In the sixth episode of “Men Who Understood the Times,” we discuss the sin of empathy. Empathy is putting yourself in other people’s shoes. Empathy is different than kindness where we find what’s best, or goodness we follow God’s good will (Gal 5:22). Empathy can wreck theology. It can lead to the justification of all kinds of sins. Empathy for people will allow them to remain in their sin because we won’t call them to repentance. We can empathize people all the way to hell!
Empathy must always be subject to God’s love and truth. Love does not rejoice in falsehoods, evil, or lies. Love rejoices in the truth. Empathy becomes sin when we subject God, his Word, and truth to our feelings. A soft heart can make a mushy mind.
