Kindness is one of my favorite fruits of the Holy Spirit!
Kindness, for some I believe, is one of the hardest to apply. Especially in this generation where everybody wants to take revenge on those who mistreated them, caused them harm, betrayed them, cheated, and did any other evil things people could have done.
In this post, I want to focus on Romans 12:17-21. It says:
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 ESV
It’s easy to be nice but hard to be kind.
It’s easy to go the extra mile of being kind if that person has been nice to you from the very beginning. I can give so much to those people who have been kind to me like my mom, my siblings, or my friends. I can give them so much without complaining.
I can be nice to anyone and say hello, or ask them “how are you?”, but it’s far from being kind.
Paul said that if our enemy is hungry, we should feed them. If they are thirsty we should give them a drink. Take note he used the word “enemy”. It’s so easy to give food and a drink to anyone but our enemies! This is what KINDNESS is. This is what going the extra mile really means!
Being kind is like helping someone who is indifferent to you, sharing some food with someone who always takes advantage of you, or lending some money to people who are really in need but have betrayed you before.
One Step of Obedience towards Kindness
I took a step of obedience towards kindness several years ago when God spoke to me, about how I should treat those people who mistreated me.
There was this time in the office I worked previously where my colleagues were having fun and making fun of me. They were enjoying it, but I wasn’t. I really felt bad about it and I’m starting to get angry. That night I had my quiet time and in my devotion, God spoke to me about being kind to those who are not kind to you. To treat them right even if they mistreated you.
Whoah! Honestly? Can you immediately tell God, “Sir Yes Sir!” or “It’s just a piece of cake!”
God wants us not just to listen to His word but to apply it.
I told God, “Okay Lord, I’ll just forgive them in my mind, still be kind to them, and talk to them just as the usual days like nothing happened.” But God wasn’t convinced. He wants me to go the extra mile of being kind. He told me, “Why not give them something to show your kindness?”
Like what? It’s already hard to forgive what they did to me and let it pass. And now God wanted me to give something for them?
God is really amazing! The urge of the spirit is so strong that I couldn’t resist what God wanted me to do.
Guess what? The next day, I went to the office early and bought something. On their desks, I put some chocolate for each of them. I also stick a note on it. When they came, they were surprised and said thank you to me.
That felt good! Only you can see God’s miracle when you practice His principles.
A Challenge to Go the Extra Mile
My challenge for you is this:
How can you go the extra mile of being kind to someone who mistreated you or did something bad to you recently? Can you pay back him/her with kindness?
What can you do to make these people who’ve hurt you smile and say thank you to you?
Perhaps it could be a treat for some coffee or sharing your homemade goods. Whatever it is, ask God to lead you. He has wonderful ways for you to show kindness just as He has shown it to us. Overcoming evil with good!
A Little More about Sheen
Hi there! My name’s Sheen! I’m a Christian blogger from the Philippines. My blog shares God’s story on how He is teaching me to have The Heart That Is Good in every area of life. You can also find devotionals and other people’s inspiring stories in my blog. Join me as I continue to live a life with a teachable heart.
Blog: https://theheartthatisgood.com/