKJV describes this amiable quality as a trait of a virtuous woman, one who “opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Kindness is exemplified in God’s love toward us, demonstrated largely by his mercy toward us in a myriad of ways. “His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:2/NKJV) “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7/NKJV).
We see in Acts 28:2/NKJV, that the Apostle Paul was certainly appreciative of the kindness granted to him on the Island of Malta where he was shipwrecked while on his way to Rome: “The natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.” There are also many acts of kindness shown throughout the Bible, especially the wonderful works of Jesus as he “…went about doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38/NKJV).
So, when we think of clothing ourselves each day, perhaps we should consider this holy attire of heaven: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:12-13/NKJV).
Showing tact and thoughtfulness toward others despite how they look, where they live, or how they speak is a major mark of maturity and godliness in the life of a believer. It is certainly a challenge in some situations to do so, but any good thing we do is noticed by the Lord and we glorify our heavenly Father when we do so.
Ms. Rita's Minute 