A Short Bible Study on Empathy

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute devotion Lack of Empathy.

 

Lack of empathy is a growing problem in our world. It's becoming more and more normal for people to focus on themselves without consideration for others. No wonder we see so much brokenness in marriage, family, and workplace relationships.

In contradiction to culture, God has always emphasized empathy and consideration (Philippians 2:3-4; Galatians 6:2-3).

Let's take a look at some other Scriptures on this subject:

1. Romans 12:15: "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."

Jealousy and selfishness keep some people from rejoicing with those who rejoice. And self-righteousness or disinterest lead keep people from comforting those who are going through difficulties.

See Job's Judgmental Friends and Rejoice and Mourn.

Sometimes we have empathy for our friends who are suffering, but we don't know how to comfort them. These 1-minute devotions can help: She Didn't Know What to Say, 3 Ways to Comfort, and Think Inside the Box.

2. Galatians 5:14: For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

This passage is similar to the old adage that tells us not to judge others until we Walk a Mile in their Moccasins. This doesn't mean that we must experience the exact situation to empathize with others, but we must at least try to imagine how we might feel in the same situation.

3. 1 Peter 3:8: Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 

We need to be sensitive to other people's needs, stresses, responsibilities, and weaknesses. 

Empathy is the "Golden Rule" attitude that helps us share and understand the feelings of others. For example, a good parent thinks about how they would feel if they were their child, and they punish their child appropriately and lovingly. A good adult child thinks how they would feel if they were their parents, and they treat their parents with the respect and attention they would want from their grown children.

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2026

 

 

Choices Dramatically Impact Our Lives

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction:

Culture Loves Choices. God Loves Truth.

We can be so grateful that our God makes it clear that some choices are wrong and harmful and some are right and helpful. 

His commands protect our hearts and souls.

1. The following passages offer Biblical insights on choice:

Bad choices are often based on occult, worldly, or selfish desires.

Joshua 24:15: “If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” NLT   

Bad choices often seem right because they are self-serving.

Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” NIV  

Bad choices are often based on jealousy and personal attempts to promote ourselves at another person's expense as Cain did to Abel.

Genesis 4:6-7: “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” ESV  

Bad choices are part of our fallen human nature that opposes God. Wise choices are part of our renewal in Christ and our understanding that all of His commands are loving, purposeful, and helpful.

John 14:21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” ESV

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2026 

Dealing Biblically With Narcissist Sins

Please read the one-minute devotion 8 Narcissist Problems as an introduction to this study.  

Many people think of narcissists as unpopular and lacking charm. Not true. Some studies show that narcissists can be very popular, especially among those who don't know them well. They typically exude confidence and are skilled at manipulating people. But the more time spent with one, the clearer it becomes that the relationship is one-sided and unhealthy. 

1. A defining quality of narcissists is their lack of empathy.

Narcissists are so self-absorbed that they lose their ability to see things from the other person's perspective. 

They say rude things to others, but scrutinize and criticize what others say. They expect people to sympathize with their difficulties, but they are unconcerned if others are suffering. They judge people harshly, but they judge themselves leniently, if at all. If they apologize for something (which is rare), it's always accompanied by an excuse. See That's Just the Way I Am and Self-Defense. 

They expect special treatment for themselves but they're able to hurt others without remorse. 

Lack of empathy used to be a rare problem, but our culture's focus on self-esteem has changed that: "70 percent of students today score higher on narcissism and lower on empathy than did the average student thirty years ago." (source)

A narcissist may not have every characteristic described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, but this passage is a good list of narcissistic character traits. And note this important point: many of them "have a form of godliness." They are in our churches. Some are immature Christians who need to submit to God's commands. Others are weeds among us.

2 Timothy 3:1-5: But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.  ~Amplified Bible

Note: This passage addresses adults, so it may seem out of place to say they were "disobedient" to parents because adults are no longer required to obey parents. But the idea of the Greek word is a rejection of things which God prefers, so in this case it would be a rejection of God’s principles about honoring and respecting parents. As Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains, “This expresses the idea that they did not show to parents that honor, respect, and attention which was due.”   

Ironically, in our modern culture, there is increasing estrangement between parents and adult children. And in most cases it's the adult children initiating it. The secular psychology of Boundaries has been cleverly repackaged as Christian when it actually contradicts many Bible passages regarding forgiveness, reconciliation, honoring parents, etc. See Are Henry Cloud's Boundaries Teachings Biblical? for more on this sad false teaching. 

2. We must sincerely, deliberately, proactively seek to recognize and overcome our narcissistic tendencies.

It's easier to excuse "little things" we do than confess and repent of them.

Jeremiah 17: 9-10: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”  

Proverbs 28:26: Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

But we have this beautiful promise that narcissists never enjoy: 

1 John 1:9-10: If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 10 If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us. ~ Amplified Bible

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated and edited in 2025 

Note: There is a Narcissistic Personality Disorder defined by psychologists, but this Bible study focuses on narcissism in general. 

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