Kindness Or Being A Kinder And Gentler Christian

2. The second thing is be a booster or encourage others. We develop this as we say words to others that make them feel better about themselves. We need to speak kind words. PR 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” You can destroy the spirit of another person by the words you use. Did you know the Bible says that death and life are in the tongue? 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death.’ You change people by what you say. I think we all know that even the tone of the voice can make a difference in how a person will respond to us. PR 10:32 “The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.” Your words can tear some one down or build them up. It is your choice as to what you say and how you say it. Let me suggest that before you speak stop and think about what you are going to say and how would you react if you were spoken to in that way. You have the power to encourage or discourage that person you are going to speak with. I would challenge you to take a box and put $5 worth of quarters in it and during the week when ever you say something that is unkind take a quarter out of the box. How much would you have left? If you decided to give it to the church next Sunday would you be able to give very much? Next week you could put up $10 and if you keep increasing each week you could bring a big offering to church if no unkind words were said. A good example of being kind is Joseph in the O. T. His brothers tired to kill him, sold him as a slave and forgot all about him. Many years later he was acting as a ruler in Egypt and the brothers had to go see him to get food. He could have done many things to them but he said, “God has sent me ahead of you so that our family would be saved.” How different our world would be if everyone thought as Joseph that “I have been sent ahead to make things better for you.”

3. A third way of kindness is to show compassion and being concerned. This speaks of being there for a person when going through rough times. You are there with a shoulder to lean upon or a hand to hold. The Bible says the dad is supposed to be the spiritual leader of the house. So men how would you rate today if we were to speak to your wife or children? Have you offered to clean the house, do the dishes, make the bed or cook a meal? Have you taken time to read a book to the children or play a game with them? Are you the one that leads family devotions? Do others look to you when they want someone to pray with them or have spiritual question? Do you get excited when good things happen to your wife or children? Now if you are not a husband or dad here is what the Bible says we should do in showing compassion. RM 12:9-18 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be arrogant. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Jesus wept with sisters who had lost their brother. Jesus came upon a funeral and stopped it by bringing the dead boy back to life. To be like Christ you must be kind and show you care.