Are you KIND or are you NICE???
I’ve learned that being kind and being nice are NOT the same… not even close actually.
Yet most of us conflate the two and use them interchangeably (I’m guilty of this) which is a disservice to ourselves.
Being nice isn’t even a good thing, once we understand the stark difference and comprehend the substance of both words we can understand God more & what He desires… causing appreciation to the significance & substance His WORDS truly bring.
✝️ “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
The word “kind” used in Ephesians is the word chrestos…
Kind/ chréstos: 1. properly, fit for use, useful, serviceable & productive; virtuous, good
2. manageable, i. e. mild, pleasant (opposed to harsh, hard, sharp, bitter)
When you are kind you are useful, competent, capable & well resourced.
Being kind is being useful, beneficial, and benevolent.
So, what is nice?? 🤡 🤡 🤡
The first 3 definitions of “nice” in Webster’s unabridged dictionary are very clear:
1. Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate.
2. of a trifling moment; unimportant; trivial.
3. Overly scrupulous (meticulous) or exacting (makes severe demands); hard to please or satisfy; fastidious (nit-picky) in small matters.
Check out the only verses in the Scriptures that speak of being a nice person….
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“How TERRIBLE it will be for you when everyone says nice things about you, because that’s the way their ancestors used to treat the FALSE PROPHETS!”
Luke 6:26
“For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say NICE things to you.”
Jeremiah 12:6
They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!” and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us NICE THINGS, relate deceptive messages.
Isaiah 30:10
People say nice things about people that say only what they want to hear… Not what they need to hear.
Jesus wasn’t nice, & people didn’t say nice things about Him, in fact people, “good” people in right standing with society wanted Him dead because He was so offensive…
Why?
Because humans have itching ears, we want to hear what’s nice and we despise, revolt against and abhor what is unpleasany true, & kind… The truth isn’t nice to the flesh… the Truth is music to the Spirit though.
Let’s not be nice, let’s be kind.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
1 Corinthians 13:4
