Mercy (chêsêd in Hebrew) is defined in the Bible as favor and loving kindness.
The Oxford dictionary defines mercy as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
In other words, mercy is extended to the guilty by the injured party. The legal definition is called clemency or leniency.
According to God’s word, mercy triumphs over judgment.
That means God’s mercy is exalted over the judgment due to the offender.
Judgment means the condemnation and accusation of the law. Which, of course, requires a penalty.
Jesus fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law. He paid the debt that sinners or lawbreakers owed.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
James 2 tells us that if we judge someone without showing Mercy to them, then we shall be judged without mercy.
What exactly does it mean to judge? There are two meanings for judge, both in the dictionary and in the Bible. Here we refer to the judgment of passing sentence or condemning others according to our standards.
You can find out more about judging by reading this blog.
Some overlook the principle of mercy triumphing over judgment to their own detriment. Both the Christian and the non-Christian, because the law of God applies to both.
When we pass judgment or condemnation on others, we will be sure to reap the same condemnation on us. Its a spiritual principle that exists under the law of sowing and reaping.
To find out more about the law of sowing and reaping, check out this blog.
Showing mercy to a person who violates the law or offends does not mean that Christians should overlook evil or wrongdoing; instead, it means we are called to show mercy in the situation. Otherwise, we will find that our condemnation will come back on us.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve paid dearly over the years for opening my big mouth and giving my two cents’ worth.
When I finally began to figure out the error of my ways, I repented big time.
But I found myself in a dilemma. How do I rebuke a wrong? How do I avoid being a carpet? How do I point out a truth without falling off my high horse?
The answer is mercy.
I was introduced to this concept without actually understanding its full implications.
I don’t suggest you learn the way I did because it’s a difficult process. It’s best to learn these things from an expert who has been shown the error of their ways.
After reaping a whole lot of condemnation on myself for my condemnation of others, the light finally went on in my head.
God, in his loving kindness toward me, did not leave me without resources in this life. By giving me an introspective heart and a critical mind that can detect patterns, I have learned a great deal through my experiences and study of the Word of God. Maybe that’s my gift? Anyway, so that others can learn from my mistakes, I present this teaching.
Mercy is the antidote for judgment. If you are like me and absolutely hate injustices, you will be more successful in bringing a remedy to any unjust situation by applying mercy rather than a good tongue-lashing.
The first thing God taught me about dealing with difficult people was: “Do not attack the person.” Sure, you may hate what they do. You may hate that they are getting away with their shenanigans. You may even hate the fact that only you can see the speck in their eye that no one else does, but that still does not give you the right to attack their person.
God loves even the worst of sinners and wants them to repent. We need to keep that in mind. God’s love is so vast and beyond our understanding that it’s mind-boggling.
The good news is that we can expose the darkness a person may be participating in, but we must do it with mercy. The best way to do that is through prayer. And I do not mean “sick’em” prayers.”
I mean scripture prayers. Many are praying incorrectly and releasing demonic activity on people. God does not answer prayers that are not motivated by mercy.
God’s light always exposes darkness. You can be sure of that!
However, the purpose of exposure is to extend mercy. To give the guilty party a chance to repent and get right with God.
When dealing with exposing wrong ideas, unscriptural theology, or outright lies, we must avoid using any negative ad hominem.
Exposing an ideology or demonic stronghold is important. God wants to deal with the sin, but he also wants to extend mercy to the individual.
That means that we confront the belief system, not the person.
We must constantly expose error in love and mercy, because if we are mean or accusatory, we may one day find ourselves doing the same thing. God has a way of pointing out our hypocrisy.
God showed me that the best way to deal with error is to say what is, not what is not.
In other words, truth exposes error. Many are deceived because they know only one side of the argument and are indoctrinated by religious or cultural norms.
By showing them the truth, their error is exposed. If we attack the person, they will be less likely to hear the truth due to offense.
This had been a real learning curve for me. I’m the teacher type. I want everyone to know the facts. ALL the facts.
God, in his wisdom, showed me that if you teach what is true rather than criticize what isn’t, the truth will prevail.
As tempting as it may be to argue with every Tom, Nick, and Harry over every jot and tittle, it is much better to tell the truth and leave it at that.
Too many of us have a god complex, thinking that our mission in life is to set the record straight and put everyone in their place. Not so.
Our commission is to speak the truth in love. Truth, after all, sets people free. Truth will always shine out in a dung heap. Truth is a sharp sword that divides between joint and marrow.
The next thing the Lord showed me is the principle of blessing your enemies. Those in error or those attacking your life in any way are only going to be stopped by praying for them with mercy.
The best way to bless someone is to pray for them in mercy.
A terribly harmful teaching out there is the idea that you can pray doom and judgment on people. There are actually people who do that. Not only is that scripturally wrong by New Testament standards, but it’s scary.
Our enemy is not flesh and blood. While we can bind and restrain the demonic, we are never to pray judgment on others.
Jesus said, Love your enemies. Do good to them and pray for them.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren’t even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Praying for those who have hurt you is not praying for revenge or condemnation on them. We are called to show mercy.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
I will give you an example of God’s mercy.
One night, I woke up feeling as if dark powers were attacking me. I could literally feel and hear a lot of negative things in the spiritual realm. At first, I thought to pray those “get ya” prayers, but the Holy Spirit stopped me. He said, ‘Pray a blessing on them’.
So I started to pray that the light of God would cover them. That the blood of Jesus would cover me. I prayed for the salvation of those involved. I prayed that angels surround them. That God’s glory would fall on them. I prayed for their salvation.
As it turned out, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit all over me, and a total peace came over me. That was the end of that situation.
I learned something that night. God’s love is a powerful weapon against the darkness.
God’s mercy loves others even if they don’t love us back.
God wants us to show mercy to those who hate us and abuse us. It is written.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven Luke 6: 36,37
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 145:8
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7
Remember that if we show mercy to others, God will show mercy to us.
Psalms 103:8 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.
It’s a spiritual principle that we all need.
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