[ All scripture references are from the New Living Translation — NLT ]
The New Testament uses a striking metaphor when it instructs Christians to “clothe” themselves with kindness. Clothing is not incidental or hidden; it is worn daily, it is felt by the one who wears it, and is immediately visible to others. In the same way, kindness is meant to be an inward disposition that expresses itself outwardly through the habits, words, and actions of a Christian life. Paul exhorts believers, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Scripture consistently makes a connection between our hearts and the life we live. Jesus teaches that what fills a person internally cannot help but appear externally: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart” (Matthew 12:35). Proverbs echoes this truth, observing that “a cheerful heart makes a face beautiful” (Proverbs 15:13). Over time, the virtues we cultivate shape the persons we become. Kindness, practiced faithfully, becomes something we wear.
While all efforts to rigidly map moral qualities onto facial features or bodily form have ultimately overreached, I believe they were animated by an insight that is wiser than their methods. Over time, our interior dispositions press outward. Virtue and vice work themselves into the posture and tone a person expresses.
The Bible consistently teaches that our inner life cannot be disentangled from outward consequences. “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,” Jesus says, “and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart” (Matthew 12:35, NLT). What accumulates internally eventually will express itself externally.
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament makes this connection even more concrete. “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed,” (Proverbs 11:25). Likewise, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body, but jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).
The biblical vision of human beings leaves little room for the illusion that sin or virtue can remain invisible. Paul writes that “whatever a person sows, he will reap” (Galatians 6:7). The sowing may occur in secret, but the reaping inevitably becomes visible. Habits settle into identity. What begins in the heart slowly shapes the whole self.
A person who habitually blesses others becomes the sort of person whose presence is steady and life-giving. Someone who nurtures resentment often becomes sharp-edged and restless. Again from Proverbs, “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:13). Scripture teaches that over time, the moral orientation of a life shapes the whole person.
In this sense, the scriptural call to kindness is not merely about isolated acts of benevolence. It is about formation. As we become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), our inner transformation increasingly finds outward expression. The Spirit’s work within bears fruit that can be seen: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…” (Galatians 5:22). Fruit, by definition, is visible. It grows from hidden roots, but it appears openly.
I find it interesting that modern research has begun to confirm what Scripture has long taught. Studies increasingly show that kindness benefits not only those who receive it, but those who practice it. Regular acts of kindness are associated with improved mental health, greater physical vitality, reduced stress, and even increased longevity.
Yet kindness is not merely a pathway to well-being. For Christians, it is a reflection of God’s own character. Scripture testifies repeatedly that God is kind. “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Psalm 103:8). Paul reminds believers that salvation itself is an act of divine kindness: “God saved you by his grace when you believed… For we are God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:8–10). Even more striking is that this kindness was shown not when humanity was deserving, but when it was rebellious: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
Because God is kind, his people are called to be kind. Paul writes that “a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone” (2 Timothy 2:24). Kindness is not optional or peripheral; it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a defining mark of Christian identity. When Christians act with kindness, they make visible the invisible grace of God.
Still, kindness must be properly understood. It is not synonymous with niceness. Niceness seeks pleasantness; kindness seeks love ordered by truth. Love, Paul says, “is patient and kind… it does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6). True kindness can involve correction, courage, and sacrifice. Proverbs reminds us, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:5).
The opposite of kindness is envy. Kindness builds; envy consumes. Kindness reflects the love of God; envy corrodes the soul of the one who harbors it. Scripture is unambiguous: “Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart” (1 John 3:15).
For the Christian, then, kindness is not optional. Nor is it easy. It often runs against instinct, impulse, and pride. Yet kindness can be cultivated. Paul encourages believers, “Don’t get tired of doing good… At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Kindness may not transform the world overnight. But like yeast working through dough, it will quietly alter everything it touches—including those who wear it. To be clothed in kindness is to live in obedience to God and to bear his likeness before the world, in body and in soul.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org