THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS KINDNESS

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The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering”
(Col. 3:12, NKJV).



Kindness: For Better or for Worse
Charles Nyaranga, Nairobi, Kenya
sabbath Introduction
Prov. 15:1–5; Col. 3:12–14

Many stories have been told about how acts of kindness have saved souls. I experienced firsthand one such story. While a student at Spicer College, I spent one summer as a colporteur in a farming area of Norway. I was going from door to door in Hallingdal Valley to present my books when I met Amund Granli, a band owner, who shouted from a distance, “I don’t believe in God. Nei Takk.” Nei Takk means “no thank you.” These words can be a sign of unfriendliness, especially to anyone who might be a door-to-door salesman, or even worse, if you have dark skin like mine. I stood at the gate, looked at him, and innocently asked in my broken Norwegian, “Kindly spare me a minute to tell you what brought me all the way from Kenya to your door.”
Many people in Norway do not believe in God. So it was my response to their unbelief that made the difference. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (NKJV). The wise man continues to say in verse 4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life” (NKJV). Any word or act impacts the life of the recipient for better or for worse.

“Kindly spare me a minute to tell you what brought me all the way from Kenya to your door.”

Mr. Granli later told me that he let me into his home because of my kind response. We shared experiences. Mr. Granli purchased some books, and he taught me how to play guitar.

It is a privilege to give people joy through deeds and words of kindness. Kindness links families with the Divine. It can even bring about peace. God’s people are to spearhead peace through kindness. Paul says in Colossians 3:12 to put on kindness, just as when we get up in the morning, we put on clothes. Anyone who has been called to eternal salvation is called to kindness. As you study this week’s lesson, think about what acts of kindness Christ is calling you to do. But be sure to do more than just think. Be kind, also.

REACT
How have you experienced the power of kind words as one who gave them and as one who received them?



Love in Any Language
Caleb Muasya, Nairobi, Kenya
Sunday Evidence
1 John 3:17−19

Those people who notice the beauty of roses more than their thorns would most likely appreciate the heights to which kindness can lift the human race. The title for today’s article refers to behavior as opposed to language. According to many dictionaries, kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Kind actions generally do speak louder than kind words alone.

“No amount of talk of Christian love will take the place of a kindly action to a man in need.”

Galatians 5:22 says that kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Does this mean that only Christians can practice this virtue?

One answer may be that God created us in His image (Gen. 1:26) and that despite sin, as we draw closer to Him through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to become kinder, gentler people.

On the other hand, one may argue that God can use anyone or anything to meet the needs of His people. Scripture shows us that He used people who did not profess belief in Him and even animals to care for and protect His people. Read 1 Kings 17:1–6 and Joshua 2:1–22.

First John 3:17–19 makes it clear that God expects us to talk less and act more. “When we love in deed and truth, we receive an assurance of the reality of our conversion. Thus our own fruits inform us as to the genuineness of our profession even as the lives of others witness to their sincerity (Matt. 7:16–20).”1

“Fine words will never take the place of fine deeds; and no amount of talk of Christian love will take the place of a kindly action to a man in need, involving some self-sacrifice, for in that action the principle of the Cross is operative again.”2

REACT
Meditate on Philippians 4:13. How does this verse give you hope regarding living a life of kindness?
____________
1. The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 656.
2. William Barclay, The Letters of John and Jude, rev. ed. (Philadelphia, Penn.: Westminster Press, 1976), p. 84.



Kindness: A Weakness or a Virtue?
Caroline Mwelu, Nairobi, Kenya
Monday Logos
2 Sam. 9:1–13; Prov. 15:1–5; 25:11–15;
Matt. 5:43–48; Luke 6:35, 38;
Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12–14

A woman constantly complained to her husband about the untidiness of their next-door neighbor. Through their glass-paned window, she often saw dirty laundry hanging on the neighbor’s veranda whenever the neighbor woman washed the family’s clothes. One fine morning, this perturbed woman looked across the way and was shocked to see a clean wash hanging on the veranda. “Here! Look!” she called to her husband. “They must have learned how to do laundry the proper way. I wonder who taught them?”

Our lives should be Christ-centered. Our characters must speak of Him who called us.

The husband smiled and whispered to his wife, “I woke up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

A Noble Trait (Col. 3:12–14)
Many people in the world today view kindness as a weakness. However, the Bible teaches us that this is not the case. Kindness is a noble trait. It is love in action, for love cannot exist long without expression. Therefore, we are right to conclude that kindness is a practical love.

The Greek word for “kindness” is chtr-estot-es, which translates as “goodness,” “gentleness,” and “excellence” (see Romans 3:12; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:7). “This word expresses love in action (1 Cor. 13:4). It is descriptive of gentle, gracious, kindly consideration, both in disposition and action, toward the needs of one’s neighbor.”1

Approximately two years ago in Kenya, we faced the most difficult time in our country’s history. Consisting of more than 40 distinct tribes/dialects, Kenya had long been a haven of peace in Africa. However, in late December 2007, the people elected new political leaders. Poll results were disputed, and many turned against their neighbors. During the first part of the new year, neighbors killed neighbors and wantonly destroyed each other’s property. Fear and panic spread like a tsunami.

