“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
- Galatians 5:22-23
The virtue of kindness sounds simple until we try to live it out consistently. We admire it in others and we expect it from others, but practicing genuine kindness day after day, toward every person, especially when it costs us, reveals just how supernatural this fruit truly is. Kindness is not niceness alone, nor is it forced politeness or artificial sweetness. Biblical kindness is strength wrapped in compassion, truth delivered with grace, and love expressed in action. Kindness is the visible, tangible expression of God’s love flowing through us.
The Greek word for kindness here has connotations of goodness with tenderness, benevolence in action, grace in motion, a posture of compassion, generosity, and goodwill, and a spirit that looks for ways to bless and build up. Kindness is love in action. Kindness is expressed through gentle words, helpful actions, thoughtful responses, compassionate attitudes, encouragement, comfort, hospitality, generosity, and mercy, even when not deserved. Kindness is not just feeling sympathetic emotions, but rather doing something about it.
It is important to remember that everything God asks of us (and the Spirit produces in us), He first demonstrates toward us. Scripture repeatedly highlights God’s incredible kindness. His kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). He saves us through His kindness in Christ (Titus 3:4-5). He shows immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness (Ephesians 2:7). His kindness is unfailing and everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3).
That is the kindness we are called to reflect to others. We do not show kindness to earn God’s love, but because we have already received His limitless kindness. Kindness is worship modeled after our Father.
Jesus didn’t say the world would know us by our opinions, theology, or church attendance. He said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Real love must be expressed, and kindness is one of its clearest expressions. When Christians are unkind, our witness is wounded. But when Christians are consistently kind, hearts soften, doors open, and Christ becomes visible.
The world answers insult with insult, anger with anger, and hardness with hardness. But Jesus showed us a better way: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). Kindness has the power to interrupt cycles of bitterness and create new pathways of peace. It turns conflict into an opportunity for grace. Churches, families, workplaces, and friendships thrive not when everyone is perfect but when kindness makes room for imperfection. Kindness helps us bridge misunderstandings, and it encourages maturity in our relationships. Where kindness abounds, community flourishes.
Practicing kindness, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, changes our hearts. It humbles us and turns our ears to God’s voice. It aligns our hearts with His love. Kindness is not just something we do; it’s someone we become as the Spirit forms Christ in us.
But it is also important to know what kindness is not. Kindness is not niceness without truth; it does not avoid hard conversations but approaches them gently and lovingly. Kindness is not embracing harmful behavior or excusing sin; it offers grace and truth. Kindness is not just being a people pleaser, seeking affirmation, but seeking the good of others to glorify God. Kindness is not just random acts without a continuing relationship of blessing others.
No one embodied kindness more perfectly than Jesus. He touched lepers no one would touch. He welcomed children others dismissed. He defended the broken, the shamed, and the overlooked. He restored dignity to the outcast and hope to the sinner. He spoke truth that healed instead of crushed. He laid down His life for those who rejected Him. Jesus did not show kindness from a distance, but He entered pain, noticed needs, stopped for individuals, and gave Himself fully. Following Jesus is to follow His example of radical, compassionate kindness.
True, Biblical kindness cannot be manufactured by willpower, but it is a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit grows kindness in us as we abide in Christ, allow God to transform our thoughts, pray for a compassionate heart, and slow down and take notice of those around us and how we can fill their needs in truth and love. Kindness grows through practice and faithfulness.
Unfortunately, several forces war against kindness in our hearts. Self-centeredness focuses on our needs, not others’. Busyness hinders kindness by not allowing time for it in our lives. Frustration and stress obstruct kindness because we are not at peace with God. Judgment of others causes us to withhold kindness when we think others don’t deserve it. To overcome these obstacles, we must draw daily from God’s kindness toward us. We love because He first loved us, and we show kindness because He first showed kindness to us.
Kindness may seem simple, but it is holy work. Every act of kindness is a seed of the Kingdom, and every kind act testifies to the power of the Spirit and the love of God in our lives. Pray and ask how you can make the love of Jesus tangible to those around you.
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