Kindness/Goodness/Faithfulness/Gentleness

Fruit of Kindness

It is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate towards others, often putting their needs before one's own.

Kindness χρηστότης (chréstotés) conveys the meaning of moral goodness, integrity, usefulness, and benignity. In the King James Version, this word is translated as “gentleness,” which links it to the meaning of a gentleman or a gentlewoman who behaved properly, with moral integrity and kindness.   

Romans 2:4 reminds us that God’s mercy and grace should lead us to repentance, not judgment. The Holy Spirit enables us to have moral integrity with kindness and not get trapped in self-righteous judgment.

Romans 2:4 CSB

4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

What does Kindness look like in the life of a Christian?

What are some flesh “leavening” (Provisions of the Flesh) that keep Kindness from overflowing?

Fruit of Goodness

Goodness signifies moral excellence and integrity in character and actions.

Goodness ἀγαθωσύνη (agathosune) means uprightness of heart and life, goodness, and kindness.  Goodness is seen in our actions. This word relates to not only being good but also doing good things.

 The Contemporary English Version of 2 Thessalonians 1:11 highlights this meaning, “We pray for God's power to help you do all the good things you hope to do and your faith makes you want to do.”  Through the Holy Spirit's work in Christians' lives, they are upright in the heart and do good things.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 NKJV

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

What does Goodness look like in the life of a Christian?

What are some flesh “leavening” (Provisions of the Flesh) that keep Goodness from overflowing?

Fruit of Faithfulness

This virtue relates to loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness in one's commitments and relationships.

Faithfulness πίστις (pistis) is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Faithfulness is a character trait that combines dependability and trust based on our confidence in God and His eternal faithfulness.

In the New Testament, faith is the belief in God and the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation.

 “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

2 Thessalonians 1:11 NKJV

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

What does Faithfulness look like in the life of a Christian?

What are some flesh “leavening” (Provisions of the Flesh) that keep Faithfulness from overflowing?

Fruit of Gentleness

Involves having a gentle and humble spirit, showing humility and compassion towards others.

Gentleness πρᾳΰτης (prautes) was translated as “meekness” in the King James Version, but because being meek seemed weak, modern translations of the Bible use gentleness to mean mildness of disposition.

Baker’s Evangelical Bible Dictionary explains, “Meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up. The use of the Greek word when applied to animals makes this clear, for it means ‘tame’ when applied to wild animals. In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.”

Jesus describes himself as gentle in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:29 NKJV

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

What does Gentleness look like in the life of a Christian?

What are some flesh “leavening” (Provisions of the Flesh) that keep Gentleness from overflowing?