Sympathy v empathy

[sparky]

Sympathy
an agreement of feeling,compassion for anothers suffering,agreement or accord,support or approval

Empathy
identification with emotions,thoughts etc of another

Isnt it the greatest feeling in the world when you approach a friend,you are weighed down with some burden and they say"i know exactly what your feeling!".To be able to identify with someone on that level whether it be perhaps the loss of a child,fighting a particular addiction or sin,to know your not alone in your anguish can aid you so much.At tj we have such a mixed bag of people that there is always usually someone to lend empathetic support.

So is sympathy whilst worthwhile perhaps not as important as empathy?It does seem its easier to say"oh im so sorry for you,i cant imagine what your going through but you have all my prayers".Well if we look at the example of jesus then the answer is no.

He walked the earth as a sinless,blameless man.He did not need to commit sin to be able to relate to sinners.He was able to empathise with the pain that was the human sinful condition.To lay down his life for all mankind was the ultimate in empathy and sympathy.The two go hand in hand and are very much equal in worth.

I sort of thought of this topic as i pondered the many young ones who come to tj.It seems in chat especially we discuss many grownup issues and the younger members may feel detered from inclusion from lack of life experience.Isnt that part of the reason the bible was given to us?Young or old, how can you fail in reading certain parts of the gospel pertaining to jesus death and not feel his pain?When reading psalms and of king davids fall from grace and then repentance it is impossible to not understand his heart-felt feeling and sorrow.The bible is full of many such examples.They are there to teach us empathy and how when accompanied by sympathy can help console and lift up our brothers and sisters in faith.

 

[Chad]

I guess its safe for me to say that, to a certain extent as much as a human can comprehend, I empathze with GOD for the pain in His heart. I feel so terrible each time I sin and at the same time I let that be a reminder and motivator to not sin in the future. Of course the merry goes round but you get the idea.

We try harder each day. Let the Truth speak for itself and let us preach to others every waking moment we can. That is what Talk Jesus is here for.

 

[Coconut]

"To lay down his life for all mankind was the ultimate in empathy and sympathy."
Amen Sparky!

Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was [not] my soul grieved for the poor? Job 30:25

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Rom 12:15

 

[spirit1st]

AMEN,I agree .Everything ,we may count as sin ?Is not sin .We born of GOd ,Do not rebell againth our LORd .But in the flesh ?Do sin .But we are spirits ,trapped in a sin full body .Which we can control ,if we walk in our inner being.Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.