The fruit of the Spirit is... kindness.

The Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit. We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.

-Galatians 5:22-26

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We're called to kindness...

Excerpts, Bible verses and thoughts from and based on the

book A Woman's Walk With God and embellished by me.

 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God's proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

-Ephesians 4:29-32

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Defining kindness...

Kindness actively plans to do something, now. Kindness is: loving others more than ourselves, caring for the comfort and welfare of others more than our own, considering others more important than ourselves, and forgoes arguing.

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient.

-2 Timothy 2:24

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When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

-Philippians 2:3-4

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Cultivating Kindness...

          Caring is part of kindness!

          Thinking is part of kindness!

          Noticing is part of kindness!

          Touching is part of kindness!

         

Kindness is the next step we are to take after we have practiced patience when wronged!  How many times my natural response to some one who has just hurt me is to react  and decide, "Well, you're off my list!  I don't have to put up with that kind of treatment!  I'll just withhold my love from you!"  But moments like these are precisely when our faith and love for others is being tested and we can have a spiritual victory simply by making a choice to do the opposite of what our flesh desires, a choice to be kind.

Kindness is supernatural, especially to those who have hurt us and it requires God, the holy Spirit, filling us with HIS loving kindness. So we can be overflowing with perfect Him instead of flawed us.