Did you know that as a Christian woman, you have a lot? I don’t know about you, but I often forget that. I feel I have little, whether it’s money, possessions, or the right tools to “get it done.” Sometimes this may be true— we all go through seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. Nevertheless, all the time we really do have all things— all the things that matter, anyway.
2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. All things. All things we need to live life and live a godly life. I’ll say it again, all things.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
This happens through the knowledge of Him. We come to know Him through spending time with Him in prayer and our quiet times— and through that knowledge, in His divine power, we have all things we need to walk out our faith.
As partakers of this divine nature, we have put off our old ways, and put on, in all diligence, His ways— faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, brotherly kindness, and the like.
The keyword here is diligence. The Lord gives us these things, but it takes diligence on our part— it takes a decision— to continually choose to put on these traits and live them out in our lives. It’s not passive. Just as we may have hangers of clothes in our closets, indeed we have clothes, yet we must make the decision to put them on in order to make them useful and effective in our lives. When we add these godly traits to our faith, we glorify God in our words, deeds, and life.
Colossians 3 tells us about 7 specific traits– what I like to call the Godly Woman Wardrobe. If you haven’t read the synopsis of these traits, start here: 7 Things Every Christian Woman Should Wear
Are you ready to step into the new? Today we’re looking at trait #2: Kindness.
What is kindness?
Kindness is compassion in action. Whereas compassion could simply be the feeling we have towards another in need— a sympathetic or empathetic thought or feeling— kindness is that feeling put into action. We don’t just look upon one who is suffering and feel sorry for them or feel their pain, we actually step in and do something about it.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness… ”
Kindness is an action. It’s the right words, the right gestures, and the right deeds. It communicates God’s love sincerely and plainly. Kindness has to be done and shown to another person.
RELATED: Part 1, The Godly Woman Wardrobe: 5 Ways to Show Compassion
Kindness is goodness towards others that involves your whole being and mellows any harshness within you. So, it’s not just being kind to someone—it’s that your BEING is kind. This means that it’s more than having good manners, right? Even the rudest of people can choose to have good manners when they want to. But, showing kindness is more than that.
Of course, as with any good thing, the example of kindness that we have comes from God Himself. So let’s take a look at His ultimate kindness so we can understand it a little bit better.
Kindness in the Bible
When we consider taking a tour through all the examples of kindness in the Bible, God’s kindness should be the first pit stop that we make. As the Maker of all things, He created kindness and embodies all there is to it. We need to look no further than who He is. Although we could pull many saints’ examples from Scripture, today we’re just going to focus on the One from who it all stems.
God’s ultimate kindness came in the form of the salvation He offers us. Even in our lowest and worst state, in our sin, His love still broke through and in His mercy and kindness He offered us a beautiful, free gift. This, of course, has nothing to do with us– we did nothing. We did not and cannot save ourselves. This is based on who He is, according to His mercy, faithfulness, and love.
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
In God’s kindness, goodness, and grace, He offers salvation to all— the Jew and the Gentile. We have been adopted and grafted into His beloved people, and we can choose to accept and remain in that kindness (Romans 11:22).
Yet in all of this, we shouldn’t think there is anything superior or special about us because we have experienced the kindness of God. God’s kindness is for everyone, for all. In the same respect, we also shouldn’t take it lightly. Despite our past, present, and future sins, He still remains faithful in His kindness toward us. For believers, in Christ, He no longer condemns us for past sins and doesn’t judge us for our current sins and future sins. For unbelievers, His kindness isn’t Him being slack– it’s meant to draw them to repentance. Thank God for the kindness He shows through His restraint, mercy, and patience (Romans 2:4).
What about us, sister? Can we show the same restraint, mercy, patience, and love in our lives?
A Kind Person: Are You?
As Christian women, kindness is something that should permeate our being. It’s not that we just choose to be kind in various situations, but the entire representation of our being should be that we are kind– who we are, at our core, is kindness. Titus 3:1 tells us that we should be ready for every good deed. This means that we aren’t sleeping on our kindness, sister! It’s a natural flow– we see a need, we fill it; we recognize that someone needs love, and we give it– simply because that’s who we are. We’re always ready, willing, and able.
