The Gift of Mercy

The Greek word that is used in Romans 12:8 to designate the seventh Motivational Gift is “eleeo.”

The King James Version translated, “to show mercy.”

It is defined by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, as, “to have compassion – by word or deed – specifically, obtain, receive, or show, by Divine grace.”

Vine’s Word Study defines “eleeo” as “the readiness of mind that prompts one to do anything joyfully and cheerfully.”

Vincent defines it as “the joyfulness, the amiable grace, the affability going the length of gaiety, which makes the visitor a sunbeam penetrating into the sick-chamber, and to the heart of the afflicted.”

Wuest tells us that the word “hilarity” comes from the same Greek word.

The motivation of one with the Motivational Gift of Compassion, or Mercy is to mentally, and emotionally, relate to the feelings of those around him.

Just as the server focuses on physical needs, the one with the gift of compassion concentrates on giving empathy, and comfort, during times of distress.

The Motivational Gift of compassion, or Mercy, is the ability to show great love, and deep feeling, toward the needs of others, it is the “outward manifestation of empathy.”

The guidelines for this gift of compassion, or mercy, spoken of in Romans 12:15, are:

Romans 12:15 KJV

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

1. To weep with, and

2. To rejoice with

I. Characteristics of the Gift of Mercy

A. Deeply Loyal to Friends

A person with the gift of mercy demonstrates loyalty to a friend to the extent that he will even react harshly toward those who attack his friends.

When the Apostle John, with the gift of mercy, watched the Samaritans reject Jesus, whom he love he wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume them (See Luke 9:54).

Luke 9:54 KJV

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

HE IS TRUSTWORTHY, THEREFORE, TRUSTING

Because the merciful, person is trustworthy, he expects others to be also, that is why he assumes that everyone is honest and reliable until absolutely proven otherwise.

He can be so trusting, in fact, that he may tend to be gullible.

HE ALWAYS LOOKS FOR THE GOOD IN PEOPLE

Because the merciful, person is non-critical not only does his focus remain on the good, both real and potential, in others, but he also seems to have built-in blinders that keep him from seeing the bad in others.

B. Need for Deep Friendships

The very nature of a person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy requires close friendships, friendships where there are mutual commitments and constant reaffirmations.

John enjoyed such a friendship with Jesus.

He was not only closer to Christ than more of the other disciples, but he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

HE IS MOTIVATED TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER

Because the merciful person grieves over broken relationships, he is a natural builder of bridges, a mender of breaches, a “peacemaker.”

He works to bring about Jesus’ prayer in John 17:22-23,

John 17:22–23 KJV

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

He Desires to see the Body of Christ united, and functioning, in love.

HE AVOIDS CONFLICTS AND CONFRONTATIONS

The person with the gift of mercy longs, and will do anything, for peace and harmony, that is why he finds it difficult to cope with conflict.

C. Empathize with Hurting People

One with the gift of mercy has an ever-present – ready to empathize –characteristic that attracts him to those who are hurting or in distress.

The compassionate, merciful, person cannot only sense which individuals are hurting, but he also has the ability to share pain with them.

The compassionate, merciful person can, as well, sense the full scope of emotions of those who are hurting.

HE IS RULED BY HIS HEART RATHER THAN BY HIS HEAD

The heart plays the major role in the life of the person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy because the heart is the channel through which he shares God’s wonderful love with others.

HE REJOICES TO SEE OTHERS BLESSED AND GRIEVES TO SEE OTHERS HURT

Because the person with eh motivational Gift of Mercy has an immense capacity to identify with what others are going through he has an ability to “rejoice with those who rejoice,” and to “weep with those who weep.”

D. Decisions Based on Benefits

One motivated by the gift of mercy will find it hard to be firm because he does not want to offend others.

However, as he matures in this gift, he must come to realize that greater hurt, and offenses, may occur if he fails to be decisive.

When John was faced with denying Jesus, he demonstrated a boldness and decisiveness that caused the Sadducees to marvel (See Acts 4:13.)

Acts 4:13 KJV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

HE IS A CRUSADER FOR GOOD CAUSES

In the eye of the person with the Motivational of Gift of Mercy, right needs to prevail.

If there is evil at work in society he strives to overcome it, usually in “silent witness” fashion – by participating – for instance, in sit-ins, picketing, peace marches, our mail-outs.

If he has a more extroverted personality, or a strong secondary “speaking gift,” he may address political rallies or appear on television, however, no matter what he does, it is done with the motivation to bring about change.

