What does it mean to be empathic?

Answer

The term “empath” is derived from “empathy,” which is defined as “the capacity to comprehend and share the emotions of another.” An empathetic individual is someone who can instinctively perceive another person’s feelings and envision what it would be like to experience those emotions. Conversely, an empathic person is one who genuinely undergoes the emotions of another, sometimes being physically impacted by those emotions and potentially understanding the reasons behind a person’s feelings or actions. Empathic abilities involve sensing “body energies,” “vibes,” and other mystical forces. The idea of being an empath primarily originates from New Age spirituality intertwined with elements of contemporary science (both biological and psychological) regarding how emotions impact our physical well-being.

Although empaths are not specifically referenced in the Bible, there are relevant teachings. As Christians, we assess the veracity of concepts based on Scripture (John 17:17;Psalm 119:160;2 Timothy 3:16). This is crucial in this discourse because proponents of empathic abilities typically rely on emotions to determine truth. While emotions are not inherently negative (in fact, they are a fundamental aspect of human nature), they should not serve as the foundation of truth for three reasons: our hearts are unreliable “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”, (Jeremiah 17:9), emotions are capricious (Psalm 42:1-5), and emotions were never intended to guide us (Psalm 119:105;Romans 8:14).

The notion of an empath, or an individual possessing empathic abilities, is extensively explored in sci

Science fiction has popularized the concept of empaths, which is also embraced by various New Age beliefs. For instance, Deanna Troi, a fictional character in Star Trek: The Next Generation, possessed empathic abilities due to being half-human, which proved beneficial in her role as a counselor. According to Star Trek lore, Troi’s mother belonged to an alien race of empaths. An empathic character also appeared in an episode of the original Star Trek series. These characters and their narratives promote New Age and occult ideas.

To better grasp the term “empathic,” we can contrast it with “telepathic.” In theory, a telepath could hear another person’s thoughts directly in their own mind. Similarly, an empath would sense another person’s emotions directly. Within the New Age community, empaths are typically described as highly sensitive individuals capable of feeling the emotions of anyone—human or animal—nearby, regardless of circumstances or awareness. This interpretation is highly subjective and falls under the category of alleged psychic abilities that some individuals profess to possess.

The belief that empaths can perceive the physical sensitivities and spiritual inclinations of others is a belief shared by many in the occult. Only God has the ability to discern the motives and intentions of another person (Psalm 139; John 2:25; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11). First Corinthians 2:11 states, “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?” Such insight is not granted to us.

Empathy, or the capacity to listen to, comprehend, and empathize with others’ emotions, is a precious gift, and there is nothing contrary to biblical teachings in the concept of sharing another person’s burdens, whether emotional or otherwise “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”, (Galatians 6:2). In reality, the Spirit of God is described as a comforter.The comforter of the afflicted (2 Corinthians 1:3-6). However, asserting the abilities of an empath extends beyond genuine empathy and divine sensitivity and delves into the domain of the psychic.