12 Inspiring ‘Be Kind’ Bible Verses

Do you live near a mean neighbor? Or, maybe a friend is not so nice and your tendency is to respond harshly or negatively. It could even be a spouse you struggle with responding to gently. Being kind to others is one of the Fruits of the Spirit, so having key Be Kind Bible Verses will tenderize your heart with compassion and caring as Christ has done for us.  

What Does the Bible Say about Love Being Kind? 

When my kids were little and squabbling, my go-to verse was usually Ephesians 4:32. When they would fight or cry about a toy or hitting each other, I’d always say ‘Be ye kind to one other…tenderhearted, forgiving one another’.

Yet, honestly, I struggled with it myself. It’s hard to forgive those who don’t ask for it. It was much easier when others asked for forgiveness, but I found most human beings do not say they’re sorry or ‘apologize’.  Instead, they ignore their offenses. I think a lot of times people don’t address this part of the human condition. 

Jesus did say we must continuously forgive those who do offend us. Why is it so hard?

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Bible Verses about Treating Someone Badly

We do have a choice – we can respond negatively, hold love or a relationship with them, and not forgive. Yet, that’s the worldly way. We are not supposed to be like the world. In Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

So, going back to the choice we have in front of us. We can obey God and forgive people that cause harm, or we can satisfy the flesh and sin against Him. Before we make that decision to let us control ourselves, we can think about this statement – Jesus forgave us too when we didn’t ask for forgiveness. 

God’s Love is Patient and Kind

If we can recognize and fully appreciate God’s love for us, maybe it will help us to be more Christ-like. If our Lord can die for us, why can’t we forgive one another as he does?   

It’s the flesh, my friend. We’re stubborn, bullheaded, and don’t want to cross that line. We convince ourselves that they don’t deserve it. Yet, do we deserve forgiveness from Christ? I know I don’t, yet, He still did anyway.

What Does the Bible Say about Kindness to Others?

So, why is it SO HARD to extend kindness to others as Christ did? Well, we have to be in a certain condition, we can only be kind when we’re in the Spirit. 

In other words, get right with God, be close to Jesus, and you will be kind with gentleness and goodness. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8

What Happens When We Are Not Kind

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:15 that if we don’t forgive those who sin against us, He will not forgive us! That’s kind of scary! If you fear the Lord, you know it’s not good that God won’t forgive you. 

Matthew 6:15 – But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

In 1 John 1:9, we must always confess our sins when we are not kind to others or unforgiving. It cleanses us from unrighteousness. It wipes the slate clean. Yet, remember, we must want to change our behavior. 

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Bible Verses about Being Kind to Those Who are Mean

It’s tough to respond positively to those who are mean, nasty, offensive and/or rude. They are the ones with the glass always half empty or with an attitude of ‘woe is me’. Yet, we are commanded to love people anyway. You’ve heard the expression,” kill them with kindness.’

Why We Should Be Kind

King Solomon was the wisest man on earth and gave good advice in Proverbs. We find in Proverbs 11:17, if you are merciful to others, it’s good for you too! However, if you’re cruel, it will haunt you. It’s better to choose mercy than to be cruel as you will be troubled as well. 

Proverbs 11:17 – The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Bible Verse about Treating Someone Badly

I’m not going to suggest it’s easy to be sweet to others, my friend. Most of us have encountered people who are difficult to be kind to. God even addresses in His word that we are to love our enemies. The Bible tells us we are NOT to treat someone badly. 

Instead, Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:43-48 to love our neighbors as ourselves, even if they are hard to be around or live with.  – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

How to Know You’re Being Kind

A pastor during our revival at church this week honed in on how to recognize whether you are in the Spirit. He asked, “Are you gentle with your spouse? Kids? Friends?” One of the many Fruit of the spirit is being gentle, kind, and patient. 

If you lack these ‘fruits of the spirit’, you do not have control of your thoughts and mind, the Spirit does not. So, if you are finding yourself not having a controlled mind that’s under the captivity of Christ, you need to take Biblical inventory of your mind! 

How Many Times Is Kindness Mentioned in the Bible

According to answers.com, the word kindness in the KJV version appears 48 times, lovingkindness 26 times, and lovingkindnesses word 4 times. I don’t remember seeing it spelled like that in plural but must have breezed right over it! 

Be Kind Bible Verses

Let’s get to the meat of the conversation. Need some Kindness Bible Verses to get you through the day? Maybe it’s a coworker or colleague, business partner, or spouse, whatever your relationship is with them, we must be kind. 

Bible Verse About Kindness and Generosity

It seems as though kindness and generosity go hand and hand in the Bible. If you are being kind, you are being generous with encouragement and peace. 

Luke 6:35 – But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Colossians 3:12 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Proverbs 19:17 – He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Bible Verse About Kindness and Patience

Part of being gentle with your words requires a fruit of the Spirit – patience. If we get frustrated easily, we can lose our Christian testimony pretty quickly. Even when someone is treating us unfairly or unkindly, the Bible tells us we have an opportunity to do good to others. 

Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Galatians 6:10 – As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Bible Verses About Having a Good Heart

Do you have a good, clean heart? If your heart is hardened, the Lord can’t use you to spread his message of the gospel. Are you quick to judgment, lose control of your tongue, or have a tendency to respond negatively? If so, it’s time to meditate on God’s word and change your heart. 

For out of the heart comes the issues of life. Would you like to learn how to guard your heart from evil and wicked thoughts? Try these 7 Ways to Guard Your Heart. 

1 John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 Peter 3:9 – Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Ideas for Being Kind

Here are some fresh ideas or ‘random acts of kindness’ to get you started. There are so many easy ways to show kindness to your neighbor, stranger, or even your friends or spouse. All of these I have done so I’m not telling you to do something I haven’t already delivered myself. 

• Write a note to say ‘Thinking of You’ to a new friend. 
• Send a note along with your husband to say ‘I love you’
• Tell your kids something you love about them.
• Send a Bible Verse graphic or meme to someone going through a hard time.
• Practice Biblical hospitality and have a friend over for tea and cookies. 
• Buy a small plant with a Good News track or bookmark & leave it with a neighbor.
• Call a sick friend and tell them you’re praying for them. 

How can you be more intentional and be kind? Have these 12 Inspired Be Kind Bible Verses encouraged you to be caring and love each other? If so, you’re on the right path. Get right with the Lord, He’ll guide you on how to be loving and nurturing when it’s not in your nature.