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.