Kindness As a Fruit of the Spirit

True kindness is a product of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. On our own, humans do not tend toward kindness unless it benefits us in some way. But God’s kindness is selfless.

A quick Google search of the word “kindness” offers this definition: “Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” And that is part of it—on a surface level and from a human perspective. But if we look at the biblical account of God’s kindness, we will see that true kindness goes beyond common courtesy and a friendly demeanor. It comes from a place of love and mercy and is more selfless and comprehensive.

As humans, we often show kindness because we get something in return. It can be something as simple as a smile that makes us feel good for a moment, or it can be the overall view we want other people to have of us. It can even be something more physically obvious: “If I give them this, then they will give me that.” 

True kindness goes beyond common courtesy and a friendly demeanor. It comes from a place of love and mercy and is more selfless and comprehensive.

God isn’t like us, though. While we tend to show kindness for selfish reasons, He is kind for people’s benefit, not His own. He shows kindness in His relationship with humanity in various ways. He provides for people’s needs, gives comfort and hope, strength and courage, mercy and forgiveness, and everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). 

Also, unlike humans, who tend to show more kindness to the people we like, God is kind to all mankind; to His followers, of course, but He is also kind to ungrateful and evil people. The best example of God’s selfless kindness is how He gave His only Son, Jesus, to save us! He did it while we were still sinners—we were still enemies of God! Yet He showed us this kindness. It is undeserved favor from God! He shows us kindness so that it will get our attention, make us see what kind of God He is, and it will lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and to salvation.

Could you do that for your enemies; show that level of kindness to someone who hates you? If we are fueled by our own strength, then the answer is no. But if the Holy Spirit lives within us, then He is able to have the fruit of the Spirit (including kindness) grow within us. Again, this goes well beyond showing common courtesy like holding a door open or giving a friendly greeting. It is giving of your time, energy, and resources selflessly (even to people who don’t deserve it) with no expectation of getting anything back for yourself in the hopes of pointing others to Christ. 

In Luke 6:35, the Bible says to “love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people” (NASB). So today, if you want to display true kindness as a fruit of the Spirit, pray for God’s help in this area. Ask Him to help you go above and beyond being merely friendly and considerate, and help you grow into being selfless, comforting, encouraging, merciful, forgiving, and generous without expectation, just as He is.