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I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;\xa0apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants\u2026 Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG)

\u2026a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG)

I could go on. This isn\u2019t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God\u2019s kingdom. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG)

In our world we don\u2019t have a BEHAVIOR problem\u2026 we have a HEART problem.\xa0

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,\xa0gentleness, and self-control\u2026 Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT)

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.\xa0 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit\u2019s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT)

Message Title:\xa0 \u201cThe Filter of Kindness\u201d

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,\xa0set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.\xa0 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.\xa0 For you died,\xa0and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV)

1. Our Attitude

Therefore, as God\u2019s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,\xa0gentleness and patience.\xa0Colossians 3:12-17(NIV)

Bear with each other\xa0and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.\xa0 And over all these virtues put on love,\xa0which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV)

Let the peace of Christ\xa0rule in your hearts\u2026\xa0And be thankful\u2026\xa0 Let the message of Christ\xa0dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another\u2026 Colossians 3:12-17(NIV)

And whatever you do,\xa0whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks\xa0to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV)

\u201cYour problem is now your problem.\xa0 Your problem is the way you are acting because of your problem.\u201d -\xa0 Joyce Meyer

Doing what you don\u2019t feel like doing is how you build Godly Character in your life.

1. Our Interactions

A good tree can\u2019t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can\u2019t produce good fruit.\xa0 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.\xa0Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT)

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT)

God never intended for His characteristics in your life to be contingent on how people treat you\u2026 but for how you treat people to be contingent on His characteristics in your life.

You, therefore, have no excuse,\xa0you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.\xa0Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

Now we know that God\u2019s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.\xa0 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God\u2019s judgment?\xa0Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

Or do you show contempt for the riches\xa0of his kindness,\xa0forbearance\xa0and patience,\xa0not realizing that God\u2019s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

God never asks something from us that he does not first demonstrate to us. \xa0

1. Our Influence

Kindness is a SPIRITUAL tool, that creates HUMAN productivity.

A gentle answer\xa0turns away wrath,\xa0but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

You can disagree with someone... And still be kind to them.

Don\u2019t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.\xa0 Love each other with genuine affection,\xa0and take delight in honoring each other\u2026\xa0Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Bless those who persecute you. Don\u2019t curse them; pray that God will bless them.\xa0 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. \xa0Live in harmony with each other. Don\u2019t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don\u2019t think you know it all! Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.\xa0 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, \u201cI will take revenge;\xa0I will pay them back,\u201d\xa0says the\xa0Lord. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Instead, \u201cIf your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.\xa0 In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.\u201d Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Don\u2019t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

Could it be that the influence you want to see, is just behind the Kindness you need to show?

Because we LOVE unconditionally, have the inner strength of JOY and PEACE, and we choose to exercise our PATIENCE\u2026 we can in every situation be KIND to the world around us.

Then Jesus said,\xa0\u201cCome to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.\xa0 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)