Emotional Intelligence = Empathy
2 Corinthians 1:23 CSB – I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth
2 Corinthians 2:1-2 CSB – In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?
How empathetic are you?
Psalm 37:5 CSB – “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Ezekiel 3:15 CSB – I came… I sat there among them stunned for seven days.
Philippians 2:3-5 CSB – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 4:15 CSB – He has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
Emotional Intelligence = The Ability to Live in Harmony
2 Corinthians 1:24 CSB – I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 CSB – Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Romans 12:16 CSB – Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre & The Immovable Ladder
Proverbs 19:11 CSB – A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Romans 12:16 CSB – Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud…. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Jeremiah 6:16 CSB – This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good? ” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t! ”
What Respecting Others Looks Like
- Honor everyone as made in God’s image
- Speak truthfully and tactfully
Proverbs 15:4 CSB – The tongue that heals is a tree of life,
but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
John 15:13 CSB – For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.
Luke 6:31 CSB – Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.
- Disagree gently
1 Corinthians 13:4c-5 CSB – [Love] is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable…
Matthew 20:25-28 CSB – Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Emotional Intelligence = Regularly Express Love
2 Corinthians 2:1-2 CSB – I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
2 Corinthians 2:3 CSB – Paul writes, I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours.
Emotional Intelligence = Express Encouragement Clearly
2 Corinthians 2:3-4 CSB – I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours.For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.
2 Timothy 4:2 CSB – Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
Our Challenge: Encourage Those Easy To Overlook
Emotional Intelligence = Developing Empathy
Emotional Intelligence = Learning to Live in Harmony
Emotional Intelligence = Expressing Affection Clearly
