“A righteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” Proverbs 12:10 AMP

Ladies, if you are in the process of finding your soul mate, check out how he treats animals! The Scripture today uses the words, “kind regard.” The word in the Hebrew means to “have a high status and honor; to come to comprehend through the observation of an object or person.” It can also be translated to “acknowledge; select for special favor; or to think about the object with a purpose to respond.” All of these definitions indicate that a man is not self-centered and takes consideration for the circumstances and situations of others. If he is concerned for the life and condition of the animal, how much more will that compassion and love express itself to others? I love the translation “acknowledge; select for special favor; or to think about the object with a purpose to respond.” This means that a man is moved by understanding the need of the animal and is moved to respond to their situation. 

Last year while leaving my house for work, I heard a terrible noise coming from the front of our house. Upon investigation, I found 5 3-day old kittens that someone had thrown in the trash dumpster. My heart was moved with a concern for their welfare! It was more than 120 degrees outside, and they were just about gone! Immediately I found a box, moved them into the church building and went to the pet store to get Kitten milk to feed them! Not all of them made it but 3 survived and are doing well!

Compassion is the result of being moved by the circumstances and suffering of others. I am reminded of the verse in Philippians.

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 AMP

If the same love that Christ spread abroad in our hearts is being displayed, then compassion and care will come spilling forward to those around us. The opposite is true of the wicked! The Scripture gives us a clear view of those walking in self-satisfaction and fulfilment,

“1But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3[and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP

Sound like a generation you know? It is clear that, “from the abundance of the heart comes forth the demonstration of our lives.” Jesus made it simpler; a good tree cannot produce bad fruit! Are you moved to action at the plight of the lost? Are you observing the end of those who are living in sin and doing something to intervene? Let the love that is in you pore forth and make an impact in someone’s life!

Have a loving day, Pastor Ken