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:

"Value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others ... Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." 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 lack of concern keeps them from mourning with those who mourn. 

You might like to read the 1-minute devotion Romans 12:15: 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 and  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. 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 2021