“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”— Colossians 3:12 (NIV).
Kindness in today’s world is often overshadowed by the negative around us. But, as God’s chosen people, we are called to “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12).
Ask yourself: Am I stirring the pot of unkindness prevalent in society today or am I seeking to uplift those around me with acts of kindness? As you ponder this question, let’s delve further into what it means to be kind.
Is being nice the same as being kind? We use them interchangeably but do they mean the same?
According to dictionary.com, “nice” is defined as “pleasing; agreeable; delightful,” while “kind” is defined as “having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence.” A “nice person” holds the door for others. So does a “kind person.” Both demonstrate consideration for others.
Kelly Shi with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics says, “Consider how holding the door for others can be described as either ‘nice’ or ‘kind.’ If the underlying motivation is to create a favorable impression for the purpose of asking for a favor later, then the action can be considered nice due to its pleasing effect, but not kind without a sense of benevolence. Conversely, if the motivation is to spare the other person from extra effort or inconvenience, then the action can be considered kind, as well as nice if it pleases the other person. After all, pleasing others and benevolence do not have to be mutually exclusive.”
An example of nice vs. kind can be found in Galatians 4:17-18. After hearing the Galatians had been duped by false teachers, the Apostle Paul writes a letter to point out the truth. “Those false teachers who are so anxious to win your favor are not doing it for your good. What they are trying to do is to shut you off from me so that you will pay more attention to them. It is a fine thing when people are nice to you with good motives and sincere hearts, especially if they aren’t doing it just when I am with you!” Paul was pointing to the motives of the Judaizers.
SOURCE: Assist News
All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source