"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23
Sometimes it's hard to put words to an idea, even though you might have a rather intimate mental concept of what it means. This is when a dictionary comes in handy (or a Google search for define:kindness)...
Kindness (n) - 1. The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. 2. A kind act. (Google Dictionary)
I think that this definition easily falls in line with the ideals that God taught in His Ten Commandments, as well as the ideals that His Son taught throughout His entire ministry. Be of good cheer, give when others are in need, and consider others' needs before your own.
This is one of the Spiritual fruits that I have struggled with in recent months (and even years), even though my personality is quite a friendly, generous, and considerate one. However, in the last few weeks I've been much more "myself" lately, as my wife puts it. While I agree that I'm more kind than I used to be, I think of this kindness as being less like myself, and more like Jesus.
Prayer of the Day:
Thank You for making me a generally kind person. Thank You for filling my spirit with Your Spirit of kindness. Thank You for the kindness You have bestowed on those around me, and for the many ways You use them to bless my life. Help all of us to be more friendly and cheerful no matter how badly situations we're in make us want to be crotchety. Help all of us to be more generous and giving no matter how financially strained we may become. Help all of us to be more considerate of others' needs no matter what our own needs are. Amen.
Kindness (n) - 1. The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. 2. A kind act. (Google Dictionary)
I think that this definition easily falls in line with the ideals that God taught in His Ten Commandments, as well as the ideals that His Son taught throughout His entire ministry. Be of good cheer, give when others are in need, and consider others' needs before your own.
This is one of the Spiritual fruits that I have struggled with in recent months (and even years), even though my personality is quite a friendly, generous, and considerate one. However, in the last few weeks I've been much more "myself" lately, as my wife puts it. While I agree that I'm more kind than I used to be, I think of this kindness as being less like myself, and more like Jesus.
Prayer of the Day:
Thank You for making me a generally kind person. Thank You for filling my spirit with Your Spirit of kindness. Thank You for the kindness You have bestowed on those around me, and for the many ways You use them to bless my life. Help all of us to be more friendly and cheerful no matter how badly situations we're in make us want to be crotchety. Help all of us to be more generous and giving no matter how financially strained we may become. Help all of us to be more considerate of others' needs no matter what our own needs are. Amen.
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