Spiritual Gift of Kindness

 

    Kindness is natural for some when people are being good to them.  However, it takes the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to be kind to those that seek to harm you, cruel, or physically hurting you.  There is all sorts of pain out there that people inflict onto other people, but Christians need to find a way to be kind through it.  It is our kindness that makes us stand apart and just maybe convict the people causing harm to look for a different way.

    Kindness requires strength and resolution.  You have to decide to be kind even when it is not desirable or easy.  Kindness should not be taken lightly.  It is a deliberate action to be righteous.  It has the power to make someone's day better.  It can make you feel better.  It can convict someone of their sin and lead to repentance.  Kindness is serious.

    God rewards kindness because he understands that it is a 24/7 job.  We never have an excuse not to be kind and call ourselves Christians.  Kindness is also our strongest defense because it can't be fought against. It is a conquering element to your character or it is not.  When things are at it's worst, that is the time that you need to pull out kindness.

    Kindness is an expression of character.  Jesus used kindness when he pardoned sins.  It is an act of providing for needs.  It is protection against danger.  It can get you out of a lot of uncomfortable situation.  It is an answer to prayers.  It is Jesus' act of salvation and we need to be willing to show the world what he did for us all.

    Kindness is enabled by the Holy Spirit and rooted by Jesus to be able to be expressed in all situations.  Kindness is an act of love.  It is choosing to show mercy even when the other person may not deserve it.  It displays self-control because it enables you to do and say the right things instead of just reacting.

    Kindness is an act of obedience.  You can correct a person and still show kindness.  You just choose not to act emotionally, use harsh or cruel words, and lead by example.  That means apologizing when you are the one that has done wrong.

    Know your relationship with Jesus.  Rely on that relationship and use it as a guide on how to try to treat other people.  You can set boundaries and enforce the set boundaries without regret, fear, or guilt.  If you make your boundaries clear and the other person does not respect them, then you can give warnings out of love, but then it is okay to enforce what you warned.  It is because of the lack of respect of the other person that the relationship may be fractured or cut, not your boundaries.  It is actually an act of kindness to enforce your boundaries.

    The Holy Spirit is personally involved in your life, heart, and soul.  He is in every aspect of who you are.  It is wise to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He guides you on how to be kind.  It is not always black and white.  It depends on faith, truth, and discipline of God's Word.  Kindness always enables you to be friendly, easy-going, generous, and giving of yourself.

    Kindness is not appreciated by the people that chose a life of sin because it highlights what they are doing wrong.  That means that things typically get worse before they get better in relationships.  Sin breaks the heart of God, so it should be breaking your heart too.  Show your broken heart when you are acting in kindness.  It is important that you live transparently.  That is how your kindness can convict, chastise, and show discipline.  Do not let other people influence you to stop showing kindness.  Be kind as you are convicted to be kind.

Romans 2:1-4, 3:23-26, 12:6-8, Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 3:4-8, & 1 Peter 2:1-3