He tends to be altruistic, not wanting any special benefit for himself, but rather, for others.

But HE DOES NOT LIKE TO BE RUSHED IN A JOB OR ACTIVITY

The person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy has one speed: “Slow Forward” – which means that punctuality may be a problem.

Given a job, he will finish it, but not necessarily on schedule – because – time doesn’t seem important to him.

Because he is a “NOW” person, and lives for the moment, he figures that the future will take care of itself, just as long as he is about his Father’s business in the present.

E. Deeply Sensitive to Loved Ones

Because the gift of mercy carries with it the ability to sense genuine love, it, therefore, also carries with it a greater vulnerability to deeper, and more frequent, hurts from those who fail to demonstrate sincere love.

John used the word “love” in his Gospel and epistles more times than did any of the other disciples.

HE LOVES DOING THOUGHTFUL THINGS FOR OTHERS

The person motivated by mercy will remember birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day – and find a host of other occasions on which to send cards, or notes, just to remind others that he cares.

HE HAS A TREMENDOUS CAPACITY TO SHOW LOVE

Of all the Motivational Gifts, the gift of Mercy is the one that gives one the greatest capacity, and ability, to show love to others.

Reflecting the nature of his heavenly Father, the person motivated by “the Gift of Mercy” seems to be an unending source of “agape” love, and, the more opportunity he has to give this love, the more joyful, and fulfilled, he is.

HE IS TYPICALLY CHEERFUL AND JOYFUL

The person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy is a positive person.

Because the Merciful person loves showing love he, in fact, can do it with “genuine cheerfulness” and “joyful eagerness.”

As verse 8 of this chapter tells us, those with the Gift of Mercy do so with cheerfulness.

HE IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS THAN PHYSICAL DISTRESS

The person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy will probably be the first one to visit someone who goes to the hospital and, then, he will inquire about this person’s comfort and medical prognosis.

His greatest area of concern for the one who is ill will be how he is feeling – what he may be worrying about – whether or not he is fearful – whether or not he senses the Lord’s presence in this time of need.

F. Attract People in Distress

One who is motivated by the gift of mercy has a deep understanding of people who are going through mental, or emotional, distress.

This sensitivity causes those who hurt to be drawn to him and confide in him.

When Jesus died, He transferred responsibility for his grieving mother to John (See John 19:26- 27).

John 19:26–27 KJV

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

However the person with a gift of mercy can easily detect insincerity or wrong motives.

Because the merciful, person’s “built-in radar system” helps him to detect ulterior motives, or insincerity, of any kind, he will back off from a person, or a group, when he senses this.

G. Desire to Remove Hurts

The person who is motivated by mercy is not only drawn to the hurting, but will also do something about the hurt, whenever possible.

Whereas the exhorter will try to help a person find benefit from his hurt, the person with the gift of mercy will try to remove the source of the hurt.

The message of John’s first epistle was for Christians to stop “hurting” each other (See 1 John 3:11, 15).

1 John 3:11 KJV

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:15 KJV

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

HE IS CAREFUL WITH HIS WORDS AND ACTIONS IN ORDER TO AVOID HURTING OTHERS

Because the last thing a merciful, person wants is to be the cause of hurt to another person he will be extremely careful in his actions, and speech, in order to keep from hurting others.

HE INTERCEDES FOR THE HURTS AND PROBLEMS OF OTHERS

Like those with the Motivational Gift of “Prophet,” – and those with the Motivational Gift of “Giving” – those with the Motivational Gift of “Mercy” is, most likely to be called to, and anointed for, intercessory prayer.

They intercede primarily for the hurts and problems they have become aware of in other people’s lives.

Because their prayers are deeply, moving, heartfelt, expressive prayers, it is not unusual for them to be moved to tears as they intercede.

Because those with the Motivational Gift of Mercy usually pray with an abandonment that forgets that there are others present, they are unashamed of their tears or of other expressions of emotions.

H. Measure Acceptance by Closeness

A person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy tends to need physical closeness in order to be reassured of acceptance, a closeness that includes rich times of fellowship.

John sought out the closest place to Jesus at the Last Supper and leaned upon the Lord and this same need for physical closeness may also have been what prompted his request to sit next to Christ in glory (See Mark 10:35-37).

Mark 10:35–37 KJV

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

I. Attracted to Prophets

The statement that “opposites attract” is certainly true with the Motivational Gifts.

The mature person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy should realize his need for the one with the Motivational Gift of Prophecy – knowing that the firm truth of this gift is balanced with the gentle love of compassion.

