ARE YOU PREJUDICED?

By David J. Riggs

                        
Intro.
   A. Paul told Timothy, "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus
      Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things      
      without prejudice..." 1 Tim. 5:21
   B. Prejudice is a sin against God, and a great hindrance to the   
      cause of truth.
   C. Everyone has prejudices to some extent.
      1. We may have a prejudice regarding such things as foods,
         clothing, colors, books, interests, etc.
      2. These may not endanger the soul, but they might deprive us
         of something we would otherwise enjoy in life.
   D. Prejudice does not always mean that one is wrong in his views.
      1. He could be right, and yet prejudiced, because his views are
         not the result of conviction from true evidence.
   E. We will ask and answer a few questions regarding prejudice.

I. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS PREJUDICE?
   A. W.E. Vine says that "prokrima" ("prejudice" found only in 1    
      Tim. 5:21) denotes "prejudging, to judge beforehand."
      1. Thayer defines "prokrima" as "an opinion formed before the
         facts are known, a judgment, a prejudice."
   B. Our English word "prejudice" is from two Latin words: "prae,"
      (before), and "judicium" (judgment); hence, prejudgment.
      1. Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary says, "1.
         Prejudgment; an opinion of mind formed without due
         examination to a just and impartial determination; an
         unreasonable predilection for, or objection to, a person or
         thing. 2. A previous bent or bias of mind, for or against,  
         any person or thing."
   C. Three things can be noted about prejudice from the various
      definitions:
      1. It is a predetermined opinion, decision, or judgment        
         rendered before examining the facts.
      2. Since the facts haven't been considered, it is not based on
         real evidence.
      3. It is an unreasonable bias of mind.
   D. The best demonstration of prejudice is seen in the Pharisees.
      1. The fact that they knew Jesus was working miracles did not
         convince them. John 11:47
      2. The fact that they could not truthfully find sin in Jesus,  
         did not convince them. John 8:46
         a. Even His betrayer confessed His innocence. Matt. 27:3-5
      3. His superior teaching did not convince them. Matt. 7:29
         a. The officers who were sent to take Him were so
            engrossed in His teaching that they forget to bring Him
            to the rulers. John 7:32,45-46
      4. Their own Scriptures did not convince them. John 5:39, 45-
         47
      5. Finally, the empty tomb which they could neither deny or
         explain, was ignored and a lie was invented and circulated
         instead of accepting the truth. Matt. 28:11-15
   E. Thus, the miracles of Jesus, His perfect life, His superior    
      teaching, their own Scriptures, and His resurrection did not   
      convince those Jews that Jesus was the Son of God.
      1. The only explanation which can be given is that they were so
         full of prejudice, they refused to accept the evidence.
      2. Instead, they fabricated falsehoods to try to prove to      
         others that He was an imposter and blasphemer.
   F. I once saw a plaque which said, "My mind is made up, so don't
      confuse me with the facts." That about sums it up for a lot of
      people.
      1. A judge glared down from his bench and said to the
         prospective juror, "And just why is it that you don't want  
         to serve on this jury?" The man replied, "Well, judge, I'm
         prejudiced. Just one look at that man has already convinced
         me that he's guilty." The judge scowled him by saying,
         "You're looking at the wrong man; that man is not the
         accused, but the district attorney!"

II. WHAT PRODUCES PREJUDICE?
   A. Usually prejudice can be traced to early impressions and
      associates.
      1. Parents have a profound influence upon their children in
         forming their views, especially in religious matters.
         a. Parents often bring great pressures upon their children
            to keep them in the grip of the traditions and doctrines
            of men.
   B. Ignorance and superstition generates prejudice.
      1. The less one knows about a subject, the more inclined he is
         to become prejudiced about it.
      2. A ruling clergy who keeps the masses in ignorance leads to
         much prejudice.
      3. Anything that hinders the acquisition of knowledge causes
         prejudice. 2 Cor. 4:3-4
   C. Jealousy and envy will produce prejudice.
      1. When Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia and
         preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath, some requested
         that they preach to them again the next Sabbath. 
      2. When that day came, almost the whole city came together to
         hear the Word of God. Acts 13:38-46
         a. However, we see prejudice at work in verse 45.
   D. Pride and selfishness produces prejudice.
      1. A proud and self-centered person will not listen to anything
         that opposes him and his own interest, regardless of the
         evidence.
      2. Plain, sharp words will stir his prejudice to the boiling   
         point.
         Ex. Herodias. Mark 6:17-20
      3. People of great power and influence can be prejudiced, even
         preachers.
         a. Here's an old saying: "Passion and prejudice often
            govern people's actions under the disguise of love and
            reason."

