The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Gal. 5:22).

Kindness is one of the greatest weapons in kingdom warfare. It is God’s principal instrument for leading people to repentance.

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance?” (Rom. 2:4).

God used Paul to give Timothy instruction on how to witness and how not to witness:

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:23–26).

People do not usually associate the words “kindness” and “repentance.” Repent is considered a harsh word. But kindness and gentleness are God’s means of bringing people to repentance.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Cor. 13:4).

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Cor. 6:3–7).

If we are witnessing in power in the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:5), we will be witnessing with kindness.

*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

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