Summer Fruit · Week 5
Kindness
Chrestotes - Galatians 5:22-23
Kindness is not weakness - it is strength given away. Jesus was the kindest person who ever lived, and He was anything but weak.
Ephesians 4:32 · Colossians 3:12
Kindness lies & biblical truth
1
"Kindness is weakness."
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Our culture equates kindness with being a pushover - nice people finish last. We've been taught that strength means hardness. But look at Jesus: He healed lepers, wept at tombs, welcomed children, and forgave from the cross. Kind at every turn. Weak? Never.
Truth
Kindness is strength under control. It takes far more courage to be kind in the face of cruelty than to retaliate. Jesus was kind - and He most definitely was not weak. Biblical kindness (chrestotes) is moral goodness and benevolence expressed with intention. (Eph. 4:32)2
"Kindness is a give and take."
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We keep score. We're kind to people who are kind back. We withdraw kindness when it isn't returned. But that's not kindness - that's a transaction. Real kindness doesn't have a return policy.
Truth
The heart of kindness should never require someone to repay it back to you. God's kindness toward us was unconditional - He was kind to us while we were still sinners. Our kindness should reflect the same extravagance. "Love your enemies, and do good… expecting nothing in return." (Luke 6:35)3
"Kindness won't make a difference."
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What can one kind word, one meal, one phone call, one moment of attention really do? We minimize kindness because we can't always see its impact. So we don't bother.
Truth
Never underestimate the power of God in the moment He gives you. One act of kindness placed in God's hands can change a life - or a generation. You may never see the full fruit, but God wastes nothing. It is the kindness of God that leads people to repentance. (Rom. 2:4)4
"I don't really have anything to offer."
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We think kindness requires money, time, talent, or influence. We look at our hands and see nothing worth giving. So we stay on the sidelines, waiting until we have more to offer.
Truth
Kindness simply requires availability. You don't need a platform - you need a posture. Show up, make yourself available, and God will do the rest. "Put on… kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." It's something you wear - a choice, not a gift you're born with. (Col. 3:12)2 ways to walk in kindness
Way 1
Wake Up and Plan
Start each morning asking: Who needs kindness today? Intentional kindness doesn't happen by accident - it starts with a decision before the day begins.
Way 2
Look as You Live
Keep your eyes open as you go through your day. God places divine moments in your path. The question isn't whether the opportunity is there - it's whether you're looking.
Key scriptures
Ephesians 4:32
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"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Kindness is modeled after God's kindness - freely given, not earned.
Luke 6:35
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"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 is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
Romans 2:4
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"Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" It is kindness - not judgment - that opens hearts. Our kindness can do the same.
Colossians 3:12
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"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Kindness is something you put on - a daily choice.
Reflect
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Which kindness lie do I most believe?
Who is God asking me to show kindness to this week - and what would that look like?
Will I Wake Up and Plan, or Look as I Live - or both? What's my one next step?
Prayer
Jesus, make me kind like You. Help me give away strength, not keep score. Open my eyes to the people You've placed in my path, and make me available - one moment at a time. Amen.