Galatians 5:16-26, SENSITIVITY vs. callousness (2)

d)    What will a sensitive person seek to do in the following instances?

i)      You sense a quarrel coming on?  You will stop it before it starts (Prov. 17:14).  You will keep your peace rather than mounting a verbal response so as to win the argument (17:27-28).  You will understand this is the honorable thing to do rather than what the fool does (20:3).  (Cf. 26:17).

ii)   You sense someone is anxious.  You might seek to offer a good word of encouragement (Prov. 12:25; Eph. 4:29).  But you will guard against a “sing-song” approach (Prov. 20:25; flippant answers that make light of the heavy heart.)

iii)            You sense someone is grieving.  Again, you will avoid the approach which doesn’t work, the “easy answer” or the attitude that says, “it’s not such a big deal.” 

iv) You sense someone is sad.  On one hand you won’t add to his sorrow by expressing your sorrow, but will have a more upbeat attitude (Prov. 15:13).  You will seek the Lord’s leading to speak words at the right time (15:23).  If you have good news you will share it (15:30).

v)    You sense the conversation is turning to gossip.  You will remove yourself from the conversation if you cannot turn the conversation in a proper direction (Prov. 20:19).

vi) You sense someone is rejoicing.  You will rejoice with them (Rom. 12:15).  In other words, you will encourage their joy and not turn the conversation to your own situation.  Be happy that others are happy.

vii)          You sense someone is suffering.  You will seek to suffer with them (1 Cor. 12:26; i.e. you won’t deny their suffering or belittle it.)

viii)       You sense someone has been honored.  You will join them in their joy and not “up-stage” them with your own honors (1 Cor. 12:26).

e)    In what areas is sensitivity an especially great need?  Words can be extremely important (Prov. 16:24; 25:11).  They can even bring physical healing to those who are suffering.

f)    What are some keys to sensitivity? 

i)      The ability to truly listen to people is essential (Prov. 18:13).  Failure to listen opens up the door to being ashamed because we may say things or react to a situation in a way that totally misses the need of the person.

ii)   It might be that all the fruit of the Spirit is important here, but to me “self-control” is a key (Gal. 5:22).  We need to be walking in the Spirit so that He is able to point out another person’s heart condition by their facial expression or words or attitudes.

Commit Rom. 12:15 to memory so you can use it for meditation on the people God has brought into your life.