Did you know there is a difference between being nice and being kind? When you’re nice you tend to be really agreeable. It is a surface level action. When you’re kind you tend to be very genuinely compassionate at a deep level. Sometimes in an effort to not seem mean or offensive, people are too nice compromising their morality, godly integrity and their values. Though being kind means you may be compassionate and caring, but you don’t have to compromise your stance on such things. Jesus was always kind. Though He wasn’t always nice. He always showed compassion, but He did not tolerate things that went against God. He did not go out hurting others, but He did not agree just to be nice and save face or feelings. He stayed convicted to His purpose and what God instructed, but lovingly so. I know many people that in an effort to try to not seem mean, completely compromise their faith. They choose being agreeable, or nice, instead of staying convicted to their faith. Though the best way to love someone is not agreeing with someone if what they’re doing is a sin. It is loving them enough, to be kind enough, to show them God’s truth. Like correcting a child, sometimes we have to not be nice in their eyes, because we love them enough to correct them. We can still do so in a loving and kind manner. Friend, sometimes the truth hurts. Though the truth is always necessary. I want us all to walk with God, and we can’t do so if we’re too focused on being nice and not enough focused on being kind. I myself have been humbled. Wouldn’t you too rather be lovingly corrected in your sin, then continue to live in a way that puts a wedge in your relationship with God? Friend, we all fall short at times and we need to encourage one another in our walk with God. When we are given the option to just be nice and agreeable, may we choose to be bold with kindness, compassion, and love and correct each other when we fall short. I think of Jesus and how wonderful it must have been to sit with Him and be lovingly guided in God’s truth. For true kindness is a sure act of goodness and love. It is loving enough to spare feelings, to save a soul.

Erin Fitts-Brower

True kindness

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.