Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness – A Tender Heart Moved to Action
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22–23
Fruit Takes Root
When we hear the phrase “fruit of the Spirit”, we sometimes reduce it to a call to simply “be nice.” But Paul’s words go much deeper than surface-level politeness. The fruit of the Spirit is not about human niceness—it is about divine transformation.
Fruit only grows if it has roots. In the same way, kindness only flourishes when it is rooted in God. Left to ourselves, our kindness will often run dry or fall short. But when we draw from the deep well of the Spirit, God cultivates something in us that is beyond human effort. These fruits—love, joy, peace, kindness—are God’s own qualities planted into the very soil of our hearts.
And when we let God do this work, we are saying: “I am not content to stay the same. I want more of God in me.”
Kindness Is God’s Nature
Kindness is not just a pleasant personality trait—it is the very heart of God revealed. Scripture tells us that:
“When the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us…” (Titus 3:4–5)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
God’s incomparable grace is “expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6–7)
Kindness is brave. It was God’s kindness that led Him to the cross. True kindness will often require courage—it is not just soft sentiment but a willingness to act sacrificially for the sake of others.
What Kindness Means
The New Testament word for kindness, chrēstotēs, carries the idea of tender concern from the heart that naturally moves into action.
Kindness begins with a heart that is soft.
But it never stops there—it always leads to action.
Kindness is benevolent, useful, and willing to meet real needs, even when people do not treat us as they should.
So, biblical kindness is not simply a warm feeling. It is a tender heart that expresses itself in brave, loving deeds.
What Kind People Do
Paul and Jesus show us that kindness is practical. It changes how we speak, how we forgive, and how we treat those around us—even those who hurt us.
1. Kind People Let God Work on Their Heart
Kindness starts with heart-work.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31–32)
Kind people don’t hold grudges; they bless those who persecute them (Romans 12:14).
2. Kind People Ask for God’s Eyes
Kindness flows when we see people as God sees them.
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
It becomes part of our identity, not just an occasional act.
3. Kind People Put It into Action
In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–35), Jesus shows us kindness in motion. The Samaritan:
Stopped when he saw the need.
Saw the man with compassion.
Was moved deeply in his heart.
Acted—binding wounds, giving resources, spending time, following up.
In fact, in that short story alone, we can count at least 13 distinct acts of kindness. True kindness does something. It gets involved, it costs, it follows through.
A Tender Heart That Acts
Kindness, then, is much more than being “nice.” It is a Spirit-shaped heart that courageously acts on what is right.
So let me ask you:
Do you need to let God do some heart-work, removing bitterness and replacing it with forgiveness?
Do you need His eyes to see someone in your life the way He does?
Do you need to draw near to the Holy Spirit, to cultivate roots that will last?
Do you need to take the right action today—bravely, even if it is costly?
Kindness is not weakness. It is a reflection of the heart of God. It is a tender heart… moved to action.
✍️ Mark Ryan
Fresh insights… authentic… life application
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