Empathy: A Sign of Strength, Not Weakness
Recently, a well-known celebrity and a prominent leader have made headlines for dismissing empathy as a weakness. Even a preacher has gone so far as to call it a sin. These perspectives are not just concerning; they reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of what empathy truly is and why it matters.
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s position. It doesn’t require agreement or endorsement of another’s choices, but it does mean acknowledging their perspective and recognizing their humanity. Understanding how circumstances impact others allows us to consider our own actions more thoughtfully—both in how they affect people around us and in shaping our own moral compass.
Some equate a lack of empathy with strength, arguing that caring too much makes a person weak. But in reality, the absence of empathy is a hallmark of sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies. People with these traits lack regard for how their actions impact others. They see relationships only through the lens of personal gain, unable—or unwilling—to consider the consequences of their behavior beyond themselves.
The idea that empathy is a sin is not only unbiblical but entirely contradictory to the teachings of Jesus. The Bible repeatedly commands us to treat others with kindness, dignity, and respect. Jesus himself summarized the greatest commandments as:
- Love God with all your heart.
- Love others as yourself.
Loving others means caring about their well-being, showing compassion, and treating them with the same dignity we desire for ourselves. There is no passage in Scripture that condemns empathy—rather, there are countless verses that emphasize the importance of kindness, mercy, and understanding.
Empathy doesn’t mean enabling harmful behavior or eliminating accountability. Holding people responsible for their actions is still necessary, but it can be done with compassion. In my own experience, I’ve worked with individuals who made poor choices and faced severe consequences. My role was not to excuse their past decisions but to help them find a better path forward. Recognizing their struggles and treating them with dignity didn’t mean I agreed with everything they had done—it simply meant I saw them as human beings with value.
Even in our personal lives, we can see the impact of empathy. As a child, I made choices that led to a serious eye injury. My parents didn’t excuse my mistakes, but they cared enough to guide me through them, helping me understand that actions have repercussions. That’s the balance of empathy—it acknowledges struggles while still holding people accountable.
Empathy is not a weakness; it is a mark of emotional strength and maturity. It allows us to step outside ourselves, consider others, and make more thoughtful, compassionate choices. True leaders and strong individuals are not those who dismiss empathy but those who practice it, recognizing that caring for others is not a burden—it’s a testament to our shared humanity.
The Dee Zone 