Use these 11 Bible verses about kindness to help prioritize kindness and show the love of Christ in our broken world today.
In our world today (especially on social media), it can feel like kindness has become a lost art. The kindness of people can seem lost in the tension and conflict in today’s world.
In a society that seems to care more about winning arguments than people’s hearts, I want to choose to be intentional about showing kindness (especially to those who don’t deserve it).
Sometimes that means connecting with people I haven’t heard from in a while, or maybe helping someone at the grocery store who looks like they’re having a hard time. Sometimes things as simple and encouraging as simply smiling and intentionally asking the people around me how they are doing can make a world of difference.
As a follower of Christ, I certainly want to be a vessel of God’s goodness, but that starts with understanding goodness in the Bible. Let’s dive in!
Bible verses about kindness – Kindness in the Bible
1. Proverbs 19:17 – Be kind to the poor
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay them for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17
Being kind to the poor can sometimes be difficult. It’s hard to know exactly what to do in certain situations, especially when they may be unfriendly or act in ways we don’t understand. It is so important that we continue to show our kindness to the poor, even without knowing the details of their story.
God created each of us. poor and rich. He has given us so much that we do not deserve.
The community of Christ is such a beautiful thing, learning to care for each other when someone around us is lacking.
When we show our kindness to the poor, we are also giving our kindness to the Lord. Let us care, encourage one another, and show kindness to God’s children.
2. Luke 6:35 – Love your enemies
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Luke 6:35
“For he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Yeeks. Talk about a challenge!
Relationships with people can be difficult because none of us are perfect.
It can be even more difficult when someone becomes your enemy.
When someone has hurt you, it’s much easier to hurt them or just walk away from them so you don’t have to deal with the conflict at all (and sometimes setting boundaries is healthy and necessary).
But our call here is clear. love your enemies and do good to them without expecting anything in return.
That’s a lot easier said than done, and of course I’m still learning how to do it well, but it’s such a worthy goal to strive for.
The best news is that when our strength fails, we have a Savior to fill our gaps.
3. Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in love
Be lovingly devoted to one another. Honor each other above yourselves.
Romans 12:10
In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.”
Both these sectors go hand in hand. We must respect each other above ourselves. We must be lovingly committed to one another. We must love one another as we love ourselves.
Take the time to think about how you would like to be treated by another person, a stranger or a friend. What does that look like?
Whatever you think about how you would like to be treated, that’s how you should treat others. Treat others with kindness and love. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient, love is kind
Love is patient, love is kind. He is not jealous, does not brag, is not proud. It does not disrespect others, it is not selfish, it does not get angry easily, it does not record mistakes. Love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
God created each of us. He took his time carefully grooming each one of us. All are children of God.
God’s perfect love is patient and kind. Just as God’s love for us is unconditional, so is His goodness. This verse does not describe the other half of a relationship, just your responsibility to love someone well, patiently, kindly, and humbly.
5. Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit. I have memorized these verses since I was a child and it is a verse that I recite to myself every day.
They paint such a beautiful picture of a person firmly rooted in Christ with confidence, joy and faith in God.
Goodness is the fruit of the Spirit, the outward sign of Jesus’ work in our hearts.
A college Bible study leader once pointed out to me that these are called the “fruit” of the Spirit, singular. Not “fruits”, plural. Meaning all these features work together to make each other complete. There is no peace without love. Without peace, there is no patience. No patience, no kindness, etc.
I appreciate the reminder as I strive to grow in kindness that the kinder I become, the more that kindness will flow out and increase my patience, love, and joy.
6. Galatians 6:10 – Let’s do good to all people
Therefore, since we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
We always have a choice, we always have a chance to do good to each other.
To those who believe in Christ, but also to those who may not. Let’s do good to all people.
It can be as simple as saying hello to someone at the grocery store, praying for someone, or asking someone out for coffee.
I recently had the opportunity to do a good deed at the grocery store when a short old lady needed help getting a slice of cheese. He wasn’t asking for help and it could have been so easy to go my way, but I went ahead and offered him help. He was so grateful.
That intentional act of kindness can do everything from brighten someone’s day to changing the course of their life forever.
Doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s all act on those opportunities to do good for one another.
7. Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
It’s no surprise to me that the Bible so clearly instructs us to be kind several times.
The fact is that kindness is not natural. If we were to “follow our hearts” (a dangerous path encouraged in the world today), we would become more and more self-centered, seeking to satisfy our needs and serve only ourselves.
I would rather follow the wise instruction of God’s Word, which tells us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, even when we don’t want to and when the other person doesn’t deserve it.
8. Colossians 3:12-13 – Dress yourself in kindness
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and beloved people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another if any of you have a grudge against anyone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13
“Dress Yourself” echoes the intentionality we’ve been talking about in this post. Clothes don’t just magically slide over your body.
It requires you to choose what you’re going to wear, pull it out of your wardrobe, and pull your arms through your shirt.
What would that look like in kindness?
For me, that often means thinking ahead and creating creative ways to serve people; surprising my son’s teachers with a surprise thank you gift, leaving a local restaurant a glowing review after loving their food, offering to watch my neighbor’s dogs when you hear they’re going out of town.
Kindness includes many different things: warmth, helpfulness, service, awareness of the needs of others, generosity, and much more.
9. 1 Peter 3:8-9 – Love my zmimin
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, empathize, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, for this is what you were called to inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9
This verse is one we should all carry with us and remember throughout our days.
Let us be compassionate, empathetic and humble. If someone treats us badly, we shouldn’t automatically treat them the same way, but instead show them the kindness they may need.
We should all show love and kindness to one another.
10. 1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply
Above all, love one another deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Love covers a multitude of sins. Wow! Isn’t that incredible?
I feel that love and kindness go hand in hand. Build each other up instead of tearing each other down. Choose to respond with patience and kindness instead of harsh words and the silent treatment.
Deep love requires us to be uncomfortable, as does kindness.
11. 1 John 3:18 – Let’s love not with words, but with deeds
Dear children, let us love not in word or word, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18
I love this part. We must love and be kind to one another not only with our words but also with our actions. Let us show kindness to others through our actions.
Send that text to someone having a rough week. Write a letter to someone who has been on your mind, ask if someone needs help, reach out when help is needed, give freely to others, hold a door open for someone.
There are so many acts, big but also small, that can show kindness to one another. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be simple and small.
During the week, try to do one kind thing for someone each day. Write them on your calendar if it helps you keep track.
When you work this into your daily life, showing kindness to people through your actions will simply become a regular habit.
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