We live in a culture of contempt.
Bottom Line: Love counters contempt with kindness.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love acts kindly.
Kindness: taking action for the good of another.
Love cares more for others than for self
1 Corinthians 13:4
Kindness is NOT the same thing as niceness.
Kindness is NOT the same thing as gentleness.
Kindness is NOT the same thing as people-pleasing.
Kindness is NOT the same thing as conflict avoidance.
How do we grow in kindness?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
"The presence of kindness in your life is preeminent evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart."
— Aaron Menikoff
Kindness can be cultivated.
What gets in the way of kindness for you?
3 Culprits
- Self-centeredness
- Busyness
- Inconvenience
Action Steps
Prayerful Reflection
- Where does my understanding of kindness need to grow deeper?
- What is the biggest culprit that blocks acting with kindness in my life?
- Who might Jesus be inviting me to practice kindness with this week?
Practice
- Identify one person Jesus is calling you to engage with kindness.
- Prayerfully consider what might be good or beneficial to them.
- Do something that contributes to it.
