IN SEPTEMBER 1962, Russia began to build bases in Cuba for nuclear missiles with the ability to strike most of the U.S…

A month later, the U.S. discovered this when a spy plane captured proof of missile bases under construction.  The immediate suggestion by military officials was to attack and destroy Cuba.  This is the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war.

Wisely, President Kennedy decided not to attack, yet he was still able to get the missiles removed only two weeks later.  How did he do this?  He approached the situation with President Khrushchev’s perspective and tried to understand the situation through his eyes.

This is called empathy.

Sympathy is when you genuinely try to share the feelings and emotions of someone else, particularly during a trying time.  Empathy is going further and understanding those feelings and emotions, doing so without prejudice.

While we could employ this technique in a number of ways, I want us to consider this tool in relation to evangelism.

The sharing of religious ideas can be emotional, even explosive, when disagreement is involved.  When people get angry, the chances of an effective conversation decrease.

But if we can set aside our pride and dive into the thoughts of the other person, really trying to understand their position from their perspective, the ensuing road will be much easier to travel.

Paul did this in Acts 17.22-34 when he stood on the Areopagus and shared the Gospel.  He knew how they thought and adjusted his approach, and did so with positive results.

Strive not to blast people with your understanding of things.  Start where they are and go from there.  You will be more effective for the Lord.  Jesse Wagner

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2.5

Mike Benson