Law of Kindness

I attended a simulcast of a women’s conference titled Living Proof Live, featuring Bible teacher Beth Moore, and was both challenged and encouraged. I thought I’d recap the main points of her message here.
The theme verse for the day was Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” She made the case that we live in a mean world, and that we have a responsibility to use our voice to bring warmth, and kindness.
I will list below, what she called the 8 Tastes of Biblical Kindess.
1. Kindness is not weakness.
It is not about being a “nice” woman, ignorant of the world around us. Kindness requires divine empowerment and is perfectly capable of speaking a hard word. Prov 11:16 says that a kind-hearted woman gains respect.
2. Kindness is not an action, it’s a disposition.
True kindness cannot be faked, as it comes from the heart. If only from the mouth, it would be empty flattery. To be kind is to be profitable, fit, good for any use, useful towards others, and good-natured. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit, (and fussiness and irritability are not).
3. Kindness wears down when we do.
Trials begin to wear us down, and resentment, bitterness, jealousy set in. When we are worn down and feeling overburdened, we are called to come to the One whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light or “kind.” When I am under pressure, I can ask God to show me what part of the yoke I am under is not from Him. When I am worn down, I need to be built-up in the Spirit. I will be edified by heart-to-heart contact with other believers I am free to be transparent with.
4. Kindness looks pain in the face.
I appreciate the grit of this one. Living out the law of kindness does not mean pretending that life this side of heaven is all “hunky dorey” (I’ve never tried to spell that expression before). It takes courage to look fully in the face of one who is suffering and be present with them. Job pleaded with his companions “be so kind now, as to look at me. Listen, don’t look away.” (Job 6:28). This kind of kindness will not require words, but offer presence.
5. Kindness is a Savior
Kindness took on flesh in Jesus Christ. Kindness in our human vessel cannot save: our job is only to point others to Him. When I find myself seeking to become anyone’s everything, I am seeking to be a false Christ.
6.Kindess has good memory.
It eagerly recounts the mighty works of God on my behalf, and celebrates them. It is expectant and hopeful concerning the future.
7. Kindness craves an outlet.
8. Kindness leaves a legacy.
To me, Beth Moore is a full-color example of a woman who is fully herself, while being fully in Christ. She has a childlike exuberance, abundant energy, passion for women to know Jesus, and does it all with a Texan twang. She is both refreshing and exhausting to listen to. She is courageous and outrageous, yet humble.
My prayer is that I would learn to open my mouth with wisdom, and that the law of kindness would be continually on my tongue.