III. PREJUDICE PRODUCES WHAT? WHAT ARE ITS BITTER FRUITS?
   A. Prejudice is dangerous because of its fruits. At least four
      conditions of the heart result from prejudice.
      1. It produces wilful ignorance. 2 Pet. 3:5-7; Rom. 1:28
         a. A prejudiced person wilfully closes his eyes and ears to
            any facts that go contrary to his preconceived ideas.
         b. Matt. 13:14-15 - They wilfully refused to understand
            and be converted because they did not want to
            understand and be converted.
      2. It allows no changes.
         a. The very reason God gave us the Bible is to cause
            changes.
         b. Paul's mission was to make men see the truth, to cause
            them to turn from darkness to light. Acts 26:18
            (1) If one is in error, (unfruitful work of darkness), he
                must make a change.
         c. Some frankly admit that they will never change
            regardless of the evidence.
            (1) Such prejudice will cause them to be lost.
      3. It makes one dishonest.
         a. There is an old saying handed down from pioneer
            preachers: "Anyone can be honestly mistaken, but when
            he is confronted with the truth, he either ceases to be
            mistaken or ceases to be honest."
         b. Prejudice causes people to deliberately misquote,
            misrepresent, and misapply the Word of God. 2 Tim.
            3:13
         c. We need to be of a different spirit. 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Cor.
            4:2
      4. It creates anger, hatred, and even murder.
         a. This is a serious indictment against prejudice, but the
            Word of God sustains it.
         b. Christ was hated by the Jewish leaders because He
            attacked their prejudices and hypocrisy.
         c. Rooted in prejudice, their anger and hate of Him led
            them to crucify Him.

IV. HOW CAN WE ELIMINATE PREJUDICE?
   A. We must desire the truth above all else. Matt. 5:6; John 7:17
      1. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the
         truth. 2 Thess. 2:10-12
   B. We must never accept as final any position until all the facts
      are in and examined.
      1. All too often, we draw conclusions after only a small       
         portion of the evidence is heard. Prov. 18:13
      2. Remember, "There are two sides to every controversy."
   C. We must stay humble.
      1. We must accept the fact that it's possible we might be
         wrong, no matter how much we have studied.
      2. If we reach a point where we think we cannot be wrong, we
         have cultivated a heart ripe for prejudice. 2 Cor. 13:5; 2  
         Pet. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:22
   D. We must be willing to change.
      1. We should always be ready and willing to receive and review
         all evidence, and make whatever changes necessary to please
         God.

Concl.
   A. A daughter said to her mother, "Tomorrow, I'm bringing my new
      boy friend home for you to meet, and I must forewarn you that
      you may not like him, especially the way he's dressed, with his
      earrings and all, but I want you to keep an open mind." She
      repeated, "Remember, Mom, an open mind, an open mind!" Mom
      answered, "I will keep an open mind, but you might be surprised
      how much prejudice can be crammed into an open mind."
   B. Prejudices of all kinds will continue to exist in the world,   
      and we must learn to identify and eliminate them from our      
      hearts.
   C. Remember, prejudice is a wilful disposition, and it can be
      removed by desiring and accepting God's truth. John 8:31-32
   D. We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on  
      our own understanding.
      1. God eliminates prejudice from our hearts when we work
         with Him and for Him.