Fruits of the Spirit Series: Kindness

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of:  Adam Nemeroff

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness...." ~Galatians 5:22a

In our series on the fruits of the Spirit, we come this week to the fruit of kindness. This is another area, just as we saw last week when talking about patience, where Paul overlaps some of his teachings and includes a fruit of the Spirit in his description of what love is in 1 Corinthians 13 - "Love is patient and kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4a).

We hear a lot about things like niceness and kindness in our day and age, and our culture is quick to define these characteristics in a way that doesn't enable us to both 1) disagree with someone else or to disapprove of their life choices and 2) still be described as being nice or kind. We are told that disagreement or disapproval = hatred. But this simply is not the case.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are professing Christians out there who will say that the nicest or kindest thing you can do is point out someone's sin, and will do so as a way to excuse their nasty behavior when pointing out someone's sin. They will refer to the topic of "speaking the truth in love", but forget to add in the love part while speaking the truth. This is wrong, as well.

The Greek word translated "kind" in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is "chrēsteuomai", the definition of which is "to show one's self mild, to be kind, use kindness". The Greek word translated as "kindness" in Galatians 5:22 is "chrēstotēs", the definition of which is "moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness", and elsewhere in Scripture is translated "gentleness" 

So, what do we take from this? We see that Biblical kindness as we are called to is gentle, mild, benign, and good. This is all important for a number of reasons, not the lest of which being that it corrects both wrongs and extremes I mentioned above.

On the one hand, kindness is moral goodness. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is both kind and also does not rejoice in wrongdoing. So, it is not kind to support someone's ongoing, unrepentant sin. That sin is not in their best interests, so the kind thing to do for that person is to gently and humbly address it with them and help them to find the answer to their struggle and their eternal need for Christ. 

But also note that kindness is also mild mannered, benign, and gentle. Kindness does not look like beating someone over the head for their sin. Far from it! It looks like being long-suffering with people, humbly acknowledging our own sin struggles, and gently interacting with them.

Kindness is also not the same thing as niceness, either, for to remain "nice" can sometimes mean sweeping things under the rug, not having the hard conversation or needed confrontation, or refusing to speak honestly for fear of not being viewed as "nice". Niceness can look like being a peacekeeper, but kindness looks like being a peacemaker - and there is a world of difference between the two! "Niceness" can look like the deceptive "approval" of an enemy as talked about in Proverbs, while kindness is open, honest, and true.

In a world wherein the true definition and meaning of words can get twisted so very quickly, it is important for us to know God's definition of them. And this is certainly true in the area of the fruit of the Spirit known as kindness!

Reflection Questions:

1) What stood out to you about today's study?

2) Do you tend to operate from the Bible's definition of kindness or from the world's definition?

3) What needs to change in your kindness (or lack thereof!) towards others? How can you lean on Christ and the Spirit to help you with that?

Those Sleepless Nights

 By: Joanne Viola

 

Watching impressionable programs, or the late evening news, is never a wise choice for me. Either of those can work on my mind causing difficulty falling asleep, a restless night’s sleep, or nightmares.

Opening my Bible one morning, I read the heading on a psalm – “A morning psalm.”

David wrote this particular psalm as he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was after his life.

And therein, was the remedy for those sleepless nights:

• Perspective. We need to shift our perspective. It is exactly what David does. He moves his thoughts from his circumstances to the One able to help Him.

“Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people!” 
(Psalm 3:8, NASB)

• Protection. We must remember the One who is our protection.

“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” 
(Psalm 3:3, NASB)

• Peace. With a perspective change, and remembering who is the One protecting us, His peace comes, and so does sleep.

“I lay down and slept, I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” 
(Psalm 3:5, NASB)

There is a reason this psalm has the heading – “A morning psalm”.

As we come to the Lord in prayer each morning,
we are able to gain renewed peace
as we align our perspective with God’s truth.

 

Reflection: 

How do you change your perspective when your circumstances are challenging?

 

Image by Tyli Jura from Pixabay

 

Don't Give Up, Use Your Lifeline

By: Jenifer Metzger

I have a game on my phone that I love to play. It's one of these games where you match certain items to level up. You get five lives to play. If you win the level, you move up. If you lose the level, you lose a life; after losing five lives, you have to wait to get more lives. One time I was playing on my last life, I only had a couple moves left and I was about to lose. I have been stuck on this level for a week and was tired of playing it. Knowing I couldn't beat the level, I was about to just give up. Then I noticed I had a lifeline. I could 'clear a row' which would get me much closer to winning. I decided to use my lifeline. I won-finally.

We live life the same way.

We begin to struggle with a situation and we don't see a way out. We are so close to just giving up. Why live for God when everything keeps going bad? Why keep trying to save the marriage when nothing helps? Why keep trying to discipline the kids when they keep disrespecting? Why keep trying at anything when nothing ever goes right?

We often forget that we have a lifeline.

What's our lifeline? God. Instead of fighting on our own, we need to turn to God. He is right there, sitting and waiting for us to call out to Him. He wants to help. When I don't use a lifeline on my game, it is wasted. It's like a gift given to me that I set aside and never open. Friends, God is your gift given to you. Yet we set Him aside and never open the gift.

Come to Me, all of you who are weary

and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

because I am lowly and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. For

My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 CSB

God gives us even another lifeline gift. This lifeline comes in the form of friends, accountability partners, mentors, and fellow Christians. It is easy to hold our problems in, think we have to deal with it on our own. Yet when we share our burdens with others, they can lift us in prayer and give encouragement. Years ago I had a dear friend who was going through a dark time, yet never shared with anyone. Then one day, what seemed to me, out of the blue, she left her husband. Come to find out, there had been horrible issues going on for many years. Had they shared their burden, their Christian family could have been praying for them and helping them.

