Be Nice to everyone

by David J. Stewart

The great man of God and pastor, Dr. Jack Hyles, used to have a morning radio broadcast in the greater Chicago-land area.  He was Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana for forty-two faithful years before he went on to be with the Lord at age 74.  He was a soul-winner if ever there was one.  He taught his people to be soul-winners, as well as a nation.  Countless millions of people will walk the golden streets of Heaven because of his ministry. 

While listening to his broadcast, I would always hear Brother Hyles end his program with the same statement, “BE GOOD TO EVERYBODY, BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS HAVING A TOUGH TIME.”  Though the radio broadcast was discontinued years ago, I often remember those words of wisdom spoken by the man of God.  You can hear Brother Hyles make this statement in his classic sermon titled, “BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER.”

“If you ever got to know the blessing of sharing and of giving and of being kind to people, you'd never want to hurt anyone again.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a quote from the MP3 sermon titled: "Be Ye Kind One To Another.”

It is so easy to get upset at others because of the things they say and do.  We often fail to realize that they have problems just as much as we do.  I learned years ago that many people get upset because of the problems in their own lives, not necessarily something I said or did.   As Brother Hyles always taught, we should try to look at people as “broken,” rather than “bad.”  You wouldn’t throw an expensive watch away if it broke—sadly, we’re often quick to throw away people in our lives.  “The Christian army is the only army in the world that slays it's wounded” —Brother Hyles.  If the Believer will learn to look beyond the immediate negative circumstances (words/actions) and consider what the other person may be going through in their own personal life—it will be much easier to be nice to people.  This frame of mind must be developed, it won’t just happen.  Everybody has problems, concerns, worries, frustrations, pet-peeves, faults, weaknesses, etc.  We must keep this in mind.

Cold-hearted verses Tender-hearted

Now let’s turn to a wonderful Bible passage in Ephesians chapter four. “And be ye KIND one to another, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).   Oh how Believers need to obey ALL of the Word of God!  The same God that commands us not to steal, lie, murder and commit adultery also commands us to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving towards others.  This just may be one of the most neglected Scriptures in the entire Bible.

So many people have become cold-hearted nowadays.  Jesus predicted why in Matthew 24:12, “And because INIQUITY (sin) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”  It is sin that makes the heart grow cold and calloused.  In this modern high-tech society in which we live—sin is everywhere we look.  Sin makes society cold and heartless. “...Sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverb 14:34).  As Believers, we should purpose in our hearts not to fall into the devil’s pitfall of being cold-hearted, calloused and indifferent. I have known several Christians who have become critical and bitter for one reason or another—this is sin.  We have no right to mistreat others because of those who have hurt us.  No one has a right to yell at another human being.  No one has a right to hit another human being. Some people think they can do as they please—this is a terribly wrong attitude. Two wrongs don’t make a right!  Though we sometimes get upset, we must keep our eyes on Jesus—not people.  People will let us down again and again.  If I only watched people, I would have quit a long time ago.  We must stay close to Jesus and the Word of God.

We must treat others with dignity and respect.  So many people are rude, unkind and impatient with others—this should not be so with a Child of God.  Listen once more to the Word of God, “SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN, to be no brawlers, but GENTLE, SHEWING ALL MEEKNESS (mildness) unto all men” (Titus 3:2).  We are to be kind and friendly to all people, never slandering or criticizing anyone—this is one of the biggest sins we commit as humans.  We are commanded to be KIND, GENTLE, FORGIVING and TENDERHEARTED to others.  It is a sin to blow up on people in anger.  It is a sin to call people names.  It is a sin not to forgive.  It is a sin to be cold-hearted.  As Believers, our hearts are to be tender to the Holy Spirit’s voice. We are to pray for one another and show mutual respect for each other.  There are no “big shots” in heaven my friend—only little shots.  All is level at the foot of the cross.

Guilt and low self-esteem

May I also say, learn to be nice to yourself.  Seriously, so many people punish and give-up on themselves.  Would you treat other people the way you treat yourself?  In many cases, we are more understanding with complete strangers than we are with ourselves.  Artists especially are prone to be their own hardest critics.  I know an artist, a very good one at that.  I have collected many of her of masterpieces out of the garbage can because she thought they were terrible.  Talent can be our enemy if we're not careful.  Many famous and talented people have commit suicide.  Oftentimes, we are too hard on ourselves.  Sometimes people hate themselves for things that are beyond their control.   You shouldn't feel guilty about things you have little or no control over.  Accept who God made you for and find your gifts in life within the framework of who God made you.  You were validated the day you were born friend, you need not be accepted by anyone to have self-worth.   You are someone to God, He thought you were worth creating didn't He?  he died on the cross for you didn't He?  he sure did!  Friend, love yourself for who God made you.  It doesn't matter what others say, God created you in His own divine image.  

Friend, perhaps you feel like your not where you should be in life.  Perhaps you feel like you have so little to offer the Lord.  Let me remind you that God wants to use you just as you are.  God asked Moses, "What is that in thine hand?"  All God needed to deliver Israel from Egypt was Moses' rod.  Don't be discouraged, simply give what little you may have to God.  God can use any crooked stick that is yielded to Him.  Focus on what you have, not upon what you don't have.  God wants to use what you already possess.  Love your self because God loves you.  Once you learn to love yourself, you will be able to truly love others with a Godly love.  You'll become a tender-hearted person, kind and forgiving.  Most cold-hearted and mean people are that way because their miserable in life.  They take out their problems on the people around them.  This is a horrible sin. 

Brother Hyles was once in a restaurant eating breakfast.  The waitress treated him poorly and basically ignored him.  When his meal was over, he began to leave.  As he was leaving, the waitress called to him and said, "Mister, you left your change on the table, there's a $10 bill here."  Brother Hyles asked her, "Don't they give tips here?"  She began to cry and tell him of her family problems.  Brother Hyles told her about the Lord.  What a wonderful story!  I try to think of this often when I am mistreated by some crabby waitress or mean person behind the cash register.  We must be nice to everybody, because everybody is having a rough time.  

Kindest regards, David