Hey everyone, my name is Austin and welcome back
to another episode of the Unfiltered Faith Podcast.
If you're just tuning in for the first time,
I'm so glad you're here. And if you've been here
before, welcome back. Today we're continuing
the second part of our three -part mini -series
on the fruits of the Spirit. Continuing with
patience, kindness, and goodness. So if you like
to take notes, I encourage you. And while you're
at it, have your Bibles out because we're going
to be looking through several passages of scripture
that will help us with our discussion today.
Patience is the fourth of nine attributes listed
in Galatians 5, 22, and 23. But the fruits of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self
-control. It's easy to talk about patience, but
much harder to practice, especially in a world
that moves at lightning speed. So what does the
Bible teach us about patience, and how can we
cultivate it in our lives? First, let's define
patience from a Biblical perspective. The Greek
word used in Galatians 5 .22 is macrothumia,
which means long -suffering or endurance. It's
not just about waiting. It's about maintaining
a godly attitude while waiting. James 5 .7 -8
gives us a beautiful image of patience. Be patience,
therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming
of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the
precious fruits of the earth. being patient about
it until it receives the early and the late rain.
So just as a farmer trusts that the harvest will
come in due time, we are called to trust in God's
perfect timing. But how often do we truly surrender
our timelines to Him? We live in a culture of
instant gratification. Instant downloads, fast
food, quick fixes. But God's process is often
slow, deliberate, shaping us in the waiting.
The Bible gives us incredible examples of patience
in the waiting. In Genesis 21, 1 through 3, two
people by the name of Abraham and Sarah waited
decades for God's promise of a son. Though they
struggled, God's faithfulness remained. Their
story reminds us that even when we falter in
our waiting, God is merciful and still fulfills
his promises. In Genesis 50, verse 20, Joseph,
betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery and
imprisoned unfairly. Joseph endured years of
hardships before God elevated him to a position
of great influence in Egypt. His patience and
trust in God led to an outcome beyond what he
could have imagined. Job endured immense suffering
yet remained faithful. James 5 11 says, You have
heard of the and perseverance of Job and seeing
the purpose of the Lord. Job's patience amidst
suffering teaches us that even when we don't
understand our trials, God is still at work.
And even Jesus, his patience with his disciples
and with humanity as a whole is the ultimate
example. He waited to begin his ministry and
endured the cross and is still patiently calling
people to himself. His love and long -suffering
nature shows us what true patience looks like.
So why is patience so important? What happens
when we cultivate patience in our lives? Well,
first of all, we get to experience the spiritual
growth. Patience refines our character and deepens
our relationship with God. Romans 5, 3, and 4
says tribulations produce perseverance and perseverance
character and character hope. Trials build patience
and patience strengthens our faith. Number two,
stronger relationships. Proverbs 15, 18 tells
us, A hot tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Patience
helps us to be more understanding, forgiving,
and loving in our relationships. Peace and Joy
When we trust God's timing, we experience greater
peace. Isaiah 26 3 says, You will keep in perfect
peace those whose minds are steadfast because
they trust in you. God's best for us. Rushing
ahead of God's timing can lead to unnecessary
hardship. Proverbs 19 to warns desire without
knowledge is not good How much more will hasty
feet miss the way what hating on the Lord ensures
that we receive his best So how do we develop
patience number one trust God's timing Isaiah
40 verse 31 reminds us But those who wait on
the Lord shall renew their strength and trusting
God's plan helps us develop patience number two
pray for strength Ask God to help you grow in
patience. Philippians 4 .6 encourages us to bring
everything to Him in prayer. Practice daily.
Choose to slow down when facing delays or difficulties.
Take a deep breath and remember that patience
is the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Focus
on eternity. Romans 8 .25 says, but if we hope
for what we do not see, we wait. For it with
patience our present struggles are small in light
of eternity number five and surround yourself
with patient people Proverbs 13 20 says walk
with the wise and become wise being around patient
Faith -filled believers can encourage us in our
journey number six celebrate small victories
recognize and thank God for movement from moments
when you react with patience rather than frustration.
Growth happens step by step. Patience is not
just about waiting. It's about trusting God in
the waiting. It's about reflecting His character
in our daily lives. When we cultivate patience,
we learn to rest in God's faithfulness, love
others better, and experience the peace that
surpasses all understanding. Now that we've explored
patience, let's turn our attention to another
vital fruit of the Spirit, kindness. Kindness
is the fifth and ninth attribute listed in Galatians
5, 22, and 23. What is true, biblical kindness
look like? How do we cultivate it in our daily
lives? And why is it such a vital part of our
Christian walk? Stick with me as we explore this
powerful fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is more
than just being nice. It is a reflection of God's
character. It is an intentional act of love,
compassion, and grace that keeps the good of
others. But where do we see this model best?
