“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”
We now come to the second fruit in the second triad. The second triad of the fruit of the Spirit directed toward others is “kindness.”
kindness,
“Kindness” carries the idea of goodness or generosity. This person is upright toward others; thus, he has a sense of kindness toward them. This quality is both an attitude and an action. It expresses itself by implementing kindness and concrete compassion toward others.
“Kindness” is benevolence in action; it is the capacity to be generous toward others. This is a person who says the right thing at the right time. Sometimes, a kind person keeps his mouth shut at the right time. This believer keeps the well-being of others foremost.
“Kindness” is compassion in action, a category of love. It is someone who acknowledges God’s grace in their life and acts on that grace toward others.
Principle:
A kind person cares about others and is generous toward them.
Application:
Kindness is active benevolence toward others that mimics God’s kindness toward us (Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:7). If God is kind toward us, we should be kind toward others (2 Corinthians 6:6; Colossians 3:12).
A kind person is not preoccupied with himself or concerned about injuries inflicted by others. He does not retaliate against personal wrongs. If what we say injures or slanders another person, this is the opposite of kindness.
“Love suffers long and is kind…” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…” (Colossians 3:12).
Sometimes, it is better to keep our mouths shut if our words hurt others. We are very adept at injuring and slandering others. If there is anyone on the face of the earth who ought to be kind to others, it is the child of God.
“Kindness” is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. A kind person carries a spirit of equanimity; he has no variation in his temperament, for he is not cast down by defeat nor overly elated at some victory. He does not react to every adversity that comes his way. On the other hand, he entirely depends on God and commits his cause to Him. He leaves vengeance to God’s sense of justice.
