Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Goodness is a word that we use in a lot of different ways, so it is little difficult to define. I had a good day is different than I had a good cry. We can move towards finding a definition by looking at how the word is used in the Bible.
In Genesis 1 God looks at all He has created and says, “It is good.”
Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day.
So, we might assume from that verse, that goodness is something that pleases God.
We also know from the Bible that God is good.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
What is it about God that is good? We know He is love, pure, holy, forgiving, generous and so much more. As His children, empowered by the Spirit, these characteristics should be true of us as well.
I think I have a definition that works well for goodness and allows us to live out ‘goodness’ in practical ways. Goodness is living by doing the next right thing.
What does goodness look like in our lives?
Doing what is best for others. This is what the Bible refers to as “good works or good deeds”. But in our culture, I would say that the prevailing attitude is more like “I’ll do what I think is right and what is in my own best interest!”
The Spirit produced fruit of goodness is the polar opposite of that cultural idea.
Romans 12:20 (NIV)
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
What is the goodness (next right thing) in this verse? Feeding the hungry and giving the thirsty something to drink.
And what is the awesome outcome?
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This amazing fruit of the Spirit, goodness, doing the next right thing, is the way to overcome evil.
Let’s add to love, joy, peace, patience and kindness – goodness (living by doing the next right thing).
Spend some time meditating on these verses:
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
