Bible Verses About Kindness

What does the Bible say about kindness?

Are you nice or are you kind? People are considered nice when they are polite, but kindness is way more deeper than niceness. Kindness goes out of its way. A nice person can ask are you hungry? A kind person will bring out food for you without you even having to ask.

You never hear someone say the act of niceness, but you always hear people say the act of kindness. As believers many times we are nice, but not kind.

You can be nice and not care. You can be nice to someone and still not like them. It happens all the time in this world.

Most preachers today are nice. They say the right words, but they don’t really care. Their heart is not in it. They preach the sermon and go home and say, “I did my job.”

Kind preachers preach with fire, they pray an hour or more a day, they weep, and they make sure lives are being changed. Are you truly kind to others? Are you growing in the fruit of kindness?

Christian quotes about kindness

“You don’t need a reason to help people.”

“One kind word can change someone’s entire day.”

“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.”

“If you want more kindness in the world put it there.”

“No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.” Charles Spurgeon

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”

“Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting…Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well.”

“Every act of kindness and compassion done by any man for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working within him.”

Attributes of the Spirit-filled Life: Kindness 

When you’re filled with the Spirit you change. We have to get back to the prayer closet and cry out that God changes us. We are told to imitate Christ. When you are kind towards others you are being a reflection of the great kindness of our Father. You are letting go of selfishness and being an example of selflessness. You are bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit of God living in you.

When our heart is aligned towards God things like kindness and goodness come out, but when our heart is aimed towards the flesh we do things of the flesh. Many of you are struggling with meanness, but how long do you tarry in prayer before the living God? How much do you read the Word? Do you seek to get closer to His heart? Are you worried about TV, social media, etc. These things affect you.

We need God back in our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit, but we can’t be filled with the Spirit if we are filled with the world! This is serious! Have you drifted from God? When someone does not hide away with God you will see the results of that in their life.

They will be mean, grumpy, they never witness, they are extremely impatient, unforgiving, they are selfish, etc. We need to remove the things of the flesh to pour out the things of the Spirit. Get alone with God and stay there.

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

2. Ephesians 4:31-32 All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

3. Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

The Spirit is willing.

The Spirit wants to do the things of God, but the flesh fights with it. The flesh says, “I have to go” or “I don’t have time.” The flesh wants to stop us from showing kindness. It starts to fear, it starts to make excuses, it gets lazy. When the flesh fights against the Spirit you get convicted.

You want to do it, but you’re hesitant. This is especially true when you have to be kind or forgive an enemy. The Spirit wants to, but pride, fear, and awkwardness might try to hold you back from going to that person and offering your help or seeking reconciliation.

The Spirit tells you to go make peace so you think about it for a while, then the flesh says, “he will be alright.” We have to trust in God and cry out for greater manifestations of the Spirit’s power in our lives.

4. Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

5. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Everyone is kind to their friends, family members, etc.

Jesus tells us to take kindness to a different level. We are to be kind to our enemies. It is so easy to be kind to someone who likes you, but how about to people who hate you? How about to people who slander you and make fun of you behind your back?

Jesus was kind to people who hated Him. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” To ask for forgiveness for others while they are crucifying you shows real love and kindness. When you show undeserved kindness to others you are imitating your Savior. Loving our enemies sets Christians apart from the ways of the world.

6. Matthew 5:40-42 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

7. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

We learn two things from David on kindness.

Kindness doesn’t have to wait for someone to ask. Kindness moves on its own. Also, we get a picture from David how kindness results in action. It’s so easy to say what you want to do, but never do it. Kindness leads you to do something from the heart.

8. 2 Samuel 9:7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

9. 2 Samuel 10:2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father. But when David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites.

Many people are nice, but these verses show how you could be nice, but not kind.

Some people can offer you things, but in their heart they hope that you say no. You can say nice things but still be stingy. When you are kind your heart is aligned with your words. This is why kindness leads to action. Kindness results in doing things with a cheerful heart and not a grudging heart.

10. Proverbs 23:6-7 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

11. Proverbs 26:25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.

12. Deuteronomy 15:8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

13. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

People remember and cherish acts of kindness. 

Many of you don’t know how a moment of kindness can change someone’s life. People cherish kindness and when you go the extra mile. Kindness gives people hope. Many people are nice, but they don’t get dirty. When your actions show evidence of a heart that truly cares people take notice.

One time I went to the store and I noticed a couple of homeless men and I offered to buy them food. They were extremely thankful. We checked out and I went outside and I sat down with one of them. Immediately he was shocked that I would sit on the ground with him. We talked about Jesus and the gospel and I noticed he was getting very emotional and teary-eyed.

Finally, before I left we prayed and as soon as we were done praying he kissed my hand in thankfulness. He cherished that simple act of kindness. Usually people give a dollar just to say they gave and go on their way. We need to be willing to go the extra mile. Do we truly care? Does the pain of others really matter to us? When you show acts of kindness to the needy you are doing the same thing for Christ.

14. Acts 28:2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

15. Ruth 3:10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

The positive effect of kindness

Kind acts effect us positively, just as they do others. They give us joy, we become more thankful about the little things, we become more selfless, we pour out love, it slowly changes us, we get to serve our King, etc.

16. Proverbs 11:16-17 kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Never doubt the power of your kind words. 

God’s kind words have a major impact on our lives. They comfort us, encourage us, inspire us, guide us, etc. Kind words spoken at the right time affect people. They give people hope. They motivate people. Is your speech characterized by kindness? Don’t overlook kind words.

17. Proverbs 16:23-24 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

18. Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19. Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me–that is a kindness; let him rebuke me–that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

The cross was a huge ultimate act of kindness on the part of God.

Notice that Isaiah says that it pleased God the Father to crush His Son. He didn’t do it with a grudging heart. He didn’t say, “I wish I didn’t have to do this.” God’s heart was aligned with the act and it pleased Him. When you show kindness from the heart you are becoming like the God you worship.

When you go the extra mile for someone who has never said a word to you before you become like God! You are being transformed and that is the evidence of God working in you. Jesus died the death that we deserve to reconcile us to God. He bore our sins and His righteousness was transferred over to us. We deserve Hell! What a great merciful act of kindness.

20. Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

21. Ephesians 2:7-8 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

22. Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

23. Isaiah 53:10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

Christians are to be known by our love and kindness.

Love never gives up and if love never gives then our kindness will never cease. Continue to be kind even when it is hard to be kind. If you struggle with this be still before the Lord and cry out for more kindness in your life. Get closer to Him and He will help you. Make war with these things that seek to hinder your kindness.

24. Galatians 6:9 So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

25. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.