Being nice to everyone every second of the day sounds impossible. We're humans and there's no "nice" switch to always keep us in a good mood. It's reality. However, as Christians, when we talk to other people or even simply walk down the street and meet strangers, there's that belief that we must always be nice to everyone we see and meet. That's too much pressure, right? And if you're not being nice, other people will be quick to judge and say you're a hypocrite. If you've been wondering if Christians must always be nice to everyone, let's discuss that in more detail today.
Nice vs. Kind
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32
There's a difference between being nice and kind. When you're being nice, it simply means you're always smiling and always pleasant to different people. On the other hand, being kind is more than just a smiling face; it comes from the heart.
Certainly, there's no harm in trying to be nice to everyone. It won't be hard to flash a smile on your face when you're waiting in line for something. Little do you know that your smile is already helping people get through a tough day. However, if you're not in the mood to do so, don't force yourself. No need to feel guilty about it. The more important thing is that you try your best to be kind to everyone as much as possible.
Love Your Neighbors
One of the ten commandments was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It sounds a bit exhausting, doesn't it? It also sounded like you have to be best friends with everyone you meet. That is not the case at all.
God doesn't expect you to invite every friend you have over for a good meal. But what this "love" means is that you treat everyone with respect and generosity. The concept of being kind also comes into the picture here, because without genuine kindness, you won't be generous as well.
If you don't like someone or someone really annoys you, you don't have to force yourself to be his/her friend. However, the right thing to do is to avoid gossiping about the person, avoiding them, plotting against them, or instilling hatred in your heart toward this person. You can try to understand this person more and still be respectful and polite when he/she talks to you – this is already considered love.
The Takeaway
As a Christian, you are not expected to be perfect. As we all know, it is a struggle every day to be a Christian worthy of being God's child. Nonetheless, you still have the right to feel disappointed or angry. It doesn't make you less of a Christian if you feel negative emotions. You don't have to be nice to everyone and like them. But if you can, do so. The important thing you have to focus on is how to react when something bad happens or how to treat others with love and kindness. As much as possible, be gentle, be patient, be kind and good, practice self-control, and offer peace as these are the fruits of the Spirit.
