The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams continues his series on the fruit of the Spirit with a conversation about kindness, joined by guest Billy McGuiggan. They begin by reflecting on Galatians 5, emphasizing that the fruit of the Spirit is a single unified work of God, not separate traits we manufacture ourselves. Billy explains that walking in step with the Spirit means surrendering daily to God’s will over our own, nurturing a genuine relationship with Him that empowers kindness and other Spirit-produced qualities.

The discussion explores how kindness differs from mere niceness. They stress that kindness isn’t just about what we say or do, but how we say and do it—whether people can truly sense God’s love in us. Billy notes that non-Christians may display kindness through God’s common grace, but Spirit-empowered kindness is distinct because it endures even when we are tired, angry, or worn thin.

Throughout the conversation, Billy shares personal experiences of being treated unkindly by fellow Christians and how those moments shaped his commitment to always respond with kindness, especially toward sinners and the hurting. He stresses that kindness should disarm rather than provoke defensiveness, pointing people toward God rather than pushing them away. The two men agree that living in step with the Spirit creates a better world—one marked by kindness instead of division—and Christians are called to start building that Spirit-shaped world here and now, as a foretaste of what’s coming in the new creation.

Links and Resources:

* Freed-Hardeman University: https://fhu.edu/mba

* Logos Free Trial: Logos.com/radicallychristian

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