In one area, a church building sheltered scores of people seeking safety, after many other supposedly safe places had been set on fire. However, this church also was set ablaze. One woman, who managed to come out of this burning church building with her child, was confronted by a waiting mob, whose members slashed her and her child with swords and threw them back into the fire. Rather than finding the peace and love of the God that this building represented, the people inside died a savage death.

In Colossians 3:12, Paul wrote, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”

Here the apostle stresses the need for a voluntary act by which Christians take
upon themselves the likeness of Christ and His character. In calling us “the elect of God,” he is saying that we are subjects of the kingdom of heaven. All who have accepted Christ, irrespective of national, religious, racial, and social distinctions, are God’s elect. Paul urges us to put on “bowels of . . . kindness.” In Greek, “bowels” is splagchna, which means “the inward parts” or “the seat of emotions.”2 Our lives should be Christ-centered. Our characters must speak of Him who called us.

The Measure of God’s Kingdom (2 Sam. 9:1−13; John 13:1−30)
Second Samuel 9:1–13 contains a story that shows us what it means to be kind. King Saul wanted David dead. Yet after Saul’s death, and for the sake of Saul’s son Jonathan, David asks if there is any one left of Saul’s family to whom he can show kindness. The answer was Yes—Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth. Read this touching story if you haven’t already done so.

We also should remember Jesus’ kindness toward Judas, the disciple who betrayed Him. Christ knew what Judas was going to do. Yet in washing Judas’s feet, Jesus kindly performed the task only a foreign slave was assigned. If this lowly act could not convince Judas of Jesus’ love, nothing else would. Perhaps he viewed Jesus’ behavior that night as a sign of weakness—an action unbefitting someone who claimed to be his King.

More often than not, many people in the world today view kind deeds as signs of weakness. However, we need to remember that kind deeds performed as a result of our relationship with Christ are recorded in the books of heaven. Let us never engage in a cost-benefit analysis to help us decide if we should do this or that act of kindness. Being kind should never be about how we can bene-fit by our deeds of kindness, but about how others might benefit, regardless of what it might cost us.

As Christians, we are to make sure that our words and deeds reflect our Savior’s character. Learning from Him daily helps us to be aware of His character and of His expectations for us. Being kind is one of His expectations. Let us always remember that love and truth are the foundation of His kingdom. Sincere kindness is the measure of that foundation. It is the practical aspect of our religion.

REACT
1. Which acts of kindness cause you to engage in cost-benefit analysis thinking, and why? What if Christ had considered His acts of kindness in such a way?
2. Heaven maintains a record of our kind deeds. If you, too, kept such a list, would it match the one above? If not, what reason can you give for the variance?
____________
1. The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 212.
2. Ibid.



“Kindness on Your Lips”
Maganjo Kimani, Nairobi, Kenya
Tuesday Testimony
Prov. 31:26; Matt. 5:43−45

Once I came across a stalled public-service vehicle. The passengers were reluctant to leave the vehicle and push it so that the driver could jump-start it. So he requested me and some other pedestrians to help, which we gladly did.

Acts of kindness should be a normal part of our daily lives. This is possible only so far as the Holy Spirit lives in us. When we are filled with His presence, we will not wait for people to ask us for help. Instead, we will show kindness at every opportunity that presents itself without being prompted to do so.

We should not be selective about whom we show kindness to.

Ellen G. White wrote, “Your influence reaches the soul; you touch not a wire but that it vibrates back to God. . . . It is your duty to be Christians in the highest sense of the word—‘Christlike.’ It is through the unseen lines that attract you to other minds with which you are brought in contact that may, if you are in constant connection with God, leave impressions that will make you a savor of life unto life. Otherwise, if you are selfish, if you are self-exalted, if you are worldly-minded, no matter what your position, no matter what your experience has been, or how much you know, if you are not having the law of kindness on your lips, sweet fragrance of love springing from your heart, you can do nothing as it ought to be done.”*

We should not be selective about whom we show kindness to. Read what Jesus had to say about selectivity in Matthew 5:43–45.

We should also be kind to people whom we really have no obligation to help. In 2 Samuel 9:1–13, we read about David wanting to be kind to any one left of Saul’s family, even though Saul had wanted David dead. Also, Jesus talks about the man who was attacked by thieves and left on the roadside. The priest and the Levite, supposedly godly people, left him unattended, while a Samaritan, a member of a hated people, took him to an inn, paid for his care, and was willing to pay more should the need have arisen (Luke 10:30–37).

REACT
1. How many times have you gone out of your way to show an act of kindness to someone to whom you had no obligation?
2. In what ways are you emulating the types of kindness described in the Bible?
____________
*My Life Today , p. 178.



A Sincere Expression
Viola Ayoo Odipo, Nairobi, Kenya
Wednesday How-to
Eph. 4:32

As a fruit of the Spirit, kindness must be manifested by all Christians. Kindness is seen through the Christian’s speech and conduct, and like all the other spiritual fruit, it cannot exist independently.

All night long, the angry mob went door to door searching for the Kikuyus.

