When you watch the nightly news or follow social media it can be depressing. There’s so much violence, anger, hatred, meanness, jealousy, insecurity, and the list goes on. This is why the fruit of the Spirit is so needed and so counter cultural. The fruit of the Spirit catches people off guard. They expect a response just like they see in the news but the fruit of the Spirit is the exact opposite. This week we want to focus on the fruit of kindness.

Scripture
Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 3:4-5; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 19:14; Matthew 8:1-3;
Luke 23:33-34; John 8:2-11

Verse
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…. (Gal 5:22-23)

Thought
Kindness defined is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Would that accurately describe you? I hope so but maybe many times it doesn’t. Holy Spirit kindness is so powerful because of its cutting power. It cuts through to the heart of Jesus, it cuts out our pride, and it cuts past the defenses of others.

The heart of Jesus was to display Holy Spirit kindness to the least of these in his society. He engaged with children, with outcasts, and even with his enemies. His kindness was winsome because it was so unexpected. Kindness cuts out our pride because it causes us to focus on and consider others first. And finally it cuts past the defenses of others because it responds to harshness with love.

Questions
How are you doing when it comes to being kind to those around you? Have you reached out lately to serve those in our society that might be considered the least of these? If not, what could you do to get involved? How has your own pride kept you from being kind to others? How could an act of kindness cut past the defenses of those around you?

Response
Take 10 minutes each day this week to quiet yourself before God and ask Him to fill you with his kindness and to point out where you can be kind to others.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be filled with the kindness of the Holy Spirit. I need you to guide me in ministering to those outside my circle of comfort, to humbly consider others, and to lower my own defenses and respond with kindness in the face of harshness. Thank you for your love. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.