Kindness is a character trait we all want to be exhibited to us. Yet, it is not one that is demonstrated the way God expects us to, by all Christians. So much of the time we live in the realm of picking and choosing who we will show kindness to. We don’t think before we speak or react to determine if our actions are kind. Negativity, selfishness, and pride characterize most of our actions without any forethought. As we take another look at the characteristics the older women are to teach the younger women we see that the word “good” is used. In the original language, the Greek word for good in this passage would be better translated as “kind.”
Titus 2:5 “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good (kind), obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Kindness is a very attractive trait. It shows the world that we are thinking of someone besides ourselves. It is a trait that Jesus showed at all times. He was the greatest servant that ever walked the earth. He is to be our example. Philippians 2:3b teaches us an aspect of kindness. We are becoming a servant to others and esteeming them above our own desires. This means our trust is in God to work on our behalf, not in us taking matters into our own hands.
Philippians 2:3b “but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”
Kindness is not just in what we do, it also includes our motives and our attitudes. If we are kind to someone with the idea that we will gain something from it, then it is not true kindness. This idea is using the circumstances to manipulate the outcome. We are doing it for personal gain. It might be that we are expecting a person to reciprocate with things or accolades on our behalf, or we may think God is going to do something for us if we are doing it for others. Both situations are wrong. Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, that if we are doing our deeds to be seen by men we will have no reward from the Father.
Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
Being kind to others should come from the Holy Spirit working through us. What dwells on the inside will come to the outside. If we are grateful for the kindness God has shown to us, we ought to be showing kindness to others. It will not be something we work up or feel we have to do out of duty. It will come from a heart full of love and gratitude.
Our kindness should start at home. Notice that Paul includes this attribute in the same context as working at home. If it is kindness extended from the love of our Savior, it cannot be turned on and off. It will simply be who we are.
God commands us to be kind to others in Ephesians 4:32. In the previous verses Paul warns of the things that ought not to be part of the Christian life. In verse 29 there should be no corrupt speech, but we should edify one another. In verse 31 we are not to be bitter, angry, or be loud, and abusive with our speech. The kind person is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and when they are unkind it will bother them. The Holy Spirit will bring it to our memory, and it will be painful to us that we have sinned.
Ephesians 4:29-32 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
When we are kind to others even in the face of adversity, we are showing the world the power of Christ that is within us. We are exhibiting the character trait of self-control that we have already studied in this passage. Most of all we are being a testimony to all around us that we are what we say we are, Christ-like.