Noreen remembers her early years at school; kind words or sarcastic words from a teacher made a world of difference. King Solomon wrote, “kind words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs. 16:24). Noreen had experienced the same. One kind word could comfort, encourage, inspire, guide, motivate and give hope. Is the practice of kindness, in this violent world, a sign of weakness or strength?
Dying on the cross, Jesus prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”(Luke 23:34). Scriptures teach us to imitate Christ. When we are kind towards others, we reflect the great kindness of our heavenly Father. The Bible admonishes us, “be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians. 4:32). If we have genuinely experienced God’s forgiveness in our life, we will attempt to be kind to others, as well.
When our heart is aligned towards God, kindness and goodness overflow from us. But when our heart is aimed towards fulfilling desires of a wayward life, we reflect ways of the world.
Noreen has learnt from experience that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit of God you change. When she spends time with God in prayer and cries out to God she is empowered to spread the kindness of God. When we let go of selfishness and become an example of selflessness, we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit of God living in us.
A look at the state of affairs around us, shows us that we need God back in our lives; we need to imitate Christ Jesus. We need to be filled with the Spirit, but we can’t be filled with the Spirit if we are filled with the world! The fruit of the Spirit is kindness (Galatians 5:22). Is the fruit of kindness growing in us?