Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion - Empathy Helps in Christian Activities

Empathy Helps in Christian Activities

Few of us could disregard the plight of a starving child if we had food available to share with him.  If we have empathy, we will also discern a person's spiritual condition.  The Bible relates about Jesus:  "On seeing the crowds he felt pity for them, because  they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36) Millions today are in a similar condition, and they need help.  (Of course, some do not realize they need help)

As in Jesus' day, we may have to overcome prejudice or ingrained tradition to reach the hearts of some people.  The empathetic minister endeavors to find common ground or to speak about subjects that are on the minds of people in order  to make his message more appealing.  (Acts 17:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 9:20-23)  Acts of kindness  motivated by empathy can also make our listeners more receptive to the Kingdom message, as was true in the case of  the  Philippian jailer.

Empathy is invaluable in helping us overlook the failings of others within the congregation. If we endeavor to understand the feelings of a brother who has offended us, we will doubtless find it much easier to forgive him.  Possibly we would have reacted in the same way had we been in the same situation and had we had his background.  Jehovah's empathy moves him to 'remember that we are dust,' so should not our empathy motivate us to make allowances for the imperfections of others and to 'forgive them freely'? -Psalm 103:14; Colossians 3:13.

If we have to give counsel, we will probably do so in a much kinder way if we comprehend the feelings and sensitivities of the one who has erred.  The empathetic Christians elder reminds himself:  "I too could have made this mistake. I could be in his situation.'  Paul thus recommends:  "Try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted." -Galatians 6:1

Empathy can also impel us to offer practical help if it lies within our power to do so, even though a fellow Christian may be reluctant to ask for it.  The apostle Paul writes: "Whoever has this world's means for supporting life and beholds  his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way does the love of God remain in him?  . . . Let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth." -1 John 3:17, 18.

In order  to live "in deed and truth," we first need to see our brother's p;articular needs.  Do we observe carefully the needs of others with a view to helping them?  That is what empathy is all about. 

Next time: Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion -Cultivate Fellow Feeling

The Watchtower, 2002