Note: Linda is a PITFH Prayer Team Partner.  Father’s new name for Linda is “Narnie”

As I come to the topic of compassion, there are many things that stir my heart.  There is looking at what Jesus did while He walked this earth.  There are so many scriptures that say He had compassion and healed.  So what does it mean to have compassion?  How is compassion different from codependency?  Can I have healthy compassion that glorifies God when I have walked in codependent relationships in the past?

This evening as I spent quiet time with God, He said to me, “My beloved Narnie, today your eyes have been opened to the things that make the news.  They are dramatic things that affect many people.  These are yes – signs of the end of the age.  But beloved, I want you to look beyond all of this.  Let compassion fill your heart as you see people all around you as they are searching for Me. See deeper and deeper the hearts of people.  Like I showed you when you started hearing My voice.  Look deeper, yes deeper.  Peer into the deep hearts of people.  I will show you what I saw as I gazed upon the leper, the sick and those who cried out for their loved ones like the man let down through the roof.  This is where I want you to focus.”

So what is compassion?

In the NASB there are 92 verses with 98 matches found.  In the KJV there are 39 verses and 41 matches found.

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Mat 9:13)

“But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

(Mat 12:7)

In the Thayer dictionary, eleos, Strongs number G1656 means:

  • mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them

1a) of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful

1b) of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ

1c) the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life

Jesus had compassion on the people in other references.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

(Mat 9:36)

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

(Mat 20:34)

 In the Strongs number G4697 splagchnizomai the Thayer definition is.

1) to be moved as to one’s bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice.

Other words that refer to compassion are mercy, pity, moved, mercies.

From these definitions and scripture verses it appears that in compassion the heart is involved and there are deep emotions.  There is a deep convicting emotion to reach out and help people in what ever the situation is.  There is an emotion that reaches into the bowels which are the seat of love and pity.  When Jesus was moved by compassion, there was an action that followed.  It was tender and it ministered to the people.

Jesus, I would appreciate Your speaking to me about what You have to say about compassion.  You were moved with compassion and You have said that You desire compassion and not sacrifice.  May I come to You and hear Your heart on this matter?

Beloved, sacrifice is a physical action and the heart is not involved.  Anyone can offer sacrifices and it not touch peoples lives with the love of Father.  Compassion stems from Father’s love as He sees their deep needs.  Narnie,  it is like the difference between religion and relationship.  Compassion sees the deep heart and moves upon this need.  I looked upon the people and was moved with compassion and met a need.  Beloved compassion sees into the heart and is moved to do something for that person.

Thank You Jesus.

As I look at compassion, I have to ask, how is it different than codependency?

According to Alfred Ells in his book One Way Relationships, When You Love Them More Than They Love You, page 53, codependency is the tendency in all of us to love, care or give in a relationship for the wrong reasons.  It is the professional term for the desperate need in all of us:

  • to love in order to be loved
  • to give in order to get
  • to care in order to be cared for
  • to please in order to be accepted
  • to pamper and placate in order to avoid consequences

So as I look at this definition of codependency I see that it is love with a hook on it.  It is loving to get something or to avoid consequences of something.  WOW, what a revelation.

This is not what Jesus was speaking about at all.  He was moved with compassion not to get something.   It did not have a hook on it.  He did not do it with expectations of getting something.  He moved with a deep heart of Father’s love and He acted to minister to those who moved His heart.   He moved with tenderness and mercy and pity.

Lord Jesus, what do You have to say about the difference about compassion and codependency?

Beloved, you are seeing accurately.  Compassion is an emotion from Father.  Compassion is pure and full of Father’s mercy.  Compassion is tender and gentle and sees deep into the heart of those who move your heart.  Compassion comes from Father opening your heart and moving it to compassion.  When you act on your own behalf, it comes into the realm of love with a hook on it.  Self gets in the way and changes the dynamics of the experience.  Child codependency is centered on self and what you can get to meet your own desires and needs.  It is selfish and yes it has a hook on it.

You can not have compassion without Father granting it.  Compassion is a gift from God and the desired effect is one that leads others into Father’s heart.  Yes as I fed the 5000 and the 4000, their bellies were fed and their hearts were pricked and many were drawn to Me.  Some will come for selfish reasons of the flesh and you cannot control that but the desired effect is to minister Father’s love.

Jesus, what must I do to be moved with compassion?

Beloved,  keep your heart open to Father’s love and move as He directs.  He will give you the compassion that will cause you to be moved and you will know the action you are to take.  This is a pure motive child, not one with selfish desires.  Narnie, compassion is a deep heart emotion that is connected with Father and as your heart is open to Him, He moves in you and out through you to others for Him to bless through you.

Thank You Lord Jesus.

Jesus said to me, Narnie there are those who I have called to be evangelists who draw people to Me.  There are those who are prophets, apostles, teachers and pastors.  But you Narnie, I have called to be a nurse, to see the sick and dying through the eyes of compassion and mercy.  Child as you see them from the watch tower, see their deep heart.  Then I will give you opportunity to minister My love.

This is not less of a ministry beloved.  My love through you.  I have created you for such a time as this.  Keep your hand in Mine.  I will bless you to give My beauty and share Me with others.

Thank You Lord Jesus,  I so desire to have a pure heart of Father’s love.  To walk in Your compassion and mercy.  I so desire to look upon Your beauty, majesty, grandeur, kindness, mercy, compassion and Your holiness.  I invite You to come into me and to fill me with Your will for my life.  I accept the calling of being Your nurse.  I believe You are showing me a new meaning of being a nurse than working in the worlds medical profession.  I am to minister,  to be moved with compassion of Father’s love and to do as He shows me.

Thank You for the gracious ministry You have given me.  Thank You for showing me the difference between compassion and codependency.  I am grateful.  I love You Papa, Jesus and Spirit.  Thank You for what You are doing in my life.

Narnie