Cultivating Spiritual FruitSample

Kindness

"He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:8

Kindness is like plant food to all our relationships, whether with husband or wife, relatives, friends, coworkers, or neighbors - even with sales associates, servers, helpers, and assistants. When we have an intimate relationship with God, He gives kindness as an act of loving affection and tenderness that we in turn can give to others.

Kind words and deeds minimize conflicts and grow the bond of unity. Similarly, tenderheartedness waters relationships. When the well of kindness stops flowing, we fail to be sensitive to each other’s feelings or empathize with others. The key to offering kindness is forgiveness and tenderness. We must let go of offenses quickly and not keep a backlog of unconfessed sin.

The Hebrew word for kindness, “chesed”, means love between people, specifically a devotional type of “loyal love” such as courtesy, politeness, mannerliness, or affability. Its greatest power is revealed in practice for our enemies and among the least of these. Of course, the perfect representation of kindness with compassion is Jesus. The Bible often refers to the loving-kindness of God the Father towards us resulting in an intimate relationship based on love.

Another example of kindness is found in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story involving a Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way, he was robbed of everything he had and was left beaten on the side of the road. A priest and a Pharisee came along, but when they saw the man lying there, they refused to help. Finally, a despised Samaritan man passed by and offered the beaten man compassion and kindness. He tended to the man's wounds and paid for a room in a nearby inn so he could recuperate (Luke 10:30-37). This parable exemplifies godly kindness because the Jews and the Samaritans were mutual enemies, yet the Samaritan showed him compassion.

Kindness includes words of encouragement and loving graciousness in word and deed. It’s a form of love and a way love forms. Showing kindness is a potential path to happiness and a way to better the world around us.

How can you show more kindness?