Attitudes Worth Embracing

When I was growing up in my mother’s home, one of her regular sayings was, “It’s nice to be nice because God does not like ugly.” In Galatians, Scripture reminds us: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

The passage continues, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” My mother’s encouragement can be found clearly in Scripture, and this is only one example. There are many more passages that teach us how to become decent, welcoming, and gracious people.

As I look around at our political landscape, I am saddened by the messages people are sending to one another and around the world. I am reminded of the Scripture that says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” This phrase comes from Luke 6:45, where Jesus explains that a person’s speech and behavior reveal what is stored in the heart. A good person brings forth good words and deeds from the good treasure within, while an evil person brings forth evil from what is stored inside. In biblical terms, the heart includes not only emotions, but also the mind, will, and moral commitments—the source of our thoughts, desires, and actions.

As we read through these Scriptures, we find that they are packed with powerful meaning. Paul’s nine graces give us a sense of purpose and clarity. He could have stopped with love, but he went further, describing the full evidence of true transformation through Christ.