Harmony and Empathy Go Together

In 1 Peter 3:8 I read, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (NIV)

If I want to maintain harmony in my home and reduce the number of conflicts in relationships, then be sensitive and empathetic to how my words and actions affect others.

The Bible says, “Never do anything that might hurt others—Jews, Greeks, or God’s church” (1 Corinthians 10:32 NCV).

This principle of being sensitive to when people get offended is more important than ever, because it seems like everybody’s got a chip on their shoulder these days. We all get offended easily, and we all offend others easily.

The solution to that in relationships is to pour grace into any situation so that I’m not so easily offended—and then to become sensitive about the things that hurt or discourage others. Imagine how relationships could change by simply doing those two things!

But it requires that I admit I’m often insensitive to the impact of my words and actions. Can I admit that I’ve sometimes been insensitive to my spouse or that you’ve not been empathetic to colleagues or that I’m just not as thoughtful as I think I am?

It’s easy to quickly think of five things that other people do to offend me. But can I name five things I do that offend your spouse, friend, or co-workers? If not, then I can always ask them. They’ll be glad to tell you!

Being more sensitive will also help me obey the Bible in another area. Jesus said in Matthew 5:25, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary” (NIV). This is a principle Ineed in every relationship in my life.

To resolve conflict more easily and quickly, I need to do two things. First, think before I speak. Second, focus more on listening than on getting my point across.

It’s human nature to first think of how I’m offended rather than of how my words and actions affect others. But maintaining harmony requires me to be empathetic instead of defensive when I hurt someone else.

“Be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

Harmony and empathy will always go together. If I want one, I’ll have to have the other!

In summary, learn to be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and to be humble. To maintain harmony and reduce the number of conflicts in relationships, then I need to learn to be sensitive and empathetic to how my words and actions affect others. Seems like everybody’s got a chip on their shoulder these days. We all get offended easily, and we all offend others easily. The solution is to pour grace into any situation so that I’m not so easily offended and then to become sensitive about the things that hurt or discourage others. It requires that I admit I’m often insensitive to the impact of my words and actions. Being more sensitive will also help me obey the Bible in another area. I’m told to settle matters quickly with adversaries. To resolve conflict more easily and quickly, I need to do two things. First, think before I speak. Second, focus more on listening than on getting my point across. Maintaining harmony requires me to be empathetic instead of defensive when I hurt someone else. Harmony and empathy will always go together. If I want one, I’ll have to have the other!

Peter lists five key elements that should characterize any group of believers: (1) one mind, pursuing the same goals; (2) sympathy, being responsive to others' needs; (3) love, seeing and treating each other as brothers and sisters; (4) tenderness, being affectionately sensitive and caring; and (5) humility, being willing to encourage one another and rejoice in each other's successes. These five qualities go a long way toward helping believers serve God effectively.