What Kindness Is Not

Ephesians 4:17-32

"Be kind and compassionate to one another ..." (v 32)

Did you ever see a group of people who had a wrong concept of kindness, viewing it as just gushy sentimentality. It is surprising how corrupt the word "kindness" has become, in both Christian and non-Christian life.

Some Christians accept the word because it is used in Scripture, but have no real desire to acquire the virtue because, to them, it suggest of excessive and weakness. The world uses the word but, separated as it is from any thought of God, "kindness" comes out as a mild compensation for a lack of firmness and clear thinking. People say, rather patronizingly in some cases: "Oh, he's a kind fellow" -- and they leave it there. The word has come to wear thin in the world (and in some parts of the Church), so there is a great need to see it coined afresh and gleaming bright in the business of modern-day Christian life.

Think still further about what kindness, the fruit of the Spirit, is not. Kindness is not being a " do-gooder ". In fact, the word in the original Greek does not imply active goodness but a disposition of goodwill, although active goodness may be one expression of it. Many think of kindness as giving money to people who have a financial need, but just giving money to people who appear to need it, without being guided by the Spirit, can result in great harm. Giving to people at the wrong time can take away from them something more precious than what is being given. There are few things in which we have more need of the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit than in our giving.

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven I pray we can hold to the kindness that is from You, that is helping in the right way, a kindness that never runs our of style, that last a life time, and does only good. Lord give us the Spirit of true kindness. Thank You Lord.

In the name of Jesus. Amen

TGIF