Consider Kindness

Consider the theology of kindness. Kindness may be the most neglected fruit of the Spirit, yet it is undeniably a fruit of the Spirit. We often equate kindness with general niceness, assuming it to be a human entitlement or a basic expression of goodness from one person to another. However, we rarely associate kindness with strength or masculinity. More often than not, we view kindness as evidence of weakness, found in followers who are incapable of leading much of anything. Leaders must be tough as nails, soldiers and workers must have the capacity for endurance, and menial laborers at home can afford to be kind to one another to avoid hurt feelings. Isn't that the stereotype?

The Holy Spirit is a person, and as a person within the Trinitarian expression of God, the Holy Spirit is to be regarded as co-equal with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who manifests fruit in our lives, as if the Holy Spirit were the seed in the soil of humanity, bringing forth something truly supernatural and life-giving. This is the fruit of the Spirit, and that fruit is supernatural power. The Bible lists nine fruits of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). The fruit of the Spirit is an expression of the Holy Spirit’s power, the mightiest force in the entire universe across all time and eternity. Therefore, every fruit of the Spirit must be seen as having supernatural weight and power.

Kindness is power. Kindness is spiritual power. Kindness is supernatural power. There is a supernatural force in the fruit of the Spirit of kindness. Consider how we try to change people. We attempt to modify their behavior through teaching, education, warnings, fear, threats of consequence, or even violence. Yet the Bible declares, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4, NASB). Repentance, from the Greek word metanoia, means to change one’s mind. But it is more than merely turning around; it is a transcendent, higher thought, elevating the conversation or perspective so that we see from a different vantage point. We are not just looking at a different thing; we are seeing everything differently. It is not the fear of God, the threats of God, the joy of God, or the blessings of God that lead us to repentance. The supernatural power to change our perspective, elevate our view, and grant access to the mind of Christ is kindness. When we ignore the power of kindness, we resort to manipulation, fear, and education to change people’s minds.

One of the beautiful benefits of freedom in Christ is that God grants us the capacity to express creativity and kindness. In the past, our expressions of creativity, kindness, and compassion have often been manipulative, tied directly to evangelism or as investments expecting a return. But God does not do this. As His children, we must allow the supernatural fruit of kindness to reveal the heart of each one of us. Can we love simply for the sake of loving? Can we express kindness as an act of worship, or do we need to see results to feel our time was not wasted? This is where phrases like “give, expecting nothing in return” find application: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people” (Luke 6:35, NASB). If kindness is the doorway to repentance, then receiving kindness from others and feasting on this fruit of the Spirit can become an access point to higher thought, brilliant ideas, and greater intelligence.

Consider how our independent self-sufficiency and pride, which cause us to feel above receiving charity, keep us ignorant. We are foolish for rejecting kindness, and even more foolish for ignoring opportunities to express it. Now, consider the people in your life who embody the supernatural gift of kindness. Do you look up to them, or do you find it easier to admire the strong, the forceful, or even the mean? Do you see those who carry supernatural kindness as easy to take advantage of? Consider the brilliance squandered by overlooking the spiritual power of kindness in those who stay behind the scenes, serving selflessly. Brilliance can come through self-education, and being kind to yourself is a powerful way to lead yourself into a lifestyle of ever-increasing transcendent thought, greater intelligence, mental acuity, and emotional health.

If God’s kindness leads us to repentance and God is not separate or distant from us but lives within us by His Spirit, then denying kindness to ourselves is denying union with God. Perhaps you feel unworthy of kindness because of something bad or evil you have done. Yet the Bible says God is kind even to the ungrateful and evil (Luke 6:35, NASB). Allowing the kindness of God’s grace to be expressed to you—both from within and from others—may be the key to seeing yourself rightly and understanding that your identity is not aligned with the kingdom of darkness.

God’s kindness does not mere drive us to think differently; it leads us to think higher. It goes before us and beckons us to follow. Kindness does its part, and we must do ours by agreeing with God’s kindness and aligning with the supernatural grace of His heart poured out upon us. Without it, we may remain tied to lower, natural thinking rather than aligning with the mind of Christ. Paul told the Philippian church, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NASB), and to the Corinthians, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB). This means we have access to God’s thoughts. How different would the world be if we thought God’s thoughts? How transformed would our lives be if we aligned our minds with His? Perhaps the key to knowing God’s mind is receiving His kindness. Perhaps the greatest spiritual power overlooked in the church is intentionally expressing God’s kindness.

In these days of exposure and victimization, kindness is so easily overlooked. Yet we need it now more than ever. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32, NASB). How rarely is this verse quoted outside of children’s church? Is kindness merely a tool to teach children how to behave while they are young? I don't think so. There is no expiration date on kindness for a child of God. If we are to grow in grace, then the more we grow in faith, the kinder we ought to become. Perhaps the strongest among us are those who have mastered the fruit of the Spirit and the power of kindness.

Consider kindness as power. Consider it a force. Consider it a supernatural strength with the capacity to change the world. Consider kindness as the tool of an artist whose Father has given the freedom to create whatever we set our minds to. Consider ways to express God’s kindness daily with intention. Consider ways to allow God’s kindness to flow through you moment by moment. Reflect on moments of anger and frustration that arise throughout the week, prompting us to cast kindness aside. Consider that kindness may be more than a reward for someone’s good behavior; it is an expression of grace to those who don’t deserve it. We cannot give away what we do not have, and we cannot possess what we will not receive. Begin today by receiving the kindness of God, and as freely as you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8, NASB).