#95: Be Kind

“Be kind!” It sounds so easy however, displaying kindness all the time is definitely easier said than done. It is easy to be nice when others around you are being nice, but what happens when they are crabby, they challenge you, or do not perform the way you want? Returning kindness in these situations can be very difficult. It is almost like kindness is a reward you give when things are going your way. As you can imagine, your Lord has something to say about your display of kindness.

James 3:14-16 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Unkindness can erupt from many different sources, but two of them are bitter envying and strife in your heart. To justify your unkindness as anything else is a lie. It gets worse when God calls your unkindness as “earthly, sensual, devilish.” There simply is no place for unkindness when you are a child of God and trying to bring a smile to his face.

It is true that some people are just naturally kind while others find it more of a challenge. It might be easier for them to maintain kindness in difficult situations. While this might be true, it does not relieve you from your responsibility to have more control over your display of kindness.

Why is being kind so important to God? He desires for you to draw others toward you so you can work his purposes in their life. By others being drawn closer to you, they are being drawn closer to Christ because he is in you. Kindness is a requirement and is a fruit of the Christian. How you act towards others will either draw them closer to you or push them away. You must be kind; you must be nice to others for God’s glory.

James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Kindness is a tool you use to make peace. Anything short of pure kindness you are kindling strife. Bitter envying, and strife walk hand-in-hand with a hateful attitude and your “beast” comes out to consume the person that has upset you. This unkindness does not reflect Christ, it does not draw others toward him and it does not create peace.

Unfortunately you cannot just decide to be kind and suddenly it happens. Kindness is born from the heart condition. To truly be kind you have to identify and deal with bitter envying and strife in your heart. Do you see sin in someone’s life and feel the need to play the role of the Holy Spirit in their life by not being nice to them? Are you disguised by the presence of someone? Has someone disappointed you? You might want to conclude that being unkind and distant will convict them of their sin. Seems ridiculous, but I am sure we are all guilty carrying out this plan in one form or another. Let God convict others of their sins. Your job is to be kind to the sinner.

Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Maybe you are not kind because you want to keep people away. Someone hurt you or disappointed you once, and it is safer to keep people at a distance. This is accomplished by not being nice. Let God take your burden of hurt so you can be kind. Let the Lord be your defender. Stop punishing others for something someone else did. Let someone be nice to you and you return the gift.

Psalm 81:6-7 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

It is a huge burden to carry around a past offence. Stop being “hurt” and feeling offended; give the burden to the Lord so you are free to be kind and draw others toward God.

Even in personal conflict God has an expectation that you would be kind. Just because you are in a disagreement with a friend or your husband, does not give you the liberty to act however you want. You still have to be kind. You still have to reflect God. How do you treat God’s family when you are in conflict? Have you been nice or did you take advantage of the situation and “speak your mind?” God wants you be nice even during conflict.

Being kind is a gift you give with no promise of return.

Deuteronomy 24:20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

God tells the gardener to not glean twice, to leave some olives for the poor and fatherless. There is no return for his kindness. The widows and fatherless will come, take of the olives, and leave. God expects him to be kind anyway. The kindness you display to others is shown in the same way. Your kindness is an undeserved gift you give to someone else with no promise of return. Sometimes we are so stingy. We do not want to give kindness away unless it is purchased, deserved, or returned.

Be kind! It is easier than you think when you get rid of envying and strife and replace it with thankfulness and joy.

Lord, in what situations do I find it hard to be kind?

Lord, how do others hear my words and my tone? Do they hear peace and kindness?

Lord, am I harboring bitter envying and strife in my heart?

Lord, I want to be kind to others for your glory. Please help me to identify why I am not kind in certain situations and replace that heart condition with one that will produce kindness.

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