The fruit of the Spirit is...kindness...

We now consider the next component of the fruit of the Spirit: kindness, the state or quality of being kind. Random House Dictionary (c) 2011 defines "kind" as "having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence." Hence, kindness is the state or quality of having, showing or proceeding from benevolence, that is, a "desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness." (From the same source.)

The Greek word from which "kindness" is translated in Galatians 5:22 is Chrestotes, which has the definition, "moral goodness, integrity; benignity, kindness." It is clear, that the word "kindness" is not one that has a controversial meaning. It amounts to having a benevolent or charitable nature. Now that is a pretty nice piece of fruit.

In looking into the uses of this word in Scripture, we find some interesting things. In the New King James translation, the word kindness appears 46 times. In 14 of those instances, we learn that kindness begets kindness. For example, after Saul, who hunted David relentlessly in order to kill him, was himself killed, David wanted to show kindness to his survivors, because Jonathan, Saul's son, had been kind to David. (2 Samuel 9)

I believe kindness is one of God's most powerful attributes, and as such, it is no surprise that the Holy Spirit would endow those whom He indwells with kindness. What is more compelling than kindness? One function of the Holy Spirit is to draw people to Jesus; another is to glorify Jesus. (John 16:14) That means to honor Him with praise, admiration, or worship. To whom are we more likely to be drawn, and whom are we more likely to honor with praise, admiration, or worship than someone who has shown us kindness?

In fact, no one in history has been a purveyor of kindness like Jesus, "in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Jesus told His disciples, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13) May we agree that such an act can only come out of a spirit of "goodwill; charitableness?"

I glean from this discussion that acts of kindness are acts of love. Recall that the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I have argued in a previous post that LOVE had to be the first component of the fruit of the Spirit, and here is corroboration for that position.

So, how shall this part of the fruit manifest itself? It is easy enough for us to be kind to others who have been kind to us; or to those for whom we feel love. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the disciples,

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?^" Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48, emphasis added.)

Am I wrong in believing that "love," "bless," "do good" and "pray for those" are words that suggest goodwill; charitableness? I think not. Jesus expects us to show kindness to our "enemies," "those who curse us," "those who hate us," and "those who spitefully use us." I don't know about you, Gunny, but I see that as a tall order. I don't think I can do that in my flesh. Perhaps, that is why the Holy Spirit endows us with His own kindness.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church,

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21)

Can you see the power of kindness? When I was practicing dentistry, I learned (and this may come as a surprise to you) that dental patients can become adversarial at times. The best defuser of such situations, I eventually learned, was kindness. The meaner, the nastier, the more abusive a patient would become, the more solicitous and humble I grew, even when the patient was being entirely unreasonable. "Kill 'em with kindness" was the phrase I encouraged my staff to remember. The end result was invariably that the patient calmed down, and we were able to get to the root of his problem (you should pardon the pun.) Heaping those coals of fire on his head (perhaps not intuitively) cooled him off.

So, Corporal, let us walk in the Spirit, that we might bear the fruit of the Spirit, including kindness which overcomes evil with good.