KINDNESS

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: KINDNESS

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
• We should be kind to others. We all know it. The Bible instructs us to be kind.
o Even the secular world values kindness… or at least the secular world devalues unkindness.

But what exactly is kindness? Nice and kind are not the same thing.
• Definition of nice: polite, pleasing, agreeable1
• Definition of kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.2
• Definition of kind: of a sympathetic or helpful nature, of a forbearing nature, gentle, loving3
• The biggest difference between nice and kind (at least biblical kindness) is the Holy Spirit.
• Because it is a fruit of the Spirit, kindness is closely associated with the other fruit listed.

Biblical definition of kindness (chréstotés): goodness, excellence, uprightness. Chréstotés comes from Chrēstós – useful or profitable. It really means kindness that meets real needs.4

STORY OF RUTH (RUTH 1-4)

Ruth 2:2 (NLT) One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”
o Gleaning laws were God’s kindness and provision for the poor and disenfranchised.

Ruth 2:10 (NLT) Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
o God’s kindness extends to those who don’t expect it.

Ruth 2:20 (NLT) “May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.”
o Kindness shows honor and respect.

Ruth 4:14 (NLT) Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.
o Naomi’s grandson was named Obed. He was the grandfather of King David.

God talks about different groups of people we’re supposed to be kind to:
James 1:27 (NIV) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows…
o Those close to us—families and friends
o The needy—the poor and the oppressed

God calls us to be kind to those who don’t deserve it. Kindness includes forgiveness.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) 12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

We’re supposed to be kind to and love our enemies, as well.
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV) 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
o Those burning coals are shame due to being showed what godly kindness looks like.

There is a purpose for God’s kindness.

Romans 2:4 (NLT) Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
o The purpose of God’s kindness is to turn us from our sin so we will receive eternal life!
• Our kindness should have a purpose as well. We represent our God.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IF YOU SHOW KINDNESS TO OTHERS?
• You will almost always feel good about it.
• God will bless you.

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NLT) 3Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
o You will gain a good reputation.
o Not everyone will appreciate or return kindness.

HOW DO WE CULTIVATE KINDNESS?
• It’s not about deciding to do more nice things. It’s not trying to prepare for the eventuality that we might need to be kind at some point. It’s about building the kindness muscle in our life.
o It’s about putting some things off as well as putting other things on. Galatians 5:20-21 tells us what we are supposed to put off. Some especially appropriate things if we are going to try to put on kindness: “hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy”
• Biblical kindness only comes from the Holy Spirit, but we have a part in allowing Him to grow that fruit.
o Kindness comes from having our identity rooted in Christ.
o If we want to grow in godly compassion and kindness, we should ask God for it.
o Although it’s hard caring sometimes, it’s better.

NEXT STEPS:
• God wants you to experience His kindness. He wants others to experience kindness through you.
• Things you can do this week:
o Pray that God would change your heart to be more like His.
o Grow in understanding God’s Word.
o Ask God to help you put off whatever is hindering you from putting on kindness.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Romans 8:5-11
Icebreaker: What has been your experience with random acts of kindness?
1. In what ways did the sermon encourage or challenge you?
2. Read Romans 2:4 and Ephesians 2:4-7. What do these passages tell about God’s kindness?
3. Talk about how you have seen and experienced kindness in your life.
4. Kindness has a component of meeting real needs in godly, timely ways without harshness. Where are places that you, your friends/family, or your small group could practice intentional kindness?
5. Read Romans 8:5-11. How is it going letting your mind and thoughts be more controlled by and focused on the Spirit? A) What helps? What’s hard?
6. What is God showing you about the fruit of the Spirit? In what ways are you responding to what He is showing you?
Try it! This week, plan some intentional acts of kindness. Share your experience.
Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 7, Goodness
This week, read Ephesians 5:1-20.
As you read, ask yourself these questions:
• What is the passage saying about God, mankind, and how the world works?
• What do I learn about myself from this passage?
• What response does this require of me in my thinking, believing, and doing?