Whether you’ve experienced it online, in person, or both, we are constantly surrounded by messages of criticism and unkindness. In many contexts, sharing harsh opinions on others’ appearance, talent, and ineptitude is a favorite pastime and an entertaining sport. Some of us enjoy watching a verbal takedown or feel a sense of pride when we come up with the “perfect” put-down at the perfect time. There’s a perverse sense of satisfaction in being unkind to someone, which is part of our sinful humanness. No one has to teach us how to be unkind—unfortunately, it comes naturally.
That’s why when we see or experience kindness, it’s disruptive. It stops us and convicts us of our sinful thoughts or behaviors. When your enemy is hungry, do you take that opportunity to rub it in their face and savor your juicy hamburger in front of them? Or do you give them your meal or pay for theirs? When you return unkindness with kindness, you don’t have to rub anything in their face; the Bible says they will experience “heaping burning coals on our heads” (Prov 25:22).
Showing kindness doesn’t always change a hostile situation into a friendly one, but it does show a work of the Spirit in the kindness-giver’s heart. We become more like Christ the more kindness we show to others. Do you need God’s help to show kindness to others—especially those who act unkindly to you? I do, too. Here are some verses to encourage us along the way.
20 Bible Verses on Showing Kindness to Others
- Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - Galatians 6:10 (ESV)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 5:22 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, - Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. - 1 John 3:17 (ESV)
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? - Matthew 5:42 (ESV)
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. - Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - 1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. - Matthew 25:34-36 (ESV)
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ - Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. - Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Romans 12:10 (ESV)
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. - Zechariah 7:9 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another. - Zechariah 7:10 (ESV)
Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” - Luke 6:27-31 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. - Leviticus 19:34 (ESV)
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. - Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
His kindness leads us to repentance
We often associate kindness with being friendly or smiling, as if that makes one kind or unkind. However, the Bible tells us that God’s kindness was the proactive force behind our salvation. His kindness, forbearance, and patience led us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Jesus absorbed all the unkindness heaped upon him on the cross to make his once-enemies now his friends.
We should bear more spiritual fruit of kindness as evidence of God’s kind work in our hearts. So, remember Christ the next time you’re tempted to return insult for insult. His kindness heaped burning coals on your head and caused you to repent and bring about your salvation. Maybe your kindness will produce the same result in someone else.
How kind of God to use us in such a way.
