Embracing Kindness and Goodness Through God's Spirit

Summary

The presence of God is not an accident—He is here, and He is moving among us. When we gather, we invite the Holy Spirit to shake what needs to be shaken, reveal what needs to be revealed, and change what needs to be changed. We are in a spiritual wrestling match every day, a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh desires control, but the Spirit desires fruit—specifically, the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Today, the focus is on kindness and goodness, and how these two are deeply connected.

Kindness is a reflection of a tender heart. It flows from a place where bitterness has not taken root. If bitterness is present, kindness cannot flourish. The atmosphere we create—whether bitter or kind—affects everyone around us. Bitterness hardens us, but kindness, rooted in a tender heart, makes others feel safe and seen. God Himself is the ultimate example of kindness; He is safe, He is tenderhearted, and He loves the real us, not the version we pretend to be.

Goodness, on the other hand, is about uprightness of heart and life. It’s what happens when God stands us up after we’ve been knocked down. Life will knock us down—our marriages, our confidence, our calling, our joy—but God’s goodness is always chasing after us, ready to stand us up again. When we allow God to heal the places that have been knocked down, bitterness is uprooted, and we are free to show kindness to others. The fruit of the Spirit is not just for us; it’s for those around us. People feed off the fruit we bear, and through our lives, they see Jesus.

God is not looking for robots; He’s given us free will so that our choice to walk in the Spirit brings Him glory. The more we walk with Jesus, the more our character is transformed. If we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. Even when we fall, God’s grace stands us up again. His goodness and mercy are running after us, and He is always ready to restore what’s been lost. As we surrender to Him, He fills us with His Spirit, renews our minds, and empowers us to show His goodness and kindness wherever we go.

Key Takeaways

- The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit: Every believer is engaged in a daily struggle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. The flesh seeks control and self-indulgence, but the Spirit produces fruit that reflects God’s character. Our choices in this battle determine whether we walk in freedom or bondage, and whether our lives bring glory to God. [35:00]

- Kindness Flows from a Tender Heart: True kindness is not a surface-level act but a reflection of a heart that is free from bitterness. Bitterness hardens us and blocks kindness, but when we allow God to heal our hearts, kindness becomes a natural outflow. The atmosphere we create—whether bitter or kind—shapes the environment for ourselves and those around us. [43:30]

- Goodness Is God Standing You Up Again: Goodness is not just about moral behavior; it’s about God’s power to restore what has been knocked down in our lives. When we experience loss, disappointment, or failure, God’s goodness pursues us, lifts us up, and enables us to walk uprightly again. This restoration is not just for our benefit but so that others can see the goodness of God through us. [56:37]

- The Fruit of the Spirit Is for Others: The evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives is not just seen in private devotion but in how we treat others, especially in the small, everyday “micro-assignments” God gives us. Our kindness and goodness are meant to feed and bless those around us, revealing Jesus to a watching world. The fruit we bear is a testimony to God’s transforming power. [54:02]

- God’s Goodness Is Always Chasing Us: No matter how many times we’ve been knocked down, God’s goodness and mercy are relentlessly pursuing us. He is ready to restore, redeem, and renew every area of our lives. Our response is to surrender, allow Him to heal us, and then become vessels of His kindness and goodness to others, trusting that He is still working on us and through us. [01:04:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Honoring Leadership and Radiate Church
[05:10] - Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit
[08:45] - The War Between Flesh and Spirit
[13:00] - Wrestling with the Flesh: Everyday Examples
[16:30] - The Flesh Desires Control, the Spirit Desires Fruit
[20:00] - Character Transformation Through Intimacy with God
[23:30] - Acts of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
[27:00] - The Danger of Bitterness and the Power of Kindness
[31:50] - Kindness as a Reflection of the Heart
[36:50] - Goodness: God Standing You Up Again
[41:11] - Micro and Macro Assignments of Kindness
[49:01] - Real-Life Stories of Kindness and Goodness
[54:02] - The Fruit of the Spirit Is for Others
[59:12] - God’s Goodness Is Chasing After You
[01:04:08] - Responding to God’s Goodness and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kindness & Goodness—When God Stands You Up

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### Bible Reading

Galatians 5:16-23 (ESV)
> 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
> 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
> Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Galatians 5, what is the difference between the desires of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit? What are some examples of each?
2. In Ephesians 4:31-32, what does Paul say should be “put away” from us, and what should take its place?
3. The sermon says, “Kindness comes from a tender heart. A heart that's not hardened.” What does it look like when someone is living with a tender heart versus a bitter heart? [[43:30]]
4. The pastor described “goodness” as “when you get knocked down and God stands you back up again.” What are some areas of life he mentioned where people might get knocked down? [[55:27]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul lists both “kindness” and “goodness” as separate fruits of the Spirit? How are they connected, and how are they different?
2. The sermon says, “If you have bitterness, you cannot be kind because kindness comes from a tender heart.” Why does bitterness block kindness, and what does that reveal about the condition of our hearts? [[43:30]]
3. The pastor said, “The fruit of the Spirit is not just for us; it’s for those around us. People feed off the fruit we bear, and through our lives, they see Jesus.” What does it mean for others to “feed off” the fruit in our lives? [[54:02]]
4. The message talked about God’s goodness “chasing after us” and standing us up again. How does this view of God’s goodness change the way we respond to failure or disappointment? [[56:37]]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “If you have bitterness, you cannot be kind because kindness comes from a tender heart.” Is there any bitterness in your heart right now that might be blocking kindness? What would it look like to let God heal that area? [[43:30]]
2. Think of a recent time when you were “knocked down” in life—maybe in your marriage, your confidence, your calling, or your joy. How did you respond? Did you sense God’s goodness helping you stand up again, or is that something you need to invite Him into now? [[55:27]]
3. The sermon talked about “micro-assignments”—small, everyday opportunities to show kindness. Can you remember a recent “micro-assignment” where you had a chance to be kind? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [[54:02]]
4. The pastor said, “God is not looking for robots; He’s given us free will so that our choice to walk in the Spirit brings Him glory.” What is one area where you feel the “battle” between flesh and Spirit most strongly? What would it look like to choose the Spirit this week? [[35:00]]
5. The message said, “The fruit of the Spirit is not just for us; it’s for those around us.” Who in your life needs to “feed” off your kindness or goodness right now? How can you intentionally show them the love of Jesus this week? [[54:02]]
6. The pastor described God as “safe, tenderhearted, and loving the real us, not the version we pretend to be.” Are there places in your life where you feel you have to pretend? What would it look like to let God love the real you? [[46:24]]
7. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” How does believing that God’s goodness is “chasing after you” affect your outlook on your current struggles or disappointments? [[01:04:08]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God to heal any bitterness, to stand up anyone who feels knocked down, and to fill each person with His Spirit so they can show kindness and goodness wherever they go.