The second verse of Titus 3 goes on to tell us specifically how kindness manifests itself in the life of a believer:
…to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. -Titus 3:2 NASB
Kindness, as our being, means we have a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). We don’t slander or strive to cause division and contention with others; it’s just not who we are. And how do we do all this? By “showing every consideration for all people.” We see others how the Lord sees them, through His lens and perspective, not ours. When this is our vantage point, we can’t help but see the woman next to us as a fellow person, created in the image of God, just like we are. We can’t help to realize that our sister in Christ, even with her flaws, is still holy, blameless, and beloved, just as we are (in all of our flaws!).
Sister, when you adopt His kindness as your own and it rules your being, then being kind is absolutely the only logical thing that makes sense. You can truly be a kind person because His power working through you gives you the grace, patience, wisdom, and self-control to be so.
How to Be Kind: 4 Biblical Principles
Showing kindness isn’t a huge feat when we’re walking step-in-step with the Spirit. Here are 4 practical and biblical ways that you can show kindness as you walk out your faith.
#1: Show kindness through the things you do.
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. -NKJV
You show kindness when you do things for others without expecting anything in return. You look out for others, offer a lending hand, and walk out the truth of the Word. One way to do this is to be the hands and feet of Jesus— you can share His truth by words, yes, but you must also share the truth of His character and His love (for all of us) by your deeds.
This goes for your enemies (Luke 6:35) and your friends, especially those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
So, make that meal, offer to babysit, help her to her car, and don’t repay evil for evil. So much can be conveyed about our Lord by our actions.
The Lord leads the way in Kindness: Free 5-Day Devotional
Do you need to remember all God has done for you? Often, we don’t take the time to sit and reflect on His provision. Nevertheless, He keeps providing, doesn’t He? Download this new, 5-day devotional study, look back, and remember the goodness He has lavished in your life in the areas of your faith, marriage, motherhood, home, and finances. Then, open your eyes to all He is doing for you right now. Fill out the form below.
#2: Be kind with your words.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. -Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
What does your speech sound like? Is kindness on your tongue all the time– in easy and hard situations? Even when you don’t agree with someone? Words are powerful and speak volumes about what’s in our hearts. The Word tells us to be sure what we have is edifying and imparts grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). This is possible when we’re walking by the Spirit and being mindful of what He wants us to say in any given situation.
But, speaking kindly can also be a planned, intentional decision. Look for nice things to say to a sister– about her new haircut, her outfit, or the way she handled a particular situation. Are you thankful for the way she shared her talent or gift with you or others? Say so. Be a noticer and someone who speaks up. Kind words will be remembered.
#3: Put others above self.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. -Romans 12:10 NKJV
We live in a world that says it’s acceptable to put yourself first. All the time, just look out for #1. Yet, this isn’t the way that Jesus lived. He always sought the needs of others first and took care of those around Him. He was about His Father’s business and lived to do His will. The same should be true for us.
When you live a life of kindness, brotherly love comes naturally. You care for the sister in your midst, whether she dropped a pacifier in front of your feet, or she’s grieving the loss of a loved one. No matter how busy you are in the moment, or how your day has shaped up so far, you take the time to give preference to others and help to meet their needs. You can extend yourself farther than you think you can, by the grace of God, through the strength of God.
#4: Forgive one another.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. -Luke 6:35-36 NKJV
Sister, we don’t deserve forgiveness from the Most High, yet He gives it to us through the blood of Christ. How can we not then extend that same forgiveness to others in our lives?
The Lord calls you to extend mercy– to follow the ultimate example of His kindness– His mercy, even to those who are unthankful and continue to live a life separated from His forgiveness. You’ll encounter some who care nothing of your forgiveness; they’ll still be spiteful and hateful toward you. Yet, it’s not your job to change their hearts. It is your job to love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. You do this out of obedience to Him, not because you’re hoping to receive love and mercy back from the other person.
Remember, kindness expects nothing in return.
Bible Verses about Kindness
There are so many Bible verses about kindness. Here are a few to get you started. I encourage you to do your own reading, and find the stories of saints throughout Scripture that speak volumes of a life lived in kindness.
Psalm 31:21 NKJV
Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!
Psalm 119:76 NKJV
Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.
Proverbs 19:22 NKJV
What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.
Galatians 5:22 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Ephesians 2:7 NKJV
…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Titus 3:1-8 NKJV
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.
Romans 2:4 NASB
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 11:22 CSB
Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you — if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
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