Webster dictionary defines prejudice as:
i). an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge
ii). an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
Looking at the two aspects above, we see that prejudice is as old as humankind and an attitude that one has the option of either embracing or refraining from. It is commonly seen across people groups of different races, tribes, social strata and even gender. One example existed between the Jews and the Samaritans and is depicted very clearly in the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4. She was greatly surprised that Jesus, a Jew, could ask her for a drink,
‘…Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.’ John 4:9
Jesus’ followers also came face to face with prejudice in their line of ministry.
The Apostle Peter had serious problems until God changed his mind for him. After his encounter with God and getting to know the right way, he went on an assignment to a Gentile’s house – Luke records the following about that experience:
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34, 35
The Apostle Paul who considered himself a minister to the Gentiles often dealt with this matter of prejudice too. His own people had serious misgivings about mixing with the Gentiles and he found himself in trouble with them a number of times. As he writes to the Galatian believers about their new life in Christ, he tells them:
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3:26-29
Is it really possible to live without giving in to prejudice? I believe it’s a choice that each of us can make and trust God to help us live by.
From observation we see that children are a category that often make their friends without much thought about where the other comes from. The problem of prejudice normally sets in when adults begin to involve them in the prevailing societal narratives.
In considering this disposition, someone once said that, ‘children are colour blind, to them all men are equal and tribes and races unknown. Only if we become like them do we belong to God’s family.‘
In the world we live in today, prejudice comes in various forms and can be very extreme at times.
Just because someone is different from us does not make either party superior or inferior to the other. God loves everyone equally and His children need to set a different standard by treating all people with love and respect across the societal divides. It is worth noting the saying by Billy Graham that, ‘at the foot of the cross the ground is level.’ Being cognisant of this fact, we can choose to set the pace and live differently by obeying our Master who told His disciples:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Prayer
Father, please forgive us for the times when we have been overtaken by prejudice and treated others who are different from us unfairly and with disrespect. Help us to love and respect others irrespective of their societal leanings, as we ourselves would love to be treated, and as You require us to, Amen.
