When Denis started his candy company in an economically depressed neighborhood, a potential investor asked about his rate of “churn.” Churn is how many employees quit because they hate their job. “Not one person,” Denis said. The investor was surprised. But Denis’ low churn described the workplace he’d set out to build—a kind place where he’d learned everyone’s name, greeted each worker every workday, and ensured all felt seen and valued. He’d created an atmosphere where “everybody felt recognized, safe, and respected.”
His commitment to creating a kind workplace isn’t unlike the harmony the apostle Peter urged believers in Jesus to live out in our homes, churches, and communities. “All of you,” he wrote, should “be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:8-9).
This instruction was sent to first-century church members scattered throughout Asia Minor, where persecution, put-downs, and poor treatment of believers in Jesus were common. But in response, “repay evil with blessing” and “seek peace and pursue it” (vv. 9-11), said Peter.
In a world where online anger, workplace wrath, road rage, political fury, and family flare-ups seem sadly common, we can ask God to tone down any rage within us. As believers in Christ, His Spirit can fill us with His love and light.
When are you tempted to react with rage or evil actions?
How can you offer kindness instead?
Please help me show Your compassion, loving God, and soften any rage within me.
Peter’s call to kindness in 1 Peter 3:8-9 is a call to Christlikeness. An examination of the life of Jesus in the Gospels shows that He epitomized what we see here. The five characteristics listed in verse 8 are beneficial individually and collectively: “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble” (the message). Paul writes something similar in Ephesians 4:31-32 but reverses Peter’s pattern. He begins with what not to do before listing positive encouragement: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Included in both passages is the word compassionate from the Greek word eusplagchnos, which means “well-compassioned” and “tenderhearted.” Kind actions are rooted in a kind heart. In our interactions with others, God can help us react with kindness instead of anger.
For additional reflection, read: The Marks of Real Love.
