DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 23, 2021

The next fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is kindness. Do you prefer being around kind people or grouches? The answer is easy. Naturally, we want to be around kind people. Kindness is a temperament that puts others at ease. Kindness reaches out to others with a spirit of friendship and goodwill. Grouchy, irritable people make us feel nervous and ill at ease. Again, kindness is a virtue present in God. Paul writes, “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us…” (Titus 3:4-5). God showed amazing kindness to us in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:6-7).

Those who live close to God will reflect kindness to others (See Ephesians 4:32). Do you see yourself as a kind person? How do others view you? What do you do when you lash out at another person in anger? I hope the word “repent” comes to mind. We not only offend others when we are unkind, but we also offend our God, who has been super kind to us. Those who live by faith in the Son of God will find that kindness comes “naturally,” or better, “supernaturally.”

Father, I can recall too many times when I have not been kind to others. Unfortunately, some people rub me the wrong way. By the power of Your Spirit, help me to react to others with kindness. You have been abundantly kind to me, and I want to be kind to others. I ask this favor in the holy name of Jesus, Amen.