Lesson 16 - The Holy Spirit's Gift- Fruit of Kindness

Lesson 16 ¨C The Holy Spirit¡¯s Gift ¨C To Bear the Fruit of Kindness

Why is the fruit of kindness more than just kind words?

What are some ways in which the Lord has shown his kindness to us?

How does His Kindness to us help us to become more kind?

How do we allow the Holy Spirit to put to death our flesh so that we can clothe

ourselves with kindness?

What are three qualities of Kindness?

What are three actions of kindness?

The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness

Kindness is the disposition we should have toward others. It is more than a feeling: it is a quality that

causes us to ¡°act¡± toward others in a kindly manner. Kindness and goodness are similar in nature,

yet not identical. Goodness also involves a disposition of kindness toward others, but it includes an

additional aspect of honesty or firmness in our relating with others that is meant to lead that person

towards reform or change.

The Greek Translation

Kindness and goodness are closely connected words. For kindness the word is chrestotes. It, too, is

commonly translated goodness¡­. The whole idea of the word is a goodness which is kind. The

word Paul uses for goodness (agathosune) is a peculiarly Bible word and does not occur in secular

Greek¡­ It is the widest word for goodness; it is defined as ¡°virtue equipped at every point¡± What is

the difference? Agathosune might, and could rebuke and discipline; chrestotes can only help¡­. The

Christian needs that goodness which at one and the same time can be kind and strong.

¡ªWilliam Barclay - The Daily Bible Study Series

Kindness. . . More than Words

Kindness is more than kind words¡ªit flows to others through our actions. The Letter of James raises this

question: "If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace,

keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?" (2:1516). Hearing someone express pity toward another person who is in desperate straits, we might mistakenly

conclude that he or she is being kind. But spiritual kindness must also compel us to act! Kindness, as a

fruit of the Holy Spirit, should stimulate us to loving action toward others. A kind person recognizes

that someone¡ªa neighbor, friend, family member, or perhaps even a stranger¡ªhas a physical, mental,

social, or spiritual need, and then helps to meet that need in some way.

1. (a) Kindness that results in action is described by Jesus in his parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke

10:30-37). What is the primary difference between the Samaritan and the others who saw the injured man?

(b) What do you think causes seemingly good people not to act out of kindness?

Reflecting on God's Kindness toward Us

2. (a) We can perhaps best understand kindness by looking at the source of all aspects of godliness, the

Lord himself. In Romans 2:1-5, why is judgment contrasted with kindness, and how does it help to define

what kindness is?

(b) What is God's kindness meant to achieve, according to St. Paul?

(c) When you show kindness toward another, perhaps even someone who normally would warrant

judgment, what effect can you expect your act of kindness to have?

"Putting on" the Clothing of Kindness

3. (a) Read Colossians 3:1-12. What do you think St. Paul meant when he urged the members of the early

church to "strip off the old self with its practices" (verse 9)? Share some practical ways of doing this.

(b) What do you think would happen if you simply tried putting on the clothes of kindness while the old

self remained alive?

Luke 10: 30-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ¡°And who is my neighbor?¡±

30 Jesus replied, ¡°A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They

stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the

opposite side.

32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite

side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.

34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he

lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,

¡®Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way

back.¡¯ 36Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers¡¯ victim?¡±

37 He answered, ¡°The one who treated him with mercy.¡± Jesus said to him, ¡°Go and do likewise.¡±

Romans 2:1-5 God¡¯s Just Judgment

1 Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.* For by the standard

by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.

2 We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true.

3 Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself,

that you will escape the judgment of God?

4 Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that

the kindness of God would lead you to repentance?

5 By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of

wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God

Colossians 3:1-12

Mystical Death and Resurrection

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand

of God.

2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Renunciation of Vice.

5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,

and the greed that is idolatry.

6 Because of these the wrath of God* is coming [upon the disobedient].

7 By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of

your mouths.

9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its

creator.

11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave,

free; but Christ is all and in all.

12 Put on then, as God¡¯s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience.

KINDNESS - FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Latin translation is BENIGNITAS. Greek translation is CHRESTOTES (khray-stot-ace), which meant

to show kindness or to be friendly to others and often depicted rulers, governors, or people who were

kind, mild, and benevolent to their subjects. Anyone who demonstrated this quality of chrestotes was

considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle.

When our free will allows, the Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under

His control.

Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return- no conditions. Kindness is respect

and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter whatwhether we are being loved on or being persecuted.

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REFERENCES

The apostle Paul uses Romans 11:22 to depict God's incomprehensible kindness for people who are

unsaved: "Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is

enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number."

Titus 3:1-7- 1 2 "Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient,

to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate,

exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient,

deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and

hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not

because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the

bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ

our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life."

2 Corinthians 6:6-7 suggests that we should live "by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy

spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at

the right and at the left."

KINDNESS

The quality of understanding sympathy and concern for those in trouble or need. It is shown in

affability of speech, generosity of conduct, and forgiveness of injuries sustained.

"Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness,..." (Psalm 141:5)

It would appear that the Scripture passage above would seem rather harsh! But it's not; it could

save your life! Allow me to explain.

It seems as if all of the Fruits of the Spirit have simple meanings that pretty much anyone with any

common sense would know. Perhaps that's the problem. Each Fruit goes further and digs deep into

the human condition. And rightfully so, for God established each Fruit Himself in order for us to

recognize our own evil actions and to understand what we are really capable of. They are the

manifestation of God working within us.

So what is kindness besides the simple definition of being nice to someone? ("Nice" by the way, is

not so "nice" after all! It has it's root in a Middle English word meaning foolish or stupid. This, taken

from the Latin nescius, meaning ignorant or incapable. Therefore, think twice before referring to

someone as being nice!) Kindness has its root in humility. One can only behave in a sincere kind

manner only once they are disposed of themselves. But what is actual kindness, then?

Kindness seeks after that which is best for the end in which it's aimed. HUH? God always has our

best interests in mind. His main concern for all of us is to see to it that we spend eternity with Him in

heaven. Salvation is on the forefront of His activity because we weren't made for this world. We are

simply sojourners in this world. With this in mind the greatest thing we can do for our fellow man is to

lead them to salvation in Jesus Christ as well. How do we do this? We do this by the example of the

lives we lead. Kindness, of which, needs to be at the forefront.

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