Daily Devotional ~ Fruit of the Spirit ~ Kindness

💛 Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Kindness" by Casey Corum. Why not try asking alexa, siri, or google to play it for you?!

💜 Daily Verse: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
☆ Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NLT

🧡 Let's Talk About It: The Dalai Lama says, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Philo says, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” We can see kindness is not just a biblical concept but one in which people all over the world have clung to. But what does the Bible say? Clearly from today's scripture we know kindness to be a fruit of the Spirit, but does it teach us how we can be more kind?

Paul tells us, to be kind to one another and forgive one another as we have been forgiven by God (Eph. 4:32). This implies that we are kind when we forgive. He also tells us that love is kind (1 Cor. 13:4). So if we are loving on others, we know that we are being kind.

Paul also admonishes us to be kind because we are God's people and represent Him (Col. 3:12). He also teaches of how God's kindness towards us is supposed to help us overcome sin (Rom. 2:4). How much more helpful would it be if we were kind to the lost and broken as well? 

Finally, Paul let's us in on a little clue that we will be rewarded for our kindness (Phil. 4:17). This is not a new concept for the Israelites as Solomon wrote about the fact that kindness benefits those who practice it as well (Prov. 11:16-17).

Today, I want to challenge you to do 5 kind things for people. They can be as simple as opening a door, offering advice, providing encouragement, paying for a meal, or doing a household chore for your spouse, parents, kids, or friends. If you feel up to it, post about it below and let's share our idea of kindness with others!

❤ Additional Reading: Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
☆ Ephesians 4:32 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
☆ 1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
☆ Colossians 3:12 NLT

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
☆ Romans 2:4 NLT

I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
☆ Philippians 4:17 NLT

A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. ☆ Proverbs 11:16‭-‬17 NLT

💙 Prayer: Abba, thank you for this beautiful day today. Lord, thank you for your kindness. I know that the kindness I possess is simply an overflow of your love and kindness for me. Help me to be kind, even when I don't feel like, or when it is difficult. I want to spread your light, Adonai, and humbly ask that you help me to notice more opportunities to be kind. Jesus, thank you for being my example of what kindness looks like. I am so grateful that you do not merely teach me what to do, but have given be a book, the Bible, full of examples I can use to model my own behavior. Thank you for your protection, provision, favor, and blessings. I give you all the glory, God now and forever, may Your will be done! I love you Jesus, and in your name I pray, amen.

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