Do we need empathy to evangelise?

Hey 👋🏿,

Evangelism is the act of introducing a concept, belief or way of life to someone who is new to it or doesn't have deep knowledge and understanding about it. 

This was my definition of the word. 

Now I've always heard empathy means understanding.

 Let's look at the dictionary definition I picked from Google ;

"Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by viewing the world from their perspective, often described as "walking in someone else's shoes"

The question is; Do we need empathy to evangelise? I'd like you to answer that question before you continue this read.

A few verses to drive my points;

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

[3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

1 Peter 3:8 NIV

[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

My response to the question is that indeed we need it to evangelise. We need empathy to reach souls and not just pour out a soulless template that's been your routine for years.

Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commission as his last command while on Earth and as Christians we've been taught the importance of this command ever since we gained consciousness by like 5 or something.

Empathy affords the man with the 9 to 5 job to sit down with the jobless man by 7pm and listen to him. Not just listen, encourage, be silent when needed and exercise humility of spirit with the knowledge that he's not just one more soul in your record book, not one more to your goal of 365 souls in a year but that he's one soul that God will leave the 99 for. 

Empathy allows a person to sit and listen to the friend who has no filter and not judge them and condemn them to hell. 

Empathy allows the old to communicate with the young on their level. 

Empathy teaches to share love, give time and resources and celebrate the little wins. 

Empathy opens the door for conversations. It gives you a reason to relate, a ground to stand on in conversations and allows you to get creative about sharing the gospel. 

Note: no matter, no degree and no manner of relatability should make you twist the gospel to cover things that are not necessarily true, actually a lie or make the person feel better. 

2 Corinthians 11:4 NIV

[4] For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

Aisha, Nathaniel, Jeffrey, Phoebe, Dolapo, Gloria, they're not just numbers, they're people and if your message doesn't introduce this people to who God is, doesn't fill them with the wonder of God, ask God where you went wrong and ask him to fix and guide you properly.

I draw example from Apostle Paul who we see uses different writing styles for different churches, to some churches he sent warning letters, to some he taught them how to build their faith and to some he praised them. Paul said on several occasions that the Wisdom, Gospel of God is not shared through the eloquence of speech and powerful rhyming words but by humbling himself even in his weakness so that Christ may be seen through him.

2 Corinthians 11:6-7 NIV

[6] I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. [7] Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

2 Corinthians 11:30 NIV

[30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Empathy removes the element of pride in the evangelist and it softens the heart in which it's going to be planted in. People need a listening ear and not a running mouth. 

Share the true Gospel of God this week and share it with true compassion, love and empathy 🤍.

Have a blessed week. 

Your accountability partner in Christ, Gloria ✨

Shalom 🫶🏿