Goodness

Goodness is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and as such is an important Christian value. This value requires a Christian to know what is good, to yearn for goodness and to love it, and ultimately to live a life of goodness.

To know what is good requires wisdom and discernment or otherwise advice and guidance. It is necessary to know what is good because many sin due to a lack of knowledge or because they make the wrong decisions. The knowledge of good is not enough. We need to want to do good so that we may live a life of goodness. But if we insist on doing wrong and living in sin then goodness will be far from us. Sometimes our desires lead us in the wrong way with harmful consequences for us and at times for those around us. The Holy Bible teaches us “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5). And so let us be honest with ourselves and turn away from sin and wrongful desires. Let us repent and choose goodness. Let us pursue goodness with our minds and our hearts. Christians believe that with wisdom, they should “walk in the way of goodness” as the Bible tells them to in Proverbs 2: 20. It is a life long walk in the way of goodness which involves growth. It involves an inner struggle against temptation and selfishness until the love of goodness becomes a part of our nature. For many this is a gradual process that needs time, continual repentance and the grace of God.

Furthermore, it isn’t enough that what we do is good but the means that we achieve the Christian value of goodness must also be good. For example we must use love and kindness to achieve good. The Holy Bible tells us, “Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) and not only that but our goodness should be “done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3 : 13). For example, Bible teaches us that “If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.” (Galatians 6:1). So in achieving goodness our means must also be kind and gentle, loving, quiet and humble with spiritual wisdom. The wise chooses the right means for his or her good deeds.