The words that come out of our mouth can give life or death to those who hear them. Without compassion, even words of faith can hurt and repulse the broken hearted.
Many preachers teach us that there is power in the words that come out of our mouth. At the same time, they encourage us not to say negative words, neither to our friends and family nor about our own lives. Some people even add that Christians should never say that they suffer from a particular disease, from fear that the disease will never leave them. A woman may complain “I have a bad back”,“No, that’s wrong, you’re healed in the name of Jesus!”, an enthusiastic brother will reply automatically. It’s true that Jesus heals, and that our words can create good or evil, but in our statements, it’s important to not forget compassion.
The case of the leper in Luke 5 is very touching. Jesus can heal anyone even remotely, without Him there. In verse 13 (NIV), we see that Jesus took a unique approach with this sick person. “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately leprosy left him.” He was a leper, which means that no one ever approached him, let alone touched him. Not only did Jesus heal him, but He touched him.
A few years ago during a healing evening, a young woman showed her inflamed hand to one of the elders who were praying for the sick. She didn’t have to explain the problem, a look at her hand and anyone would have understood. When she got in front of the elder, she started to cry. What did he do? He began to cry as well, just like Romans 12.15 says to do so. That night, the hand of the young woman was not healed, but her heart was freed from sorrow. When that sadness left her, her faith returned and a few weeks later her hand was healed.
When people lose their jobs, a nice spiritual phrase like “When God closes a door, He opens another one” are not always enough. Losing a job can bring a lot of pain, and not just financially. If a person had that job for a long time, and they loved it, they will grieve this loss. Often the wounds of the soul must be healed first so that faith can have a place to take root.
Romans 12.15 (NIV) says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” It’s good to say positive words, words of faith, but do not forget compassion in this recipe. Behind all the diseases and other problems, there is also sadness, disappointment, and perhaps even suicidal thoughts. Without compassion, the one that suffers will not receive the words of faith. It will be a sword that pierces their hearts instead of curing them.