During the 2007–2008 postelection violence in Kenya, many people died. The worst hit areas were the home bases of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) of Kenya. Kibera, one of the bases, experienced the worst form of violence. One of the estates had a sizable population of Kikuyus—members of the Bantu-speaking people of Kenya. When the violence erupted late one evening, most of the Kikuyus were trapped and could not escape the members of the ODM party, who bayed for their blood. The angry mob broke into their houses to destroy their lives and property. Many Kikuyus were hidden by their neighbors, who were themselves enemies of the Kikuyus. All night long, the angry mob went door to door searching for the Kikuyus. But the kindness of their enemy neighbors saved them!

How can we forgive people who want to hurt us, or, even worse, kill us?

Without kindness it is impossible to forgive. Those whose family members were killed in Kenya cannot forgive those who hurt them by their own might. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. So they need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help them fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:43–48.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, speaking kind words about those who dislike us can help us to forgive them. Speaking kindly to people who are angry can help them to be calm. Read Proverbs 15:1; 25:11. Whenever we speak, our words should encourage others.

The promise to us is that if we are kind to those who are not kind to us and to those who are in need, He will reward us. Read Matthew 10:40–42.

REACT
1. Think of someone you need to forgive. Based on today’s article, prayerfully plan how you can do so.
2. Consider events that have occurred in your country. How were acts of kindness shown during the course of these events?


Love’s Checklist
Susan Nzyoki, Eldoret, Kenya
Thursday Opinion
Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12−14

“Kindness is love walking the extra mile even for the undeserving. It is another dynamic facet of love. There is no such thing as passive kindness. It is that part of love that is always engaged in doing good. Kindness is practical love. God always expresses His unfailing kindness to His children. Kindness is always ready to go the extra mile. It is that way because it stems from the fruit of the spirit. People who have spiritual strength are naturally kind. One cannot love and not be kind; neither can one be kind and not love. Because kindness is love in action; it is also unconditional. Love exhibits kindness under all circumstances of life, whether friendly or unfriendly. Kindness is a thermometer by which love is measured.”*

“Kindness is a thermometer by which love is measured.”

If we are kind, we will do good things for other people with no thought of reward or recognition. It is difficult to be kind to people who do bad things to us, who speak harsh words to us and about us. But when the Holy Spirit grows kindness in us, we will find it ever easier to be kind even to those who mistreat us. To a Christian, kindness has no demarcation line. We will be kind to believers and nonbelievers, to our enemies as well as to our friends.

This reminds me of a story about a manager who did not like one of his workers because the worker was a Christian. The manager demoted this worker, unfairly citing that the worker was not qualified for the job and that he often missed work and did not attend important meetings.

One day the manager’s wife needed to visit some relatives in a city that was unfamiliar to her. The only person who knew the city well was the particular worker the manager did not like. This worker learned that the manager’s wife needed to go to this city, so he asked the manager if he could be of some help. The manager was embarrassed to think that even after he had unfairly treated this man, the man would still offer his assistance. Humbled, he accepted the worker’s offer to help.

What was it that made the worker act kindly to his manager? Unconditional love. He knew that when his Savior lived on earth, He was kind to all—even to those who were unkind to Him.
____________
* George Brown, The Fruit of the Spirit (U.K.: Stanborough Press, 1998), pp. 60–64.



Creating a Kinder World
Leslie Oosterbaan, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.
Friday Exploration
Zech. 7:9; Gal. 6:10

CONCLUDE
If you listen to any newscast or read any newspaper, it is evident that kindness is in short supply on planet Earth. The type of kindness Christ demonstrated involves friendliness, generosity, and gentleness in both speech and conduct. It is the practical aspect of Christianity, and therefore, it should involve all aspects of living. We are to be kind not only to people we like, but also to people whom we find objectionable; and we are to be kind without expecting anything in return. Imagine what the world would be like if more people, even Christians, were truly kind. How might newspapers read then?

CONSIDER
Designing a poster or using modeling clay to depict the way the paragraph
• above defines kindness.
•Counting the number of references in a biblical concordance that have to do with kindness. Look under the words kindness, lovingkindness, kind, and kindly. Read a few of the verses listed under each word, analyzing the context of each situation. What do they teach you about this particular fruit of the Spirit?
•Researching the effects that being kind has on one’s physical and mental • health. If you use your computer to do this, key in the phrase “the effects of kindness on health” and the name “Allan Luks.”
•Singing the song “ ’Tis Love That Makes Us Happy” (no. 579 in • The
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal). Consider how love helps us to be kind.
•Organizing a Smile Group with your friends. For ideas on how to get started, go to HelpOthers.org at http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=10369.
•Doing one intentional act of kindness each day for a week, even if it’s only • something small, like picking up something that someone else dropped. Keep a journal of what you did each day, noting the response of the person(s) involved and how you felt.
•Reading the book • Random Acts of Kindness by Animals by Stephanie Laland.

CONNECT
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 539, 540.
Allan Luks, The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others (Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse, 2001).
Pay It Forward Foundation at http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/
educators/index.html.

http://www.cqbiblestudy.org/site/1/lessons/2010-1/English/STUDENT/CQ-10-Q1-06.pdf