Sensitive: A Tender Heart Tuned to God’s Voice and the Needs of Others

Sensitivity is the desirable quality of a tender heart that is aware of the needs and aspirations of others — yet it requires maturity and wisdom to respond appropriately. This article explores what it means to be sensitive to God’s gentle whisper and to the people around us.

A Tender Heart with Mature Wisdom

This desirable quality of having a tender heart that is aware of the needs and aspirations of others requires maturity and wisdom about how to respond appropriately. However, caring and thoughtful people themselves can also be over-sensitive and emotional, and by misunderstanding comments can be easily offended, which can allow self-pity to take over. Being sensitive opens opportunities to help others — as we have received the comfort of the Holy Spirit, so in turn we can minister to others (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Many people are overly emotionally sensitive, reacting to the slightest harsh word as though it were a deliberate attack. A casual remark, an unmeant tone, or an off-hand comment is magnified into a personal slight, and before long the wounded party is brooding over the insult, replaying the conversation and rehearsing their grievance. What began as a minor misunderstanding is allowed to escalate — offence breeds resentment, resentment breeds withdrawal, and conflict follows, damaging friendships, families, marriages and churches that could have been preserved by a single honest conversation (Prov 17:14, 19:11).

An over-sensitive spirit is really self focused: it assumes every criticism is about me, every silence is aimed at me, and every correction is an injury to be defended against. The remedy is to keep a tender conscience toward God while developing a tougher skin toward people — quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (Jas 1:19). Rather than taking offence, check first whether the words were truly meant unkindly, overlook a wrong when love allows it, and forgive as Christ forgave you (Col 3:13; 1 Pet 4:8). Genuine sensitivity serves others; over-sensitivity serves only the wounded self and sows discord wherever it goes (Prov 16:28).

Have the right perspective regarding a tender heart

Hearing the Gentle Whisper of the Spirit

Clearly hearing and discerning the voice of God is a discipline that needs to be developed, even as the boy Samuel attuned himself to the heavenly master (1 Sam 3:1-10).

‘Lord, help me to be sensitive to your voice’

The Holy Spirit is likened to a dove, a gentle creature who will not force Himself into our lives but waits to be invited, so be open and sensitive to His guidance and conviction of sin, responding appropriately (Ps 32:8; Mt 2:13-15,19-23; Jn 1:32; Rev 3:20). Although Elijah experienced the wind, earthquake and fire, it was in the unspectacular quiet whisper he was spoken to by God (1 Kgs 19:11-18).

Although the Holy Spirit lives within us as believers, He is submissive to either our welcoming stance of honouring and respecting His presence, or a selfish attitude that is insensitive or unresponsive to Him speaking. We should cultivate the awareness of His presence and converse with Him throughout the day, asking for guidance, grace and whatever else we need — hence we are not to grieve Him but to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 4:30, 5:18).

Jesus said we would know His voice — am I aware of Him communing with my spirit, and do I obey what He says (Jn 8:47, 10:3-5)? Remember Jesus said if we love Him we will obey what He tells us (Jn 14:15).

Sensitivity Focused on Others, Not Ourselves

Our hearts should be sensitive and broken with the things that break God’s heart — people going to hell, Christians not walking in victory or growing in their relationship with their Saviour. Don’t pretend not to see the needs, refusing to get involved because it is someone else’s problem. Love requires sensitivity which leads to personal involvement (Isa 58:7; Lk 10:30-37; Jas 2:15-16).

Our sensitivity should be focused on others not ourselves

Through the hardening of their hearts, wicked people lose all sensitivity and increasingly give themselves over to all kinds of sin (Eph 4:18-19).

Reflection and Application:

Invite the Holy Spirit to heighten your awareness of His presence throughout each day.
Ask God to attune your ear to His quiet whisper rather than waiting for dramatic signs.
Guard against taking offence; bring hurt quickly to God instead of nursing self-pity.
Let your sensitivity move you to practical action for those whose needs break God’s heart.