How Can We Model the Love of Christ through Being Considerate?

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Updated June 14, 2023

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

These words from Paul are written in the context of modeling our lives after the same attitude Jesus illustrated when He left the glory of heaven to come to earth as a lowly human man, destined to die on a cross for the sins of the world. Everything He did was in consideration of the dire state of lost humanity, separated from their Creator. He took into account, or considered, our circumstances and was moved to act in mercy.

As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to walk in the same manner.

“The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6).

What Does It Mean to Be Considerate of Others?

The root word is “consider,” meaning to think carefully about something, especially before making a decision. A considerate person shows regard for the needs or feelings of others. Their words and actions are characterized by careful thought; they are deliberate and intentional, given to consideration or to sober reflection. They are mindful of consequences or circumstance and especially careful of the rights, claims, and feelings of others.

In this article, we’ll unpack some practical ways Scripture teaches us to be considerate. But first, we need to address an incorrect understanding that our culture has created. From a worldly perspective, “being considerate” is often interpreted as avoiding anything that could offend someone. The secular world would have us to believe that we can never say or do anything that could possibly hurt the feelings of someone who views life from a different perspective, even if it means not telling the truth.

This is not the biblical concept of being considerate.

Jesus’ words and actions were often challenging to His listeners. The truth He spoke was diametrically opposed to the cultural and religious ideology popular in His day. He questioned both the religious and the secular belief systems that were in place. And while He never sought to dismantle the current political structure, He was clear that the kingdom He came to install was of a spiritual nature, not subject to the whims and notions of this world’s rulers.

Jesus considered the true circumstances of the people He came to save and spoke and acted accordingly. His words and actions were characterized by careful thought, always intentional, always truthful, and always with the goal of changing the heart behind the faces who followed Him.

Thankfully, the Bible does give us a pattern for how we can consider the circumstances of the people around us and respond, both in Jesus’ life and words, and the teachings of the apostles. The most inconsiderate thing we could do is fail to tell others the truth about the God who loves them so much He would die for them. But how we speak about truth and the actions we take because of that truth can and should be done with great consideration. As others see our heart for them, their hearts will be more open to the Savior we represent.

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3).

Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers gives us some practical wisdom for how we can model the love of Christ as a considerate person. We are told “have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

Here are just four things which characterize the type of person we want to be:

1. A Considerate Person Speaks and Acts from a Place of Humility

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

In our definition of considerate, we saw that we must be mindful of consequences or circumstance and especially careful of the rights, claims, and feelings of others. This takes humility, a willingness to step back and think about what pre-existing events might have taken place in a person’s life to bring them to their current situation or attitude – events which we may know nothing about personally. It is prideful to think we may have made better choices when faced with similar circumstances.

Paul reminds us of this again in Romans, a book that focuses largely on the doctrines of our faith. But where our doctrine is made practical is in chapters 12-15. Paul has a lot to say about how we treat one another, stressing that we ought to view ourselves through the lens of humility.

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation” (Romans 12:16).

2. A Considerate Person Thinks of Others’ Interests, Not Just His Own

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

Jesus modeled this perfectly. It was not in His best interest to lay aside His glory, be made in the likeness of a human, and suffer and die unjustly. He acted first in the interests of His Father as He fulfilled the eternal covenant, and secondly in the interest of all humanity who needed forgiveness and redemption.

“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s’” (Matthew 16:21-23).

Just after this exchange, Jesus says those who wish to be His disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him – the very essence of putting others’ interests, and more importantly, God’s interests, at the forefront of our words and actions.

Paul exhibited this characteristic later in Philippians 2, when he willingly sent Epaphroditus to the Philippian church for their benefit and promised to send Timothy later. It was in his interest to keep his friends and co-workers nearby, so they could visit him in prison and see to his needs. Instead, he considered the needs of the believers first, and set aside his own interests.

“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:19-21).

3. A Considerate Person Understands and Bears with the Weaknesses of Others

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 2:21-25).

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification” (Romans 15:1).

Paul had an internal struggle as he sat in prison. On the one hand, it would be far easier and better for him if the Romans decided to end his life. He would escape the hardships and persecution that followed him everywhere he preached the gospel and would receive the heavenly rewards he knew awaited him in the presence of Jesus. On the other hand, he knew that God had called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles, and that those who believed needed the teaching and encouragement he was gifted to share.

Ultimately, it was God who would determine the length of his life, but in his heart, Paul willingly surrendered to the harder path out of consideration for others. He chose to not just please himself.

4. A Considerate Person Gives Room for God to Work

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6).

An understanding that God is at work in a person’s heart allows us to be patient and considerate with others. We think before we judge, weighing our words carefully so as not to get in the way of what God might be doing. An example is when and how we address issues with brothers and sisters in Christ, or with unbelievers, praying diligently for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom. It also means we see that our actions have a direct impact on how others view Jesus. If we are impatient and inconsiderate, it reflects badly on Jesus, whose name we bear as a professing Christian. Choosing to be considerate and unselfish towards others shows that we are different because of the work God has done in us.

Sanctification is a process over a lifetime of learning to walk in the Spirit, and salvation often takes many years of sowing and watering the seeds of the gospel before it bears fruit. It is inconsiderate to think we can rush the spiritual work of God with our works or passionate words that are rooted in our flesh; in fact, we may even hinder it.

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

As we strive to exhibit the character traits of a considerate person, let us remember the root meaning: to consider. Thoughtful relationships are built on a commitment to humble ourselves to be quick to hear and slow to speak out of consideration for the needs, interests, and weaknesses of others, knowing that God may be doing a work that we cannot see.

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).

Author Sheila Alewine is a pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother of five. She and her husband lead Around The Corner Ministries, which serves to equip Christ-followers to share the gospel where they live, work and play. She has written seven devotionals including Just Pray: God’s Not Done With You Yet, Grace & Glory: 50 Days in the Purpose & Plan of God, and her newest one, Give Me A Faith Like That, as well as Going Around The Corner, a Bible study for small groups who desire to reach their communities for Christ. Their ministry also offers disciple-making resources like One-To-One Disciple-Making in partnership with Multiplication Ministries. Sheila has a passion for God’s Word and shares what God is teaching her on her blog, The Way of The Word. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.