Is there a difference between someone who is kind, friendly or nice? Or do all these words convey the same meaning? Typically, in our culture, nice is used to refer to something momentary, a word that describes a pleasant encounter. “He was a nice guy,” a woman may say after meeting a dashing gent. She may even call him friendly after seeing him interact with herself and others, but she won’t call him kind until she gets a more intimate glimpse into his heart.
Kindness implies intention. A kind person is friendly, but they’re friendly as a way of living, at all times with all people. The Bible encourages us to be more than nice, more than friendly. Living like Jesus is living as kind people.
Here are fifteen Bible verses about kindness we can use to improve ourselves.
15 Bible Verses about Kindness
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Part of being kind to others as Christians means not holding a grudge. There are people that hurt us. Sometimes there are people we witness hurting others, like the elderly or children. Forgiving doesn’t mean consequences aren’t doled out, but rather, we get to a place of not actively seeking to punish the offender. We face consequences of our own for sin, but God is not constantly seeking our demise in response.
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant,” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Loving someone means willing what’s best for them. Kind people love others. Not for personal gain, but for the other person’s benefit.
“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.” (Proverbs 19:17)
This verse helps us understand that kindness is linked to charity. We have the option of giving money to the poor, but there are other sometimes more viable options: food, time, service.
“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
Kindness is revealed in both our words and actions. As the adage goes, kind people don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.
“Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
This is another call from Scripture to forgive and not actively seek the demise of our enemies. The verse applies also to people who aren’t our enemies but sometimes do bad things to us like our children, parents, friends.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
An attitude of kindness allows us to empathize with people in their high and low moments.
“Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
When we act kindly to others, we treat them with a sense of importance. This is visible through our actions and in the conversations we hold with them.
“Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:2)
Kind people don’t carry an antagonistic attitude towards others. There may be people we dislike, but we aren’t actively seeking their downfall.
“But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.” (Luke 6:35)
This verse is another reminder to be kind and do good for others. We are to love our enemies and not expect reciprocity in what we give out. Not from our enemies at least!
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Everyone in life finds themselves suffering at one point or another. God calls for us to carry one another’s burdens.
“Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
If we want kindness from people, we ought to give kindness.
“A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.” (Proverbs 11:17)
Scripture is absolutely clear, there are blessings kind people reap. Cruelty is the opposite of kindness, and thus, produces the opposite results.
“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Kindness is so easy to talk about, but living with this mindset can be a challenge. If we don’t give up though, blessings will follow.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Kindness from Christians is a light that shines before other people, especially nonbelievers.
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Just as we give thanks to God for teaching us mercy, forgiveness, and love, we ought to praise Him for His example of kindness too!
What Does Biblical Kindness Look Like?
Some people hear the phrase, “biblical kindness” and think you’re supposed to be both friendly and nice to people all the time. Biblical kindness is more than just treating people nicely. Instead, Christians are called to treat people as they want to be treated (Matthew 22:39). That includes being friendly but also includes rebuking sin.
Friends encourage, but they also call you out for making bad decisions. Parents love their children, but they also offer discipline. If we didn’t support one another in walking the godly path, that in fact would not be kind. Once we recognize the distinction between worldly and biblical kindness, we can apply the lesson to how we live life.
3 Ways to Practice Kindness Every Day
1. Put Others Before Yourself
One sure way to practice kindness daily is to put others before yourself. Want to talk to someone? Let the conversation be about them before you share. Coming home to a spouse? See how you can serve before making any requests. When we put the needs of others before ourselves, we fulfill the second greatest commandment. We also show the other person that they are seen, acknowledged, and valued. Your relationship means something, so the more you supplement that relationship with kindness, the more you foster its growth. Kindness in a relationship is like water for plants.
2. Listen
How many of your conversations center on yourself? Even if the conversation isn’t centered on you, how many chats do you allow to just be about the other person? Ever feel an urge to talk about yourself? If so, that’s the case with most people today, old and young. The ability to listen is not found with most people. Yet, that very ability is a strong sign of someone who is kind. Such a person doesn’t rush to make themselves the topic, rather they consider what the other person wants to discuss.
3. Empathize
There’s a certain smile people give after sharing an intimate secret or being able to cry on your shoulder. When people find empathy in you, they know they’ve found someone trustworthy and kind. Bearing someone’s suffering is no easy feat, but is a great way to spread God’s love.
Kindness is something we all enjoy, believer and nonbeliever alike. But if we’re being honest, not all of us aspire to be kind. We set the expectation for others, but never measure up ourselves. Today, let’s change that. With these 15 verses in mind, let’s find inspiration through God’s word to move into our tomorrow with a desire to be more like Jesus, and thus, a desire to be more kind.
Photo credit: Photo by Words as Pictures on StockSnap
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.