In God himself. The kindness of God is evident
through scripture. In Titus 3, 4, and 5 says,
but when the kindness and love of God our savior
appeared, he saved us not because of the righteous
things we had done, but because of his mercy.
God's kindness is not based on merit. It is freely
given, a true mark of his love for us. And as
his followers, we are called to mirror this kindness
in our daily lives. One of the greatest examples
of kindness in the Bible is found in Ephesians
4, 32. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God
forgave you. God's kindness is more powerfully
displayed through Christ's sacrifice. Despite
our sins, He extended grace and forgiveness to
us. The ultimate act of kindness, when we understand
this, we can extend the same kindness to others.
Another powerful story of kindness is found in
2 Samuel 9, where King David shows kindness to
Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his dear friend
Jonathan. Though Mephibosheth had no status or
ability to repay, David restored his land and
welcomed him at his table. This story reminds
us that true kindness is not transactional. It
is an outpouring of love and grace. In the New
Testament, we see Jesus himself as the ultimate
model of kindness. In John 8, 1 -11, but Jesus
went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn, he appeared
again in the temple courts, where all the people
gathered around him, and he sat down to teach
them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees
brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made
her stand before the group and said to Jesus,
Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of
adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone
such woman. Now what do you say? They were using
this question as a trap in order to have a basis
for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started
to write on the ground with his finger. When
they kept on questioning him, he straightened
up and said to them, let any of you who is without
sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Again,
he stooped down and rode on the ground. At this,
those who heard began to go away one at a time,
the older ones first, until Judas was left with
the woman still standing there. Judas straightened
up and asked her, woman, where are they? Has
no one condemned you? No, sir, she said. Then
neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go
now and leave your life of sin. Jesus encountered
a woman caught in adultery. Instead of condemning
her, as the religious leaders expected, He extended
grace, saying, Let any one of you who is without
sin be the first to throw a stone at her. His
kindness and mercy will revere you at the heart
of God. A heart that calls us to compassion rather
than condemnation. So how do we practice kindness?
Well, first of all, we practice kindness with
our words. Proverb 1624 says, gracious words
are honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing
to the bones. Our words have power, power to
build up or to tear down. Speaking encouragement
and truth and love isn't an act of kindness.
Number two, through our actions. Acts nine tells
us the story of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas,
a woman full of kindness, always doing good and
helping the poor. We too can reflect kindness
through acts of service, generosity, and hospitality.
Number 3. By forgiving. Colossians 3, 12 -13
instructs us to Clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and passion.
Bear with each other and forgive one another,
if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. True kindness
includes extending forgiveness, even when it's
difficult. Number four, through everyday opportunities.
Kindness doesn't have to be a gray hand gesture.
It can be as simple as holding the door open
for someone, checking in on a friend, or choosing
to respond with patience rather than frustration.
Number five, by showing hospitality. Hebrews
13 two encourages us, do not forget to show hospitality
to strangers. By doing so, some people have shown
hospitality to angels without knowing it. A welcoming
heart reflects the kindness of Christ. Number
six, by loving our enemies. Jesus commanded us
in Luke 6 to 35, but love your enemy, do good
to them, and lend to them without expecting to
get anything back. Then your reward will be great,
and you will become children of the most high,
because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
True kindness is not selective. It extends even
to those who have wronged us. Sometimes kindness
can be difficult. Maybe we feel too busy, we
struggle with unforgiveness. Or we fear that
our kindness will be taken for granted. But the
Bible encourages us in Galatians 6, let us not
grow weary in doing good. Kindness is not about
recognition. It's about obedience and faithfulness
to God. When we show kindness, we plant seeds
that may one day bear fruit in the lives of others.
