Which New Testament teachings align with the empathy shown in Psalm 35:14? Psalm 35:14—A Snapshot of Spirit-Led Empathy “I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.” David’s heart broke for people who later turned on him. Even while wronged, he entered their pain as if it were his own. The New Testament calls believers to the same, Spirit-empowered empathy. Jesus Sets the Standard • Luke 6:27-28, 35 — “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you … pray for those who mistreat you … But love your enemies, do good to them.” • Matthew 5:44 — “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” • Luke 10:33-34 — The Good Samaritan “felt compassion,” bound the wounds, and paid the bill. • John 13:34 — “A new commandment I give you: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.” • Mark 12:31 — “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Shared Suffering and Sympathy • Romans 12:15 — “Weep with those who weep.” • 1 Corinthians 12:26 — “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” • Hebrews 13:3 — “Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them.” • 1 Peter 3:8 — “Be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.” Active Burden-Bearing • Galatians 6:2 — “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” • 1 John 3:16-18 — “Let us love not in word and speech but in action and truth.” • Ephesians 4:32 — “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another.” • Romans 12:20 — “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.” The Heart Clothes of Compassion • Colossians 3:12 — “Clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” • Philippians 2:4-5 — “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Living Psalm 35:14 Today • See wounds—even in adversaries—as invitations to display Christ’s mercy. • Step into another’s grief quickly: a visit, a call, a meal, a silent presence. • Pray specific blessing over those who oppose you, trusting God with justice. • Let generosity move beyond feeling into concrete help, mirroring the Good Samaritan. The empathy David described becomes, in the New Testament, a non-negotiable mark of believers whose lives are anchored in the literal, life-giving Word of God and the sacrificial love of Christ. |
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