The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

The fifth fruit of the Spirit is kindness — 'gentleness,' in the King James Version. It's the warm, gracious way of treating others that reflects the heart of God. Here's a closer look at kindness as the fruit of the Spirit.

Treating others with grace

Kindness shows itself in how we treat people — with warmth, tenderness, and consideration rather than harshness. 'Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.' It's love made practical in a gentle word, a patient response, a helping hand.

Modelled on God's kindness

Our kindness is meant to reflect God's kindness to us — 'even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' It was God's kindness, the Bible says, that led us to repentance. Having received such gracious treatment from God, we're freed and called to extend it to others.

Kindness costs little, means much

Kindness is often found in small things — a gentle word, an unhurried moment, a mercy shown. These cost us little but can mean everything to someone struggling. In a harsh world, ordinary kindness is a powerful witness to the grace of God.

Grown by the Spirit

Genuine, consistent kindness — especially toward the difficult or undeserving — is beyond our natural bent. It's grown in us by the Spirit as we're shaped by God's own kindness. We cultivate it by remembering how kindly we've been treated by God.

Kindness, the fruit of the Spirit, treats others with warmth and grace, reflecting the kindness God has shown us. Often found in small, ordinary gestures, it's a quiet but powerful witness in a harsh world. As the Spirit shapes us with God's own tenderness, we become people through whom his kindness reaches others.