When my kids start fussing and bickering with each other, I frequently will tell them to be kind.
This month as we study the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22, kindness is one of fruit of the spirit.
I started to wonder, what is kindness? Is it just being nice? Maybe it’s paying for the random stranger behind me in line at Starbucks’ coffee? When a searched for an image of kindness, I got pictures of people holding a hand and taking care of grandparents. All of these things could be defined as kindness. But I still wanted to know Bible examples of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26
This verse from Proverbs 31 is describing a wise woman. She speaks with kindness.
What is kindness?
Ephesians 4:32 says to be kind and forgiving. Forgiving others would be part of kindness. We forgive and forget mistakes of others.
Romans 12:10 says to give honor to others and think of them above yourself.
Psalm 112:5 says to share, lend and be gracious. Kindness also means to show justice.
Galatians 6:10 says to do good (a general term), but seems to mean helping others in need, thinking of others before yourself.
I John 3:18 says to show kindness with words and deeds. Speaking truth doesn’t mean we have to be unkind. Jesus was never unkind when he spoke truth.
Imagine how different the world would be if we all could master kindness like Jesus taught. We would be more forgiving and focused on the needs of others not ourselves.
This is just a simple study on kindness. But it’s a good starting point. When you want to know what is kindness? Remember to forgive others their mistakes, be gracious, sharing and just, think of others before yourself, look for and recognize the needs of others and show kindness with words and actions.
Finally, if your kids are acting up, tell them to “be kind”. They know it means to stop whatever they are doing. Moms, let’s try to be kind with our instructions and teaching, too.
