Known By Their Fruit: Kindness

Matthew 7:16-20: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them".

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In the world’s terms, niceness is often about maintaining politeness or avoiding conflict. Niceness tends to focus on outward behavior, trying to fit into social expectations or appear pleasant. It may involve doing good deeds or saying kind words, but it’s often motivated by a desire to be liked, keep peace, or avoid discomfort. Niceness can sometimes be more about self-protection—avoiding confrontation or making others feel comfortable without actually addressing the deeper issues that might need to be addressed.

Biblical kindness, however, is much deeper. It’s not about surface-level behaviors or avoiding uncomfortable situations. Kindness, as defined by chrestotes, is a fruit of the Spirit that is based on God's character. It is not just about doing good for others, but about genuinely loving them as God does. It’s not about avoiding truth or hard conversations, but about showing grace and mercy even in difficult situations. Kindness seeks the well-being of others, even when it’s uncomfortable or sacrificial. It involves acting out of a heart of love, desiring to see others flourish and experience God’s goodness.

Jesus, the perfect example of kindness, showed us what chrestotes truly looks like. Think of the time when He forgave a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Instead of condemning her, Jesus showed kindness by offering her grace and mercy, telling her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” This wasn’t a “nice” response—it was a kind response that addressed her need for forgiveness and transformation. His kindness didn’t condone her actions, but it offered her a chance for renewal.

The key difference between kindness and niceness is that niceness is often about keeping peace, while kindness is about making peace—sometimes through hard truths or sacrificial actions. Niceness might avoid the truth to avoid tension, but kindness speaks the truth in love, even when it’s difficult. Kindness doesn’t just keep things comfortable; it works for the best interests of others, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit, showing us that it is not something we can just try to fake or force on our own. It is a work of God within us. The more we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the more His kindness will flow through us. When we are rooted in Christ, we can’t help but be kind—because we reflect His kindness, which is the chrestotes kind of goodness and grace.

In practical terms, living out this biblical kindness means actively looking for ways to serve others, even when it’s inconvenient. It means going beyond politeness and showing genuine care, generosity, and love. It’s about seeing others through God’s eyes, especially those who might not be easy to love, and reaching out with the kind of mercy and goodness that reflects Christ’s love for us. Kindness is relational—it builds connections, creates opportunities for healing, and reflects the goodness of God in the world.

True kindness, as defined by chrestotes, also doesn’t just express itself in grand gestures. It’s in the small, everyday moments—helping a neighbor, encouraging a friend, offering a word of grace in a tough conversation. Kindness is not based on the recipient’s behavior or worth, but on God’s call to love. Even when it’s hard or when others don’t deserve it, kindness shows up because it’s rooted in the love of God.

It’s important to recognize that kindness doesn’t mean being a doormat or tolerating injustice. In fact, true kindness may sometimes involve saying hard things or setting boundaries, but it always does so with a heart that desires the best for others. Kindness speaks the truth with love, and it brings healing where it’s needed most.

So, as we reflect on the fruit of kindness in our own lives, let’s remember that kindness is not just about being nice—it’s about being filled with the goodness of God’s Spirit. It’s a kindness that’s rooted in grace and mercy, reflecting the love of Christ to a world in need. May we grow in chrestotes—a kindness that seeks to lift others up, even when it’s hard, because it reflects the deep love and goodness of the Savior who showed us kindness when we didn’t deserve it.