Let's take a moment to reflect. Have there been
moments in your life when you've received kindness
that changed your perspective? Or are there areas
where God is calling you to extend kindness,
even when it's hard? Let's remember that kindness
is not just about what we do. It's about who
we are becoming in Christ. When we practice kindness,
we reflect the heart of God and invite others
into His love and grace. Now that we've explored
kindness, let's turn our attention to another
vital fruit of the Spirit. Goodness. Goodness
is the sixth of nine attributes listed in Galatians
5, 22, and 23. And now when you hear the word
goodness, what comes to mind? Maybe it's helping
an elderly neighbor carry their groceries, donating
to charity, or simply being polite. And yes,
those things are great, but biblical goodness
goes so much deeper. It's not just about doing
things. It's about being transformed from the
inside out so that goodness flows naturally from
our hearts. So what is goodness? We use the word
good all the time. That was a good meal. He's
a good guy. That was a good movie. But when the
Bible talks about goodness, it's talking about
something much deeper than being polite, nice,
or even generous. In Galatians 5, 22, and 23,
Paul lists goodness as one of the first of the
spirit, evidence that God is working within us.
The Greek word for goodness here is agathesson,
which means moral excellence, uprightness of
heart. Goodness that actively works for the benefit
of others. It's not just not doing wrong. It's
actively doing what is right, even when it's
inconvenient or hard. Think of it like this.
Kindness is showing compassion to someone. Goodness
is going a step further, tangibly helping them,
even if it costs you something. This brings us
to an important question. Where does goodness
come from? Well, God is goodness. The Bible makes
it clear that God doesn't just do good. He is
good. Psalms 34 8 says taste and see that the
Lord is good Nehemiah 1 7 says the Lord is good
a refugee in times of trouble James 1 17 says
Every good and perfect gift is from above coming
down from a father of heavenly lights Everything
God does even when we don't deserve it is ultimately
good even in suffering. We can trust that God
is working for our good Romans 8 28 Jesus is
the perfect model of goodness If you want to
see what real goodness looks like, look at Jesus.
He fed the hungry. Matthew 14, 13 -21. He forgave
sinners. John 8, 1 -11. He sacrificed himself
for us. John 10, 11. Luke 23 -34 records Jesus'
words on the dross. Father forgive them, for
they do not know what they are doing. So the
question is, how do we live out this kind of
goodness in our daily lives? Number 1. Start
with integrity. Doing what's right even when
no one is watching Colossians 3 23 tells us whatever
you do work at it with all your heart as working
for the Lord not for human masters Goodness starts
in private being honest keeping your word and
doing the right thing even when no one will notice
Think about it. Would you still do the right
thing if there was no reward? Would you be honest
with if no one was checking? True goodness isn't
about recognition It's about who we are when
no one is watching. Number two, overcoming evil
with goodness. Romans 12, 21 says, do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is hard. It's easy to return anger with
anger, to gossip with another to gossip, or to
hold grudges. But Jesus calls us to a different
standard. Some practical ways to live this out,
first of all, is at work. Instead of retaliating
against a rude coworker, show patience and kindness.
In relationships, forgive even when you're hurt.
And on social media, speak life, not hate. Goodness
isn't passive, it's active. It's choosing to
be light in a world filled with good darkness.
Number three, be generous. Goodness in action.
Galatians 6, 9, and 10 says, let us not grow
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore,
as we have the opportunity, let us do good to
all people. This means helping those in need,
even when it's inconvenient, giving without expecting
anything in return, being a source of encouragement
to others. One powerful example is the good Samaritan,
Luke 10, 25 -37. Religious people ignored him.
A Samaritan, who had every reason to walk away,
chose to help. That's real goodness, helping
even when you don't have to. Living out goodness
isn't easy. but it's what we're called to do.
And here's the best part. We don't have to force
goodness. We don't have to fake goodness. God
through his spirit produces it in us. Let's not
just talk about goodness. Let's live it. So here
are three challenges that I have for you this
week. Number one, practice patience by choosing
to respond calmly in frustrating situations.
Whether it's hating in a long line, dealing with
a difficult coworker, or facing an unexpected
delay, take a deep breath and remind yourself
to trust God's timing rather than reacting to
frustration. 2. Perform at least one intentional
act of kindness each day of the week. This could
be complimenting a stranger, writing a thoughtful
note, or helping someone in need. The goal is
to cultivate a habit of kindness in both words
and actions. 3. Stand firm in doing what is right,
even when it's difficult or unpopular. This might
mean speaking up for someone who is being mistreated,
refusing to engage in gossip, or making ethical
decisions at work even if it comes at a cost.
Thank you for joining me today on the Unfiltered
Faith Podcast. If you liked today's episode,
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the Unfiltered Faith Podcast. Until next time,
keep seeking those fresh perspectives and keep
having those unfiltered conversations with someone
to better understand the world around us.