“K” is for Kindness
noun 1. A good sense, zeal towards anyone. 2. the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. 3. Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness
I’m a woman – so lets go straight to Proverbs 31, (slight sarcasm here…) and we find the word kindness in verse 26 – When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
This is the only verse in Proverbs 31 about the “Godly woman” talks about her speech. I do really want to be this woman – especially in my speech.
Thankfully Salvation though, is about HIS kindness not mine! Romans 2:4 says: Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
It’s because of GOD’S KINDNESS that I am able to have any slight bit of kindness myself. I am so thankful for HIS KINDNESS and for His faithfulness to go to the cross and to die for me and all my unkindness – past, current and future. That was the ultimate act of kindness – to lay down His life for mine.
Being Kind
My hearts desire is to be more kind as I’m being sanctified. The areas where kindness is needed is with inward, outward and upward. This is just my whirlwind life thought on this… follow me here:
Inward – It is satan who is condemning when it is God pouring out grace – when we hear the voice saying things of negative self talk – that is the enemy! We fall short, but our reaction should be to fall on our knees in repentance… not to run from God. We need to be more kind to ourselves and not let Satan have any room to condemn.
Outward – This is the obvious one, typically our Kindness would be towards others. We are told to love others as we love ourselves. We need to not make excuses and justify any areas where we excuse unkindness. No one is more of a sinner than you or me. We are not less of a sinner than any single person out there… We must act kindly, we are reflecting Jesus to this world – especially to those who don’t know Him. And to others in the body, we should be using our gifts to encourage one another (Romans 1:12) not discouraging one another with unkindness.
Upward – We are called to Love God and Hate Sin. We need to exercise kindness towards God in this life by pursuing wholeheartedly a godly life now. The greatest kindness we can show our savior is to live this life the way He has called us to – to be set apart, filled with the spirit and to spread the gospel. (…Amongst so many other things we are shown to do in scripture!)
My Heart
Lord I want to be more kind. Forgive me for when I just mess this up! Convict me that I can continue to be sanctified in this area. Help me to not give any room for the condemning voice of satan, and help me to love others the way you command me to. Help me to live a life of kindness so that it is pleasing to you above all else. I do pray that my speech would especially be kind. Fill me with your spirit and thank you for the work you are doing in my life to sanctify me and make me more like you. In Jesus’ name – amen.