Mercy = Compassion

Luke 6:36  (NIV)
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

*Having mercy on someone is the same is being compassionate towards that individual. This is one of the key characteristics that God wants us to have towards one another because we are created in His image (2 Corinthians 5:17). He is also a compassionate God filled with a lot of love for us all (2 Chronicles 30:9, Neh. 9:16).

People often guess at how a person could be doing better for themselves, speculate what occurred in the lives of the individual, or judge them for their transgressions while at the same time forgetting to be compassionate or merciful towards that person. That very hardship, issue, decision, or experience that person is facing could have landed on you.The same way God's blessings are for everyone, so are the devil's hardships. The devil comes to see who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). Plus, you never know how a person got to that particular place in their life, and where God is trying to take them. Therefore show more compassion towards that individual, especially if you are unaware of the full situation. Your compassion can carry a person further in faith and hope then your assumption. Plus, God is watching the type of seed you are sowing into individuals, even with your words. You never know how your compassion can help you in the future, of hinder you from the lack there of....