Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

As we look at the list of nine Christian characteristics known as the fruits of the Spirit, we come to the fifth fruit: kindness.

If we think about the first four fruits, it becomes apparent that this list is a kind of a process. Love leads to joy, joy brings about peace and a peaceful life produces patience. Kindness - the next on the list - comes about because of patience.

How? I have noticed that my kindness seems to be directly related to my level of patience. I am most unkind when I am impatient and hurried.

There is a certain amount of arrogance in impatient people. Impatient people are focused on themselves and they are concerned with their own needs while kind people are concerned about others. Paul describes this attitude:

Philippians 2:3-5

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus."

That’s what kindness is like. It involves putting others before yourself. In fact, this has been a key to the success of the church for over 2000 years. Micah tells us that this is exactly what God wants from His people.

Micah 6:8

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness (mercy) and to walk humbly with your God?"

Think about that for a minute. When God spoke and told us what He wants from us, He listed 3 things. One of those is to love kindness.

Pray, today, that God will create a kind heart in you and that you will be able to put others before yourself. As you do this, people will learn that they are actually seeing Christ in you. You are His light to the world, after all.