Developing Empathy in Relationships
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1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
:
8 You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
What is empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and participate in the suffering of others.
What example should we follow to be empathetic?
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:
The Greek word for sympathize is sympatheo. This word means to share in the suffering or emotion. To be compassionate. Though it is translated as sympathize it carries the weight of empathy and compassion.
Who are the weak and who are the strong? (ex. Elders are the strong, youth are the weak) The strong must bear the burdens of the weak).
Why do you think empathy is important in our relationships?
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:
It can change the way you speak to people.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
It changes the way you act towards people (Luke 10:33-35)
What is the goal and result of empathetic relationships?
1 Cor 9:
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10”
Hindrances to being empathetic
man’s law trumps God’s law
Selective (vs. 29)
Beliefs, Perspectives and Customs trumps Mercy (vs. 30-32)
The Levite or the priests most likely would have crossed to the other side because the man looked dead, and their perspective was if you touch a dead body you were considered to be unclean for seven days.
Jerusalem was the hub center for worship. It’s where thee temple was. So the fact that a man (most likely Jewish), a Levite and and priests was coming down from Jerusalem, it’s almost as if church was just let out. And after church, the man got beat up, but the pastor or the deacon passed him over.
Numbers 9:11
11 “Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.
11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
Examples; Why is it important to be empathetic in our relationships?
Older vs. Younger Generation
You may focus more on “How you grew up, and spend less time understanding how they are growing up.”
Let’s say you said I remember when we didn’t have a choice to come to church. Your parents made you come. That’s good. But you were made to come to church with two strong believing parents that both lived in the house. But that child has two homes where he/she spends one weekend at moms and one weekend at dads because they are divorced. Mom is a believer and desires for me to go to church, but she works a lot so she doesn’t have a lot of time to pour in her children. Dad, on the other hand, is an atheist.
I didn’t make this up. I just described to you the reality of one of our youth here at our church.
Argument with someone
You focus more on trying to get your point across than on seeking understanding.
Criticism
How many times have you criticized something before you understood the situation.
They didn’t say hi to me! Did you know that
Hat example.