For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18
Two words in the English language are often confused and, therefore, misused: sympathize and empathize. Sympathy literally means “to suffer with.” Sympathy is expressed by feelings of pity or sorrow for someone’s suffering. You may not understand what the person is experiencing, but you feel badly for them. To empathize goes a step further. Empathy means “to understand and share in the suffering of another because you have experienced the same suffering yourself.”
Jesus expressed both sympathy and empathy. He was “moved with compassion” when He observed the spiritual condition of people—they were like “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). This was not something Jesus had experienced Himself, but He sympathized with the suffering of others. But when it comes to the suffering we experience in temptation, Jesus can empathize with us because “He Himself has suffered, being tempted.” Having experienced the same suffering, He knows how to come to our aid.
You are not alone when you are tempted. Jesus knows what you are experiencing. As He escaped temptation Himself, He will guide you through to victory over sin.
Our response to temptation is an accurate barometer of our love for God.
