Kindness

Kill em’ with kindness’ is an old expression that I have heard all my life. Kill is not speaking, of course, of the body, but of an attitude. By being kind, perhaps we can change someone’s heart or anger. Showing anger to someone already angry or rude often backfires and things may get out of control. When we show kindness even though mistreated, oftentimes it changes that person’s heart.

Act of Kindness

II Kings 6 has a story of an act of kindness that definitely changed future events. I love to read of the prophet Elisha. God used him in a mighty way. The Syrians were waging war against Israel. Every move the Syrians made, the Israelites were prepared. The king of Syria learned that the prophet Elisha was warning the king of Israel. The Bible says the servants told the king of Syria, “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” So, the king sent his men to capture Elisha.

II Kings 6:18-20, NKJV, ““So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.”
‭‭“Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “ LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!”

Eyes Were Opened‭

When the men of Syria arrived, Elisha asked God to blind them. God did. So Elisha led the men to Samaria. God opened their eyes and they were in the enemy camp facing the king of Israel. I’m certain they were filled with terror and expected the worst. The king asked Elisha should he kill them.

II Kings 6:22-23, NKJV, “But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword or your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.”

It Was a Feast

Elisha instructed the king to feed them and send them home. He prepared a feast for them. The King didn’t give them a peanut and butter sandwich, it was a feast! He ‘killed ‘em with kindness’. They ate and drank food prepared by the enemy. ‭Then they were sent home. The last sentence reveals the result of this extraordinary kindness. The Syrian raiders came no more. They saw the kindness of the Israelites and because of this kindness their hearts changed.

Matthew 7:12a, AMP, “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”

Feast of Kindness

Jesus commands us to treat others the way we would like to be treated. Do you have a co-worker who is unkind or rude to you? Are there members in your church or neighborhood who snub you when you are around? Sometimes it might even be a family member. Whatever your differences, give it to God. Pray for them. Consider things you can do to prepare them a ‘feast’. The feast might be a kind word or a bouquet of flowers blooming in your yard. Just be kind. Smile and speak in kindness.

Be Kind in Love

The important thing is that it be done in love. Be genuine. You can’t? Ask God to give you the heart of love you need to be kind to someone. He will. Show love. Show Jesus in you.

Babbie Mason  Love is The More Excellent Way

Paula Wallace

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Additional Reading:

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2016/08/24/ii-kings-17-salad-bar-religion/

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