John spent more time with Peter than with any other disciple.

However, Those with the Motivational gift of Mercy are naturally drawn to each other.

They enjoy sharing with each other, praying together, just being together.

They may not think alike, but they feel alike.

They have the same emotional reactions to people and situations, and share the same degree of concern for them.

II. Misuses of the Gift of Mercy

The Motivational Gift of Mercy is potentially both the most beautiful gift of all – and the most emotionally destruction gift of all! It all depends upon the degree to which the, merciful, person had overcome his own emotional wounds, but more importantly is yielded to the Holy Spirit.

Merciful, people are the most vulnerable to hurts because their hearts are the most open to others.

When they are betrayed there is virtually no protection, no shell, no tough hide or callousness to deflect the attack.

A. Taking Up Offences

Because a merciful, person cannot stand to see another person hurt or offended, he is quick to take up the offended person’s cause, especially if the one being hurt is a friend.

Here is how it generally happens: “A” says something hurtful to “B.” The person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy observes what has happened – joins in with “B” – and becomes upset with “A.”

If, meanwhile, “A” and “B” make up, and restore their relationship, the merciful person may still hold a grudge against “A.”

If the Body of Christ is working together properly, before the one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy gives comfort, someone with the Motivational Gift of Prophecy should check out what caused the hurt and then someone with the Motivational Gift of Exhortation should give steps for properly responding to that hurt.

And along the same lines, those with the Gift of Mercy can be easily hurt by others

No one gets hurt as easily as the merciful, person because he is the most vulnerable.

B. Becoming Possessive

The deep need for commitment in a close friendship can cause those with Motivational Gift of Mercy to monopolize the time, and attention, of others.

As he experiences disappointments in one friendship, he then, tends to place greater demands on a new friendship.

C. Tolerating Evil

If those with the Motivational Gift of Mercy do not have spiritual discernment as to why people suffer, they may give sympathy and encouragement to those who are suffering as a direct result of violating God’s moral laws.

The one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy must learn discernment by seeing people through the eyes of the other spiritual gifts.

EMPATHIZING TOO MUCH WITH THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS

When one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy empathizes too completely with the suffering of others, it can weigh him down and render him ineffective in ministry.

D. Failing to Be Firm

When a person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy is given a position of leadership, he will tend to avoid disciplinary action that is needed.

As a result, the person who should have been disciplined is not brought to repentance.

This can cause those with the Motivation Gift of Prophet to oppose his leadership and, perhaps even, others with the Motivational Gift of Mercy to oppose those with the Motivational Gift of Prophets.

TENDING TO BE INDECISIVE

It is difficult for the person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy to make decisions.

He will ponder the possible consequences, delay as long as he can, or transfer the responsibility to others if possible.

E. Leaning on Emotions vs. Reason

the person with the Motivational Gift of Mercy has such sensitive feelings, he tends to base his decisions on emotions rather than on principles.

His subjective reasoning can easily cause him to reject Biblical doctrines that seem harsh to him.

F. Defrauding Opposite Sex

Because one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy has such ability to show love, and because so many people need to feel loved, it is easy for his affection to be misconstrued, or misinterpreted, by a member of the opposite sex.

One of the opposite sex tends to be drawn to one who has the gift of mercy.

This attraction comes about because of the ability of the one motivated by compassion to be a sensitive, understanding, and responsive listener.

Therefore, it is wise for one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy to consider this dynamic in any relationship that he has with a person of the opposite sex.

G. Reacting to God’s Purposes

Unlike the person with the Motivational Gift of Exhortation, who looks at suffering as a means of receiving more grace and growing spiritually, those with the Motivational Gift of Mercy tend to react negatively to the idea that God could ever allow a good person to suffer.

WARNING Unless the one who has the Motivational Gift of Mercy maintains a proper perspective, he can easily become bitter toward God

H. Cutting Off Insensitive People

A person whose words, and actions, reflect insensitivity to the feelings of other people will be quickly recognized and reacted to, by one with the Motivational Gift of Mercy.

Rather than trying to help this insensitive person, the one motivated by the gift of mercy will tend to close off his spirit to, and his fellowship with, that person.

I. Failing to Show Deference

Deference is a word that is not understood in today's society, especially in Christian circles.

Deference means limiting my freedom in order not to offend the tastes or preferences of those God has called me to serve.

When a person motivated by mercy demands physical closeness in a friendship, he may fail to consider others who also need that person’s time and attention.

It would seem that it was this very reason, John was reproved for his request to be next to Jesus in His Kingdom.