More than Nice: Kind Like Christ

Today, we often confuse kindness with being nice (in Latin, nice means ignorant) or being highly tolerant toward all sorts of things. Before we engage in casual or formal conversation, we should be kind with our words. Sadly, this behavior has led us to be fake and cowardly. The way our culture defines kindness differs from its description in the Bible.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul identifies kindness as a virtue that results from the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person. It is not merely a trait but a sign of spiritual maturity and God’s presence in one’s life. Kindness in Hebrew is called “hesed” which is the lovingkindness and commitment to His people, even when they stray from Him. In Greek, kindness chrēstotēs, means goodness, uprightness, and honesty. It was the lovingkindness of God that grafted the Gentile believers into the olive tree. In reflecting on this, Paul encourages us to be kind (Romans 11:22).

As God’s image-bearers, we are called to reflect His kindness through our lives. His kindness moves us to care for and tend to others. A powerful example of this is found in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Despite being considered an outcast, the Samaritan showed compassion when he saw a wounded man who had been robbed. He picked him up, brought him to safety, ensured he received medical attention, and paid for his care. Jesus praised this act of mercy and encouraged us to show the same kind of compassion to those in need.

Furthermore, God’s kindness moves us to be upright and forgiving. For it is not a weakness but a strength of God’s Spirit. For example, David was repeatedly harassed, chased, and almost fatally attacked by Saul on several occasions. But when he found Saul in a weakened state, he spared his life, stating, “the Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” (1 Sam. 24:6). Thus, kindness leads us to forgive our enemies, especially when we have the opportunity to get even with them.

Kindness also makes us honest. In 2 Timothy 4:3, Paul writes, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” This is a sad reality, as we live in a culture where we cannot call sin—sin, nor can we call abomination-abomination. We cannot discuss difficult issues without apologizing, tailoring our words, or heavily censoring ourselves. If we do, we risk losing friendships and family or being canceled.

But is silence always kind? Would a doctor be unkind to provide the correct diagnosis for life-saving treatment? Would a mother be unkind to prevent her baby from touching fire or a knife? True kindness speaks the truth for the good of others, even when it’s uncomfortable. Jesus modeled this when He spoke with the Samaritan woman—He revealed the truth about her sinful life, to lead her to freedom. In response, she ran to the town and exclaimed, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29). Jesus was not nice, but His honesty, rooted in love, brought transformation. This is the power of kindness that tells the truth.

True kindness is not passive or fearful of discomfort; it is active and courageous, grounded in truth. It does not please others, but genuinely seeks their good, sometimes through hard discussions, bold truths, or loving corrections. It mirrors God’s nature: abundant in grace yet rich in truth, which moves us to places, people, and events where our fallen humanity would not go. It fills our hearts with compassion, prompting us to act responsibly amid despair and animosity. As Christ’s followers, we cannot be superficially nice to avoid reality. Instead, we must embody kindness empowered by the Spirit that uplifts, convicts, restores, and directs others toward God. In a culture that often misinterprets kindness, may we distinguish ourselves through courage, compassion, and Christlike love.