Stop making being nice, not wanting to upset or offend anyone your priority. Such is not Scriptural although it has been twisted and perverted to be understood as such. Being godly, being holy, being righteous, being wise spiritually, being a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, being a person after the heart of God the Father, God the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit has NOTHING to do with 20th and 21st-century philosophies, psychologies, dogmas, and worldly doctrines!

Do not confuse, pollute, or corrupt what godliness, holiness, righteousness is in the sigh of God, according to His Word compared to the world view and they translating these things into “being nice,” being “politically correct,” being “silent and holding one’s tongue in the face of evil,” and “not offending anyone”

Because of caring more about being liked than pleasing God.

Because of caring more for the approval of the world than pleasing God or living a godly life according to the Holy Bible. The inerrant living God-breathed words of God to man, woman, and child.

Stop adopting and practicing world wisdom which is foolishness.

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

1 Corinthians 3:19 — English Standard Version

Start learning, knowing, practicing, and making a part of daily life the wisdom of God.

Ask for it. Seek it. Believe it will be given.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8 — English Standard Version

And remove yourself from concern about being “nice” or “I don’t want to offend anyone,” or fitting into the world. Not standing out. Is that light unto the world? Being salt? Being separate from the world?

if we’re truly Jesus’ disciples? If we’re truly God’s children and not the children of the world, the children of disobedience? Then…

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…”

John 15:18-19 — English Standard Version

If we are not hated by those in and of the world, if we are not offending by our speech, what we write, how do we fashion ourselves? If we’re not liked, and not viewed as “nice” due to our making God the Father, God the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit, and the whole of the Word of God our priority then we aren’t His. We are not living as we ought, thinking as we ought.

Want to know what true love and truly “being nice” is?

Spreading the gospel. Planting the seeds of truth and salvation in the hearts and minds of those walking dead in their sin, in utter darkness. THAT is TRUE love, TRULY being as not as one possibly can be!

Can you not see?

Don’t reject wisdom. Seek and pray faithfully for it. Do not be concerned about being “nice” according to the worldview, or offending someone with the truth and the path to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Do not worry about offending with the whole truth of the Word of God.

Worry, if worry you must, about offending God. Falling short in the sight of God. Displeasing the Heavenly Father.

When Wisdom Is Rejected

If we fail to pursue learning and wisdom as we should (see A Godly Thirst for Learning), eventually it becomes unavailable. Or in terms of the picture in today’s reading: If we repeatedly reject wisdom’s invitation, we won’t be able to find it when we need it (v. 28).

A firm rebuke for wisdom’s unanswered invitation is found in verses 20–23. Instead of embracing learning, the “simple” have embraced foolishness and ignorance. They need to repent of this sin but haven’t done so (v. 23). Their refusal is detailed in verses 24–27. To reject wisdom’s invitation is instead to invite calamity. Foolish people will reap what they sow—”they will eat the fruit of their ways” (v. 31)—and when that happens, wisdom will laugh. This isn’t very “nice,” but it’s biblically fair. They had multiple opportunities but disregarded and disdained them.

The consequences are further explained in verses 28–33. The foolish will ultimately realize their need for wisdom and change their mind, but it will be too late. They failed to choose the fear of the Lord—a fundamental mistake. They could have lived in peace and safety (v. 33), but now, “The complacency of fools will destroy them” (v. 32). This is a scary warning. God is so merciful and gracious that sometimes we presume on Him. The lesson for us is obvious: Choose the fear of the Lord and the pursuit of wisdom before it’s too late!

If you’re looking for more on this topic, read about biblical wisdom in Proverbs 8. This is a good chapter to reflect on and pray over as we pursue God’s wisdom.

To fear You, Lord, is to hate evil, to hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech (Prov. 8:13). You brought forth wisdom as the first of Your works, before Your deeds of old (v. 22).