During WWII, Dutch Christian Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews from the Nazis, saving nearly 800 lives. In 1944, they were arrested. Corrie’s sister Betsie died in Ravensbrück, leaving behind a legacy of kindness. Years later, Corrie was approached by a man who had been one of the cruel guards. Now a believer, he asked for forgiveness. Corrie froze—until Ephesians 4:32 came to mind: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Though it was hard, she forgave him—not out of emotion, but obedience. She said, “Forgiveness is an act of the will... regardless of the temperature of the heart.” That act of kindness wasn’t natural—it was supernatural—evidence of the Spirit of God within her.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Kindness isn’t about being “nice” or having a pleasant personality. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit—a sign that God is alive in us. In a world that rewards cruelty and mocks compassion, true kindness is radical and powerful. We can’t manufacture fruit—it’s the natural result of a life rooted in Christ. When the Spirit leads, kindness flows. It’s not about rules—it’s about transformation.

[EPHESIANS 4:32 (NKJV)] “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Kindness comes from a soft heart. A hardened heart, however, leads to the kind of "bad fruit" Paul warned about:

[2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 (NKJV)] “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…unloving, unforgiving…brutal, despisers of good…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

If we see this fruit in our lives, it’s a call to repentance. God wants to produce kindness in us from the inside out.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL – SIX WAYS TO CULTIVATE KINDNESS Gratitude Softens the Heart Grateful people are kind people. Key Thought: “The more I’m grateful for God’s kindness toward me, the kinder I’ll be to others.” Purity Protects Kindness

Unrepented sin hardens the heart.

Love Fuels Kindness

Kindness is love in action.

Forgiveness Makes Space for Kindness

Bitterness blocks kindness.

Key Thought: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was me.”

Devotion to God Develops Kindness

Romans 2:4: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.”