Rethinking Kindness, Strength, Humility, and the Fruit of the Spirit with Tuck Knupp

In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy Thompson is joined by pastor and longtime ministry leader Tuck Knupp for a thoughtful conversation on kindness. Drawing from a men’s Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit, they explore how kindness is often misunderstood as niceness or weakness, when in reality it is rooted in strength, humility, and generosity of spirit. Together, they discuss kindness in relationships, leadership, work, self-reflection, and even cultural and political discourse. The conversation challenges listeners, especially men, to grow in kindness by embracing humility, receiving God’s kindness personally, and allowing that transformation to shape how they live, lead, and relate to others, particularly during the Christmas season. Key Takeaways- Kindness is not the same as niceness, it is rooted in strength and truth- True kindness requires humility and an honest view of our own brokenness- Kindness reflects a generosity of spirit that believes the best about others- Protecting someone’s reputation is a powerful expression of kindness- Kindness should extend to work, home, relationships, and public discourse- Receiving God’s kindness fuels compassion toward others- Self-kindness is essential for growth and freedom from performance- Kindness may lose short-term battles but can win long-term warsTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Kindness05:09 Reframing Kindness Beyond Niceness11:22 The Strength and Truth Within Kindness18:23 Growing in Kindness Through Humility25:36 Kindness in Relationships and Self-Compassion32:09 Reflecting on Kindness During Christmas36:20 Kindness in Society, Culture, and Politics45:42 A Challenge to Men47:11 Final Reflections and ClosingLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org