Prejudice - Part One

If I were to ask you, "are you predjudiced?" your answer would probably be a resounding "No!"  For most of us, it is unthinkable, and yet for most, if not all of us, the answer "no" would be untrue.  In one way or another, everyone I know, including me, is prejudiced.  Whether we like it or not, and whether you admit it or not, it's true.  

I don't write this to condemn or judge you or myself. Rather, for the purpose of confession and repentance. Regardless of what should or should not be, or should have been in the past, this year, 2009, is our year of truth, of being honest about all the things we lie about to ourselves and to others.

Many of us are longing for more of God, for deeper, more intimate relationship with God and with each other. Yet, something stops us short. In a word, it could go without saying that it is, in fact, sin.  That being the case, I ask you to consider your own heart and life regarding prejudice. Are you prejudiced?

Let's take a quick look at Webster's dictionary definition as follows:

1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. 

2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.1

To be prejudiced basically means to prejudge.  Now, you know where I am coming from! Yep, I'm talking about being critical, judgmental and condemning. If you or I are judging any situation before it is heard, or before the arguments and facts are FULLY known, we are prejudiced.

Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language says this: prejudice is "an opinion or decision of mind, formed without due examination of the facts or arguments which are necessary to a just and impartial determination. It is used in a good or a bad sense...we are accustomed to believe what we are taught, and to receive opinions from others without examining the grounds by which they can be supported." 

How often do we hear ourselves making statements about people in situations when we know we do not know all the facts? And even when we think we do, are we likely to judge and/or condemn...to prejudge?

God's Word has plenty to say on the subject. Here are just a few verses:

"Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24

Stephanie

1 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prejudice