Devotional

Day 1: Walking by the Spirit Produces True Change
There is a daily battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of God’s work within us. True transformation happens from the inside out, not by our own strength or willpower, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our character and actions. As we walk with Jesus, our lives should increasingly reflect His nature—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The longer we walk with Him, the more our behavior, words, and responses should be different from who we once were, showing the world the reality of Christ in us. [36:50]

Galatians 5:16-23 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most notice the struggle between your flesh and the Spirit, and what is one practical step you can take today to let the Spirit lead you instead of your feelings?


Day 2: Intimacy with Jesus Bears Fruit
Remaining connected to Jesus is the only way to bear lasting fruit in our lives. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, we cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit apart from Christ. Our intimacy with Him transforms our character, making us more like Him and enabling us to live out His love and goodness. When we abide in Jesus, He works in us and through us, and our lives become a testimony of His power and grace to those around us. [38:30]

John 15:5 (ESV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally draw closer to Jesus today, so that His life and character can flow through you more fully?


Day 3: Kindness Flows from a Tender Heart
Kindness is not just an outward action but a reflection of a tender, unburdened heart. Bitterness and unforgiveness harden our hearts and block kindness from flowing, but when we allow God to heal and soften us, kindness becomes natural and contagious. The way we treat others—especially in small, everyday interactions—reveals what is truly in our hearts. God calls us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, just as He has been toward us, creating an atmosphere where others feel safe and valued. [43:30]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there any bitterness or unforgiveness in your heart that is keeping you from showing kindness? What step can you take today to let God soften your heart?


Day 4: God’s Goodness Stands Us Up Again
No matter how many times we are knocked down by life, sin, or disappointment, God’s goodness is always pursuing us, ready to restore and stand us up again. When we surrender to Jesus, He makes us righteous, lifts us from our failures, and empowers us to live out His goodness. Even if bitterness or discouragement has crept in, God can remove it and renew our hearts, so that we can reflect His goodness and kindness to others. Our story becomes a testimony of His grace, and our lives point others to the hope found in Him. [57:52]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel knocked down or discouraged? Ask God to stand you up again and show you how His goodness is pursuing you today.


Day 5: The Fruit of the Spirit Impacts Others
The fruit of the Spirit is not just for our own benefit but is meant to nourish and bless those around us. Our daily choices, words, and attitudes can either point people to Jesus or push them away. God calls us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, creating a culture of grace wherever we go. As we allow the Holy Spirit to develop all the fruit in our lives, we become living testimonies of God’s love, and even small acts of kindness can become powerful micro-assignments that change someone’s day or life. [01:01:58]

Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Who is one person you will encounter today that you can intentionally bless with kindness or encouragement, even in a small way?

Quotes

The flesh desires control, but the spirit desires fruit. Notice I did not say the spirit wants control. That was intentional because God's not looking to control you. God did not create robots. He didn't program us to think a certain way and walk a certain way and do everything he says when he says it. [00:36:24] (19 seconds)  #GodDoesNotControl Edit Clip

Your feelings will mislead you. Your feelings will misguide you. We don't function on feelings. Feelings are great indicators. They're a terrible pilot. Feelings are a great indicator and help us measure what's going on around us. But if we operate on our feelings, I don't feel like going to church today, so I'll just stay home. [00:41:11] (22 seconds)  #FeelingsAreNotFaith Edit Clip

If I start preaching, my feelings will catch up to the facts, and my feelings will catch up to my faith. So I just want to tell somebody, we don't operate on feelings. We operate on what God says. If you worship me, I show up. If you get your eyes on me, I become bigger than what has got problems all around you. We catch up. Our feelings catch up to what God says. [00:41:53] (23 seconds)  #KindnessRevealsHeart Edit Clip

There's nothing in your life that's been knocked down that God can't stand up again. There's no marriage. There's no calling. There's no confidence. There's no anxiety. There's no depression. If you've been knocked down, God wants to remove the bitter root and stand you back up again so that His goodness shows and you show kindness to everybody you come into contact with. [00:57:14] (20 seconds)  #CheckYourEnvironment Edit Clip

God is the only one who can take a real good mess and give us a real good message. Think about that. God is the only one. In fact, the only reason we're good is it actually has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Jesus. [00:57:36] (15 seconds)  #GodsGoodnessFollows Edit Clip

A seed is planted, and then in the right environment it grows. If you don't see the fruit of your life like the fruit of the Spirit, I would ask you to check your surroundings. Who are you hanging with? Check the people. Check the places. I want to say it like this. Check out what you're checking out if you're not seeing the fruit in your life. [01:00:10] (23 seconds) Edit Clip