The Oxford Dictionary defines kindness as “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” This definition is helpful, but in reality, “kindness” is a hard word to define. The action of kindness, however, is easy to recognize. We immediately recognize kindness when we experience it and when we see others experiencing kindness. Those of us who have seen and experienced kindness know that kindness is powerful. Kindness can heal relationships, give people confidence, and help others to see that they are not alone. Kindness can also help us respond well when we are tempted to give in to anger.
The apostle Paul calls us to have a spirit of kindness instead of anger in Galatians 6. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature” (verse 8). When we live according to our sinful nature, one of the things we do is act out in anger. Living in this way leads to decay and death. Instead of living this way, Paul encourages us to “not get tired of doing what is good” because “at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (verse 9). When we show kindness to those around us and do good, we will reap the benefits. Paul concluded this teaching by saying, "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith" (verse 10). Instead of reacting in anger, we are to show kindness to the people around us by "do[ing] good to everyone.” This is one way that we can fight against the anger that we experience.
Kindness does not come naturally to us. God develops kindness in His followers as we grow in our relationships with Him. When we show kindness by doing good to those around us, we can let go of our anger and focus on how we can help others and point them to Christ. Will you make it your mission to show kindness today?
Commit today to show kindness to others and “do good to everyone.” When you see those who need help or encouragement, show them kindness and help or encourage them. As you make kindness your mission, you will fight against any anger that you may face in your life.
1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
