THE REASON NICENESS ISN’T A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT…

Have you ever noticed how little the bible says about being NICE?

Does God ever tell us to be nice? To the contrary, the bible says be careful when men speak well of you…thats being nice.

Luke 6:26  (NKJV)

26 Woe to you[a] when all[b] men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

The bible speaks of men flattering and blessing with their mouths but, hiding what’s in their hearts.

Psalm 5:9 (NKJV)

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.

Psalm 62:4New King James Version (NKJV)

4 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. 

That’s being nice.

There’s a reason that being nice isn’t a fruit of the spirit. The devil knows how to be ‘nice’…

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV)

14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. However, kindness is an outward expression of love. It’s doing what best for others with a sincere heart, even if it’s uncomfortable to them.

Telling someone that they acted foolishly may not seem nice, but it is kind. Giving loving constructive criticism may not be nice, but it’s kind. Disciplining a child, (or adult) may not be nice, but it’s kind.

Here’s how I put it…

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Being NICE is being good with a personal agenda.

Being KIND is being good with God’s agenda.

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Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

BE BLESSTIFIED!