Carry one another’s burdens; in this

way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 CSB

What are you facing today? Do you feel like you are losing? Do you feel ready to just give up? Use your lifelines! Turn to God. Give Him your burdens and ask for His help. Then, go to your mentor or accountability partner. Share your burden and ask for prayer on your behalf. Don't let your lifelines sit there unused.

Discussion:
1. Think of a situation you have faced. Did you use your lifeline, God? Did you turn to Him or try to face it on  your own?
2. When you face situations in life, do you make it a practice to reach out to a trusted friend or mentor? If not, what keeps you from seeking counsel? If so, how has it helped you?

Fruits of the Spirit Series: Patience

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo courtesy of: Osama Saeed

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...." 

~Galatians 5:22

As we return again this week to our ongoing series on the fruits of the Spirit, the timing of  patience being our fruit to study today is not lost on me. I see the Lord in it because I don't know about you, but I could certainly use some patience right about now! 

Some of you may know that I have an 8 month old baby at the time of this writing, but what you may not know is just what a struggle sleep has been for her the past several months. Not only that, but just when I think we have made a breakthrough in being able to get her to sleep for several hours in a row at night, she randomly has a night like she did just last night where she is up every hour and unpredictable as to how easy or quick it'll be to get her back to sleep.

And while, when I was pregnant, I naively assumed, because she was our miracle baby who had come at the end of a years-long struggle of secondary infertility, that I would never get impatient or frustrated with her, that simply is not the case. I wish I could say it was. But with my sin nature being what it is, I suppose I should have known better. I'm a sinner just like everyone else, and when dealing with sleep deprivation at 3am with no end in sight, patience can often be the last thing I have - if I'm operating in my own strength, that is.

Because that is the reality we have seen over and over throughout the first weeks of this series, right? We have revisited this important topic week after week, that what we are studying right now are the fruits of the Spirit, meaning that He is the One Who cultivates them in us, and we only have them as we walk by His Spirit. 

So, on my own, in my flesh, at 3am when my 8 month old is up yet again? Instant impatience can  easily kick in. 

But when I am operating in the Spirit? He enables me to have patience that is humanly impossible. Praise God for that! 

One thing that I find interesting is that many translations of Galatians 5:22 do not actually use the word "patience". They instead use the word "long-suffering". My sleep-deprived self finds that both fascinating as well as rather convicting, if I'm being honest! Because I feel like I am suffering when I am operating on 3 or 4 hours of sleep. But that is exactly what I am called to - to be long-suffering.

Paul uses the verb version of the same Greek word again in 1 Corinthians 13:4, when describing what love is - "Love is patient" or "love suffers long", depending on your translation.

This Greek word is "makrothymeō", the definition of which is as follows:

1. to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart

   1. to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles

   2. to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others

      1. to be mild and slow in avenging

      2. 
         

   3. to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish

      
      

      
      

      
      

      This is all rather convicting to me, coming on the heels of how I behaved last night when being repeatedly awakened. I did not persevere patiently, was not slow to anger and frustration, and did not patiently bear the repeated awakenings. But this reminder about this fruit of the Spirit is important for me to hear myself, for this long-suffering patience is what I am called to as a Christ-follower. It is not humanly possible, but with Christ, all things are possible. I can't conjure it up on my own, but as I commit to walking by the Spirit and leading and relying on Him, I will begin to see this fruit of patience come through in my daily living more and more - and more than I never thought possible! 

      
      

      
      

      And the same encouraging truth will be reality for you, as well, dear sister! Lean on Him, and He will help you through. 

      
      

      
      

      
      

      
      

      
      

      
      

Reflection Questions:

1) In what area of your life are you sorely in need of patience?

2) What stands out to you about today's devotional?

3) How can it encourage your heart to know that your becoming a more patient person is not reliant upon you yourself? Will you make it your aim to walk by the Spirit and seek His help in this area?

They're Worth More

 By: Joanne Viola

 

The photos are already appearing as kids of varied ages resume their school routines. Children may be starting daycare, grammar school, middle school, high school, or college.

The age or year of school makes no difference as mothers begin to worry about the school year ahead, and the transition it would bring.

Dropping a child off to their first year of college is equally as daunting as when you dropped them off to their first day of day care or kindergarten.

The unknowns can be terrifying. It brings to mind this often shared thought:

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
(Corrie ten Boom)

“Worry” as defined by dictionary.com –> “to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts” (emphasis mine).

We do it to ourselves. And most of what we worry about never comes to be, or turns out the way we expected.

So maybe what we need to do is turn to our known God. Better yet, return to what we know about God.

We need to remember Him. Remember His faithfulness, His tender care, and the way He has guided and brought you thus far. Remember His love for our children is great. Remember He has a plan for their lives.

We need to remember our children are of great worth to our heavenly Father.

Jesus in talking to the crowds exhorted the people to not be worried about their life. He told them to look at the birds whom their heavenly Father feeds and cares for.

Then Jesus asks this powerful question:

“Are you not worth more than they?” 
(Matthew 6:26b, NASB)

Jesus then reminds the crowd:

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
 (verse 27, NASB)

All our worrying won’t change a thing. The only result of worrying is it successfully distracts us from the One who cares for us.

Jesus not only tells us not to worry but He then tells us why we should not worry … “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (verse 32b). Jesus knows our needs. He tells us not to worry because our heavenly Father has them covered.

As our kids return to school,
let’s remember
to trust this unknown future to Him.

 

 

Reflection: 
Does the start of another school year fill your thoughts with worry or fear? What do you need to do to stay focused on God and thus, worry less?

 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay