AN EMOTION THAT MOVES TO ACTION

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      There are several negative emotions that we can display as Christians can move us to engage in extremely negative, often sinful, actions. 

1.       Anger is one of those emotions.

2.       It is possible to be angry and not sin, but it is difficult.  Thus, Paul warns us, saying:  “Be ye angry, and sin not…” (Eph. 4:26).

3.       Often anger is not controlled and manifests itself in harmful and destructive words and actions.

a.       “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly… (Prov. 14:17).

b.       “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression” (Prov. 29:22).

 

B.      There are positive emotions that also display themselves in positive ways.  In this lesson, we want to talk about “An Emotion That Moves Us to Action.”  That emotion is compassion.

 

I.                    COMPASSION IS COMMANDED

 

A.      We are commanded to show compassion on one another (1 Pet. 3:8).

 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

 

B.      We also have a warning about failing to show compassion (1 John 3:17).

 

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

II.                 COMPASSION DEFINED

 

A.      Our English word “compassion” involves a prefix (com) and a root (passion).

1.       Com:  with

2.       Passion:  to suffer

3.       Thus, the literal definition of compassion means “to suffer with another.”

 

B.      There are seven Greek terms that are translated “compassion” in our English Bibles.

1.       Eleeho (Strong 1653)

a.       To compassionate (by word or deed, specifically divine grace)

b.       Thayer:  to have mercy on, to help the afflicted to bring help to the wretched

2.       Metriopatheo (Strong 3356)

a.       Moderate in passion, that is, gentle (to treat indulgently)

b.       Thayer:  to be affected moderately or in due measure, to preserve moderation in passions, especially anger and grief, one who is not unduly disturbed by the errors, faults, sins of others, but bears them gently.

3.       Oikteiro (Strong 3627)

a.       To exercise pity

b.       Thayer:  to have pity, to have compassion

4.       Splagenizomai (Strong 4697)

a.       To have the bowels yearn, that is, (figuratively) feel sympathy, pity

b.       Thayer:  to be moved as one’s bowels…the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity

5.       Splagehnon (Strong 4698)

a.       An intestine, pity or sympathy

b.       Thayer:  bowels…the seat of the tenderest affections, hence our heart

6.       Sumpatheo (Strong 4834)

a.       To feel ‘sympathy’ with, that is, (by implication) to commiserate

Also translated:  to be touched with the feelings of

b.       Thayer:  to be affected with the same feeling as another, to sympathize with, to feel for

7.       Sumpathes (Strong 4835)

a.       Having a fellow feeling (sympathetic) mutually commiserative

b.       Thayer:  suffering or feeling the like with others, sympathetic

 

C.      Summary:

1.       Compassion

2.       Mercy

3.       Help to the afflicted

4.       Gentle to those in sin

5.       Pity

6.       Sympathy

7.       To be touched with the feelings of another

8.       Suffering or feeling the same feeling with others

 

III.              COMPASSION EXEMPLIFIED

 

A.      The lord of the servant who owed him ten thousand talents (Matt. 18:27)

 

The Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

 

B.      The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33)

 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.

 

C.      The father of the prodigal (Luke 15:20)

 

And he arose, and came to his father.  But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

 

D.     The high priest of the Old Testament (Heb. 5:2)

 

Who have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

 

E.      The Hebrews upon the apostle Paul (Heb. 10:34)

 

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds…

 

IV.                THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION:  JESUS

 

A.      “…when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion…” (Matt. 9:36).

 

B.      “…and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them…” (Matt. 14:14).

 

C.      “I have compassion on the multitude” (Matt. 15:32).

 

D.     “So Jesus had compassion on them” (Matt. 20:34).

 

E.      “And Jesus moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41)

 

F.      “And when he saw her, he had compassion on her” (Luke 7:13).

 

V.                 STRUGGLE BRINGS COMPASSION, AND COMPASSION BRINGS ACTION

 

A.      “…when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion…” (Matt. 9:36)

Problem:  “because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Action:  Prayed for laborers

 

B.      “…and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them…” (Matt. 14:14).

Problem:  the people were sick

Action:  “…and healed their sick.”

 

C.      “I have compassion on the multitude” (Matt. 15:32).

Problem:  “…because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat…”

Action:  fed the multitudes

 

D.     “So Jesus had compassion on them” (Matt. 20:34).

Problem:  they were blind 

Action:  “…and touched their eyes;  and immediately their eyes received sight…”

 

E.      “And Jesus moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41)

Problem:  “And there came a leper to him…” (Mark 1:40).

Action:  healed the leper

 

F.      “And when he saw her, he had compassion on her” (Luke 7:13).

Problem:  “…there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was

widow…” (Luke 7:12)

Action:  raised the widow’s son from the dead

 

G.     The lord of the servant who owed him ten thousand talents (Matt. 18:27)

Problem:  “…one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  But forasmuch

as he had not to pay…” (Matt. 18:24-25).

Action:  forgave him the debt

 

H.     The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33)

Problem:  “…A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,

which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead”

(Luke 10:30).

Action:  took care of the wounded man

 

I.        The father of the prodigal (Luke 15:20)

Problem:  “And he arose, and came to his father…”

Action:  restored the son to his position in the home.

 

J.        The high priest of the Old Testament (Heb. 5:2)

Problem:  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way…”

Action:  made intercession on behalf of the people

 

K.      The Hebrews upon the apostle Paul (Heb. 10:34)

Problem:  “…in my bonds…”

Action:  “…and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods…”

 

L.      An interesting person upon which to have compassion (Jude 22)

 

And of some have compassion, making a difference.

 

                        Problem:  Individuals impacted by the false teachers.

                        Action:  gently guide them away from the false teachers

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      NOTE:  Compassion is the key element that moves one to assist another.  (Ex., The Samaritan is said to have had it, but the priest and Levite did not, Luke 10:31-33).

 

B.      BEWARE: 

1.       We can harden our hearts to the sufferings of others so much that we cease to be compassionate.

2.       We can become so compassionate that we harm individuals through our compassion.  They seek out assistance rather than helping themselves.