“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV)
Have you ever been faced with the decision to help someone who hurt you deliberately? Probably a co-worker who took credit for a project you spent sleepless nights on. Or that person who decided to tarnish your reputation because you chose to walk away from the relationship. It is tempting to repay them for what they did, but as a child of God, you are called to a higher standard. The Spirit in you compels you to respond like Christ would, not because they deserve it.
That is what goodness is all about. Goodness is not just about being polite or nice, but it is the character of God reflected in you. God is good (Psalm 100:5), and when His Spirit dwells in you, He produces that same nature in you that causes you to do what is right even when it is hard.
As a believer, you’re not called to be good only to those who are good to you. You are called to a higher standard, to love those who hurt you, and to do good to others without expectations (Luke 6:35). To be led by the Spirit means to respond with goodness, not just out of emotion, but out of conviction and obedience.
Goodness is revealed in how you treat others, not just when it’s convenient but especially when it costs you something. It is seen in how you forgive, how you speak, and how you serve others. Sometimes, goodness means giving without being noticed, serving without being thanked, and helping even when it feels undeserved.
Ultimately, your ability to walk in goodness is rooted in God’s goodness toward you. He did not save you because of your works, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:4-5). If your Father is good and you carry His Spirit, then goodness must overflow from you. So even in moments of betrayal or opposition, God’s goodness must be your example (Romans 12:21).
Dear believer, goodness is not a suggestion, but it’s proof of a life led by the Holy Spirit. Let your actions reflect God’s nature, let your words build others up and let your choices reveal the presence of God’s Spirit within you.
Bible Reading Plan: Esther 7-10; Luke 21.34; 22:23