Kindness is a beautiful reflection of God’s love, and as Christians, we’re called to show it to others.
But let’s be honest: being kind isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels like our kindness is overlooked, or worse, taken for granted. It can leave you wondering, How can I be kind without feeling used?
The Bible provides wisdom to help us balance compassion with discernment. These verses remind us that kindness doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries — it’s about showing love while staying grounded in truth.
Here are 8 Bible verses to guide you in extending kindness in ways that honor both God and yourself, ensuring your love shines brightly without compromising your well-being.
1. Proverbs 25:21-22 – Kindness as a transformative force
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
This verse presents kindness as a transformative force, powerful enough to change enmity into friendship.
However, note that it doesn’t advise us to allow ourselves to be harmed or mistreated. Instead, we are called to respond with kindness even when faced with hostility.
This doesn’t mean tolerating abusive behavior. Rather, it’s about maintaining our integrity and demonstrating God’s love in all circumstances.
The metaphor of heaping “burning coals” on someone’s head symbolizes the potential of kindness to lead others to self-reflection and change.
Speaking to the reward from the Lord, this suggests that our kindness does not go unnoticed or unrewarded by God, even when humans may take advantage of it.
2. Matthew 5:39 – Turning the other cheek
Matthew 5:39 states:
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
At a first glance, this verse might seem to encourage passivity in the face of mistreatment. But let’s delve deeper.
This verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He presents a radical new way of living that challenges societal norms.
Jesus isn’t advocating for a literal interpretation here. He’s not suggesting that you should allow yourself to be physically abused or taken advantage of.
“Turning the other cheek” is about refusing to retaliate with hatred or malice. Instead, we’re called to respond with grace and forgiveness, mirroring God’s unconditional love.
But remember, there’s a difference between forgiving and enabling harmful behavior.
We can forgive someone while still taking steps to protect ourselves.
3. Romans 12:18 – Striving for peace
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
This verse encourages us to strive for peaceful interactions with others, but it also acknowledges a crucial reality – not every situation is within our control.
It’s important to notice the wording here. I
t doesn’t blindly instruct us to maintain peace at all costs. Instead, it calls us to do our part in promoting peace, “as far as it depends on you.”
This implies that while we should strive for harmony, we’re not responsible for others’ actions or reactions. Sometimes, despite our best efforts to show kindness, others may still choose to mistreat or take advantage of us.
In such cases, this verse doesn’t suggest that we should continue tolerating such behavior for the sake of peace. Instead, it recognizes that we can only control our own actions and responses.
4. Romans 12:21 – Choosing love over revenge
When we feel taken advantage of, it’s not uncommon to want to get even.
But Romans 12:21 teaches us a different path. It says:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse reminds us that we have a choice in how we respond when we are wrong. We can either let it consume us, or we can choose to respond with kindness and love.
Choosing the latter doesn’t mean allowing others to continue taking advantage of you. It means setting clear boundaries while maintaining your integrity and kindness.
Keep this verse in mind the next time you’re faced with a tough situation.
It’ll provide the strength and guidance needed to react with grace, even when the going gets rough.
5. Matthew 7:6 – Discerning the value of kindness
Have you ever felt like your kindness was being wasted on those who didn’t appreciate it?
Matthew 7:6 cautions us:
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
This verse is a clear call for discernment in our acts of kindness.
Jesus uses strong metaphors to convey the idea that not everyone will value or respect our kindness.
The reference to “pearls” symbolizes something of great value, akin to our kindness and love. And just like precious pearls, our kindness should not be carelessly given to those who would only trample upon it.
It’s crucial to understand that this verse doesn’t contradict the principle of showing kindness to all.
Rather, it reminds us that while we are called to be kind, we should also be wise and discerning in how and where we invest our kindness.
Quick reflection: It’s worth asking ourselves if there are situations where we’re “throwing pearls to pigs” – extending kindness without due discernment, only to be hurt in return.
6. Proverbs 19:11 – The power of patience and forgiveness
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:1 shows us the importance of patience and forgiveness when dealing with others. It points out that these virtues are a reflection of our wisdom and understanding.
The ability to overlook an offense is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of strength and maturity. It’s about maintaining our peace and not allowing others’ actions to disturb our equilibrium.
Here are key takeaways from this verse:
- Patience is a sign of wisdom
- Forgiving offenses can be seen as an act of personal glory
- Maintaining peace is more important than retaliating
However, overlooking an offense doesn’t mean that we allow continuous harmful behavior. There’s a difference between forgiving someone and allowing them to repeatedly hurt us without consequences.
This verse encourages us to show patience and forgiveness, but it also implies the importance of wisdom and discernment in our interactions with others.
7. Galatians 6:9 – The virtue of perseverance
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We’ve all had moments where we question whether our acts of kindness are worth it, especially when they’re met with indifference or even hostility.
I find this verse a powerful reminder to persevere in doing good, despite the challenges.
Specifically, the phrase “at the proper time” suggests that the fruits of our kindness may not always be immediate or visible. But just because we don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean they’re not there.
To me, it’s particularly comforting that the verse assures us we will “reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It suggests that our kindness is not in vain, and it can have a profound impact over time.
So, let’s take heart and continue to show kindness, even when it’s difficult.
Let’s remember that our acts of kindness carry value beyond what we can see or measure in the present moment.
8. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Defining love and kindness
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Whenever I read this beautiful verse, I dream about a world where everyone lives out the principles outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
This passage gives us a comprehensive definition of love and kindness. It emphasizes patience, humility, honor, truth, protection, trust, hope, and perseverance.
But what stands out to me here is the phrase “it is not self-seeking.” This implies that true love and kindness consider the well-being of others without neglecting our own.
The phrase “it always protects” also suggests that love involves setting boundaries to protect both ourselves and others from harm.
So, while we’re encouraged to be patient and kind, we’re also reminded to guard against harmful or exploitative situations.
Love doesn’t require us to neglect our own needs or allow ourselves to be taken advantage of. Rather, it calls for a balanced approach where we care for others while also caring for ourselves.
Final thoughts
We’ve explored seven Bible verses that guide us in showing kindness without being taken advantage of. These verses have underscored the importance of love, patience, forgiveness, and discernment in our interactions with others.
It’s clear that the Bible calls us to be kind, but it also reminds us to protect our well-being. It teaches us that we can be loving and compassionate without tolerating abuse or exploitation.
The challenge now is to apply these principles in our everyday life. It’s about finding the balance between showing kindness and maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Reflect on these verses
- Ask for wisdom in applying them
- Pray for strength to show kindness even when it’s difficult
Ultimately, our goal should be to reflect God’s love in all we do, while also taking care of ourselves.
May these verses guide and inspire you as you strive to live out this balance!
Related Stories from Bible Scripture
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.