The Fruit of the Spirit: “Kindness”

Galatians 5:22–23 (NASB)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Key truths to keep in mind as we study the Fruit of the Spirit:

1. There is only one Fruit of the Spirit.

(v. 22) “But the FRUIT…”

It is a singular in the English and the Greek. It is a singular fruit with 9 distinct aspects: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control…”

2. The Holy Spirit is the source of the Fruit of the Spirit.

(v. 22) “…the fruit OF THE SPIRIT……

John 15:5 (NASB)

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

So far we have looked at love, joy, peace and patience. This week, the next characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit that we are examining, is… KINDNESS.

Ephesians 4:17–32 (NASB)

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

What is the difference between love and kindness?

Love is the reason and purpose behind what we do and say. It is about treating people that way God would have us treat them. Love sacrifices self for God and others.

Biblical kindness is motivated by the love of God and requires the love of God, but it is manifested somewhat differently. Kindness is the practical application of mercy and grace in dealing with other people, especially when they have sinned against us.

The kindness of God:

Titus 3:3–7 (NASB)

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

God’s kindness changes us.

Romans 2:4 (NASB)

4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

(v. 17-24) 17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

The Kindness of God changes what we think about people.

(v. 23) “…and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind...”

Notice I didn’t say, “what we think about others.

It changes what we think about people, and that includes us!

What we think about fellow sinners.

(v. 32) “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Romans 3:23 (NASB)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

If we don’t forgive others, we too have hardness of heart!

(v. 32) “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

(v. 31) “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor…along with all malice.”

Hebrews 12:15 (NASB)

15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…

When we forget we too are sinners in need of mercy and grace, we will easily become angry with people. We will be wrathful. We will clamor along and grow bitter. We will be malicious.

Those are all characteristics of hard hearts.

Kindness is comes from a tender heart and the Holy Spirit tenderizes our hearts with grace filled truth of God.

We are not naturally that way and that’s why Paul says…

(v. 23) “…and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind...”

We need the mind of Christ Jesus!

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 (NASB)

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

How did Jesus think about people?

Luke 23:34 (NASB)

34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

(v. 18) “…being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart…”

Matthew 5:44–45 (NASB)

44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

What we think about fellow saints.

(v. 25) “…we are members of one another.”

John 13:34–35 (NASB)

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 18:15–17 (NASB)

15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:21–22 (NASB)

21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matthew 6:15 (NASB)

15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Kindness doesn’t have a limit.

“That’s it! No more kindness!”

That’s not how kindness works!

(v. 32) “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 1:7 (NASB)

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…

The Kindness of God changes how we talk to people (and how we talk about people).

(v. 29) “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

That’s talk to.

This is talk about…

(v. 31) “Let all…slander be put away from you…”

Gossip has not place in the life of a Christian!

And don’t use prayer requests as an excuse to gossip!

Kindness changes how we talk to people and about people. It requires we speak graciously and mercifully.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

6 Let your speech always be gracious…

Colossians 3:8 (ESV)

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

2 Timothy 2:24–26 (NASB)

24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Notice that the Holy Spirit will use that kind mind He has renewed, so that thinking correctly about people, we will speak kindly, having our words seasoned with grace.

James 3:2–12 (NASB)

2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

(v. 25) “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor…”

Proverbs 26:28 (NASB)

28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Ephesians 4:15 (NASB)

15 but speaking the truth in love…

Pray and ask God to change how you think and what you say.

Psalm 19:14 (NASB)

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

It changes how we treat people.

(v. 28) “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

Micah 6:8 (NASB)

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

1 John 3:16–18 (ESV)

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Deuteronomy 15:7–8 (NASB)

7 “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

Matthew 5:38–41 (NASB)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Galatians 6:10 (NASB)

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

In closing:

26 …do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Don’t delay!

Romans 2:4 (NASB)

4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Do you know the kindness of God in Christ Jesus?

He is calling you to Himself today!

Are you showing people the kindness of God?

The Holy Spirit wants to use you today!

Memory Verse of the Week:

Ephesians 4:32 (NASB)

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.