The Neglected Power of Kindness
Kindness is often overlooked, dismissed as mere niceness or a basic human courtesy. Yet, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, kindness is no ordinary trait—it is a supernatural force, a divine expression of God’s character. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible lists nine fruits of the Spirit, and kindness stands among them as a testament to the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. These fruits are not mere virtues; they are the outworking of God’s Spirit, the seed planted in the soil of humanity, yielding life-giving, transcendent results. Kindness, then, is not weakness—it is power. It is spiritual, supernatural, and mighty, capable of reshaping hearts and altering destinies.
Redefining Strength Through Kindness
Our culture often equates strength with toughness, leadership with unyielding resolve, and masculinity with dominance. Kindness, by contrast, is relegated to the meek, the followers, the “menial laborers” who keep the peace at home. This is a grave misunderstanding. The Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and the Son in the Trinitarian expression of God, produces kindness as a mark of divine power. To dismiss kindness as weakness is to underestimate the most formidable force in the universe—the Spirit of God. Every fruit of the Spirit carries supernatural weight, and kindness is no exception. It is not passive; it is a dynamic, world-changing force.
The Supernatural Power of Kindness
Consider how we try to change people. We employ education, warnings, threats, or even violence to modify behavior, yet these methods often fail to touch the heart. The Bible offers a stunning revelation: “It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4). The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means more than a change of mind—it signifies a transcendent shift in perspective, an elevation to a higher way of seeing. Kindness, not fear, not threats, not even joy or blessing, is the divine catalyst that lifts us to the mind of Christ. It is the supernatural power that unlocks brilliant ideas, greater intelligence, and emotional health. When we ignore kindness, we resort to manipulation or coercion, missing the Spirit’s transformative strength.
Freedom and Creativity in Kindness
In Christ, we are given the freedom to express kindness without ulterior motives. Too often, our acts of kindness have been tainted by manipulation—tied to evangelism or the expectation of a return. But God’s kindness is not transactional; it flows freely from His heart. As His children, we are called to embody this same selfless kindness, offering it as an act of worship rather than a means to an end. Jesus instructs us to “give, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). Can we love simply for the sake of loving? Can we show kindness without demanding results? True kindness reflects the heart of God, pouring out grace without conditions.
The Cost of Rejecting Kindness
Our pride and self-sufficiency often lead us to reject kindness, viewing it as charity we don’t need or deserve. This rejection keeps us spiritually and intellectually stunted. By refusing kindness, we block the doorway to repentance, to higher thought, to the mind of Christ. Conversely, receiving kindness—both from God and others—opens us to divine wisdom and creativity. Those who embody the supernatural gift of kindness are not weak; they are conduits of God’s power. Yet, how often do we overlook them, admiring instead the forceful, the assertive, or even the cruel? We squander brilliance when we undervalue the quiet strength of kindness, often found in those who serve selflessly behind the scenes.
Kindness and the Mind of Christ
If kindness leads to repentance, it is also the key to accessing the mind of Christ. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “We have the mind of Christ.” This is not a distant aspiration but a present reality for believers. The kindness of God, flowing within and through us, aligns our thoughts with His. Denying kindness—whether to ourselves or others—severs this connection, tethering us to lower, earthly thinking. But when we receive God’s kindness, we are transformed. Even to the “evil and ungrateful,” God is kind (Luke 6:35). His grace does not condemn but beckons, leading us to see ourselves rightly—not as aligned with darkness but as beloved children of light.
The Call to Embody Kindness
In a world marked by exposure, division, and victimization, kindness is often vilified as weakness. Yet, now more than ever, we need its supernatural power. Ephesians 4:32 urges us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This is not a childish platitude but a call to wield divine strength. Kindness has no expiration date; it is the mark of a mature believer growing in grace. The strongest among us are not those who dominate but those who master the fruit of the Spirit, channeling kindness as a force for change.
Kindness as a Creative Force
Imagine kindness as the tool of an artist, empowered by God to create beauty in a broken world. It is not merely a reward for good behavior but an expression of grace to those who least deserve it. Consider how moments of anger or frustration tempt us to cast kindness aside. Instead, let us see kindness as a supernatural strength, capable of reshaping conversations, relationships, and even societies. Where are the visionaries of the church who will harness kindness to unlock transcendent thought and innovation? Kindness to ourselves and others fosters a lifestyle of ever-increasing wisdom, mental acuity, and emotional health.
A Daily Practice of Kindness
We cannot give what we do not have, nor possess what we refuse to receive. Begin today by receiving the kindness of God. Let it wash over you, dissolving shame and unworthiness. As freely as you receive, freely give (Matthew 10:8). Intentionally express kindness moment by moment—through a word, a gesture, a selfless act. Let it flow as worship, not as a transaction. Consider the opportunities in your daily life to embody this supernatural force. When anger arises, pause and choose kindness. When someone seems undeserving, extend grace. In doing so, you align with the heart of God, becoming a conduit for His transformative power.
The World-Changing Power of Kindness
Kindness is not a peripheral virtue; it is a divine force with the capacity to change the world. It leads to repentance, unlocks the mind of Christ, and fosters creativity and brilliance. In a culture that glorifies strength and self-reliance, let us champion the quiet power of kindness. Let us honor those who embody it, recognizing their supernatural strength. Let us receive God’s kindness and pour it out generously, trusting its power to elevate perspectives, heal hearts, and transform lives. The world awaits the church’s rediscovery of this neglected fruit of the Spirit. Will we rise to the call?
