But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation
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I have been unclear as to the difference between Kindness and Goodness. So I did a little research and discovered that while kindness is the quality of being generous, considerate and friendly, goodness is the quality of being virtuous or morally good. Goodness involves righteousness in action, doing what is right. Evil is the opposite of goodness.
If kindness is “doing.” Goodness is “being.”
God is Goodness. Goodness is God.
How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19 NLT
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Psalm 33:5 NLT
Christian “Goodness”
Some synonyms of Goodness are: Honesty (truthfulness), Integrity (uprightness), Righteousness (justice), Virtue (honor). This puts Goodness squarely in the realm of inner character. And that makes it pretty impossible to fake.
So how do we open ourselves so that the Spirit can fill us with the Fruit of Goodness? I think it begins with where we have some control: our minds (the thoughts we dwell on), and our deeds (the behaviors we exhibit).
Godly Thoughts …
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 NLT
Godly Deeds …
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14 NLT
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 NLT
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—
the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—
for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:11 NLT