There is no biblical usage of the word, “nice”, yet most Christians think this is what a Christian should be. In fact, most people, Christian and non-christian alike, think this is one of the most important virtues to strive for to be thought of as a good person. So since no one seems pressed to define what “nice” means, we can infer what they mean by examples of what most people would characterize as being nice:

  1. Do not confront anybody by saying anything negative to their face.
  2. Say things you really don’t mean to make the other person feel better about themselves.
  3. Say things in general terms so people cannot understand the details of your inferences. That way you can deny anything they interpret as criticism.
  4. Do not write down anything that can be challenged. That way, if you are challenged on what you said, you can deny that’s what you said or meant.
  5. Be politically-correct: Do not bring up subjects that might lead to arguments or debates.
  6. Your words and actions should be based on how others will react to them,.
  7. Be popular, and be virtuous if virtuosity coincides with being popular.

Being nice is really an exhortation to be a hypocrite in many cases to avoid confrontation or being misunderstood. Interesting how the word, “genteel”, which is associated with the word, “gentile” comes into play here. It is the characteristic of pagan societies to exalt the “let be and let me be” philosophy on how members of society are to get along with each other. Pagan societies have always been characterized by high levels of mutual toleration and acceptance so that a superficial type of peace can be prolonged between individual members of that society as each seeks to tolerate the behavioral differences of each other, never subjecting these behavioral patterns to any type of absolute standard of right and wrong. Hence, nice people make good, genteel, pagans.

Was Jesus nice? Was Paul nice? Was James nice? Jesus always challenged people which made many people dislike Him (John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.). Paul was not a pleaser of men, as can be seen by his condemnation of false teachers (Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed). James was very critical of Christians who were compromising with the world (James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God).

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