Kindness is another one of the beautiful virtues we are encouraged to put on, to clothe ourselves with, in our daily lives, in Colossians 3:12-14. The dictionary defines kindness as “the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate”. Biblical kindness is doing all of this even when it is difficult and, most importantly, doing it grounded in love. It is not always easy to be kind and may sometimes be personally inconvenient but it is a wonderful way to glorify God and reflect His character.
The foundation of kindness in the Bible is rooted in the words of the Lord Jesus, who proclaimed, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). We have the opportunity to lead by example, treating others with the love, respect and kindness that we desire for ourselves. Kind people go out of their way to make life better for others and always put the other person first, ensuring they feel important and included. Think how you would feel if someone treated you or spoke to you in a certain way. We should be willing to set aside our own preferences in order to serve others and love them as Christ loves them. When we show this type of kindness, we demonstrate love in action and point them to Jesus.
The Lord Jesus highlights what He calls the second greatest commandment: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31). As women, we are often called to nurture and care for those around us. By extending kindness to our neighbours, we can create a ripple effect of positivity, transforming lives and communities. This often involves sacrifice on our part as it usually means giving something up. However, we need to remember that everything we have has been given to us by God, and ultimately we have a responsibility to use what God has blessed us with to bless others. We should choose to be generous with our resources and money, but one of the most valuable things we can give is our time. We can find joy in serving others, whether it is through acts of hospitality, helping a new mother, babysitting, providing a meal, buying groceries, arranging transport or visiting someone who is sick or lonely. Very often, though, it’s the small things that make a difference and all someone needs is a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a compliment or even just a hug. Through selfless acts of service, we reflect the love of Christ and bring kindness into tangible actions.
Proverbs 16:24 reminds us, "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." As a teacher, I have observed that girls can be particularly unkind with their words. Whether due to peer pressure, insecurities, or societal expectations, girls may engage in gossip, exclusion, or hurtful remarks. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to rise above this negative pattern and choose a different path – a path of kindness. Our words possess incredible power to uplift, encourage and comfort others. By intentionally choosing our words wisely, we can actively choose to break the cycle of unkindness. We can use our influence to promote kindness among our peers, demonstrating that true strength and beauty come from treating others with love, kindness, and respect. Instead of tearing each other down, let us encourage, support and celebrate the accomplishments and uniqueness of our fellow women.
Ephesians 4:32 urges us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." This is probably one of the most challenging aspects of kindness as it is asking us to make a conscious effort to be kind to people who are difficult to love. We should remind ourselves of the kindness shown to us in God sending his only Son so that we, who were his enemies (see Romans 5:10), might be forgiven. In light of that, we need to show the love of God to those who mistreat us, and do good towards our enemies. “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21,22). It is extremely difficult to stay angry with someone who is constantly being nice. Through your kindness, barriers can be broken down, forgiveness extended and reconciliation made, providing opportunity to point people to Christ.
In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes kindness. As women who desire to walk in the Spirit, we must purposefully cultivate and develop this quality in our lives. In a world often plagued by negativity and division, choosing kindness becomes a transformative act that can bring hope, healing, and unity. Let us be a generation of women who inspire a change of attitude, leaving a lasting legacy of kindness for future generations to follow. In the same way that you decide what physical clothes to wear in the morning, make a conscious effort to put on kindness. Ask God to give you specific opportunities throughout the day where you can show kindness, and not only will you be a blessing to others but you will be blessed yourself. Remember, your words have the power to shape lives – choose kindness, always.
