The Best Response

               See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

                              1 Thes. 5:15 Amplified

Evil is defeated only when we choose to do good in response to it.   This can be very difficult when our emotions are stirred up or when something happens that we didn't expect.  For most of us, the attack that comes at us is not is not as big a problem as knowing how to respond to it is.  

This verse tells us simply to show kindness and seek to do good when we confront evil.  But what does that really mean and how do we do that?

First, let's look at the definitions.  Kindness is an attitude.  Goodness is the action that results from a kind attitude.  Notice the words "aim" and "seek" in this verse - both of them are done on purpose.  They are pre-planned and intentional.  

I used to think that kindness and goodness would just automatically appear in my life.  I would constantly ask God, "How can I do this?"  I didn't realize that in order to reflect kindness to others, I would have to set my mind in advance.  I had to decide that I would be kind no matter what happened.  

Having a kind attitude is a choice.  If we want to reflect kindness then we have to focus our thoughts on it and make a decision to be kind.  This is not a natural state for most of us.  It will require purposeful thought and sometimes great effort.  Standing in our closets does not get our clothes on us.  We have to pick out what we want to wear and then put it on.  Kindness is spiritual clothing that has to be put on mentally before we can operate in it.

Putting on kindness simply means that we decide ahead of time not be offended by anything.  We can plan ahead to not get upset when someone says or does something that we don't like or that hurts us.  Preparing our thoughts beforehand helps us be more successful in the heat of the moment.

Being kind also means that we are merciful.  When we choose to be kind, we are choosing to give mercy.  We choose to overlook the weaknesses of others and focus on their strengths.  This kind of attitude or mindset, is the foundation of our good works.  Now we can treat people right not because they deserve it but because we recognize that we all need the help of God and we all need mercy.

We have the ability to be kind to everyone, no matter what they have done or what they do, by the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and Who strengthens us to do all things.

Good works grow from our choice to be kind.  Being good to people who treat us badly is how we overcome evil.  I'm not saying we let people mistreat us but when it does happen, we can choose to respond with kindness.

Kindness leads to good works and both are fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) that grow and develop in our lives as we continue to put God first in all we do. 

We can respond to every attack with goodness when we decide ahead of time to be kind.

Heidirn