Are You Prejudiced?
by Robert Waters
I. Introduction
A. We're going to study something that effects all of us - something
called PREJUDICE.
1. We may think that we are completely free of it, but when we make
an honest study of it and honestly examine self, most likely each
of us will see that we are guilt of it to some degree.
2. Prejudice has been a problem since early times and nothing I say
or anything else will erase the problem.
a. But a careful study of the cause of the problem could be a
help to us who are guilty, to help rid ourselves of it.
b. No doubt many of us are guilty of prejudice and don't realize it.
B. Paul gave a specific command against this thing - thus classifying
it as sin: "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and
the elect angles that you observe these things without prejudice,
doing nothing by partiality" (1 Tim. 5:21)
1. A man once was invited to hear a sermon on a certain subject; he
said, "I'll come but my mind is already made up."
a. This is an example of prejudice. Could he profit by going?
2. I once gave man tract on a certain subject. He said, "I will read it
but with a closed mind." Another example of prejudice.
C. Prejudice is close-mindedness.
1. Many people have a closed mind when it comes to certain things.
a. Might be several things.
b. Or might be just a few.
1) Might be deep seated.
2) Or might be just slightly prejudice.
2. The most difficult thing to open is a closed mind.
3. It is told that a Scottish preacher once prayed, "Oh Lord, may we
always be right, for thou knowest we will never change our minds."
a. Isn't this pretty close to right?
b. We've seen people who have made up their mind on some Bible
subject and there is no changing it.
1) Evidence can be piled upon top of evidence and it has no
effect upon a closed mind.
4. TEST: When was the last time you changed your view on something
due to the efforts of others?
a. It is true that we should make a through study of Bible subjects
before we draw our conclusions, but sometimes we fail to get enough
evidence and we therefore come to the wrong conclusion.
b. Which is the greater sin: to be wrong on some teaching which
you are still studying, or to be closed minded and not accept
new evidence when it is presented?
c. A Bible teacher or preacher must form an opinion on numerous things.
1) The odds are overwhelming that he is going to draw the
wrong conclusions on some things.
2) If he doesn't recognize this and keep an open mind he will
continue to be in error and to teach it to others.
d. If we can think of instances in recent history of having
changed .... prejudice is probably no great problem, but if
can't may have a real problem.
II. Why is it so important that we study about and seek to
avoid Prejudice?
A. Because prejudice is the greatest enemy of truth.
B. Because it is the greatest tool of Satan.
C. People who have differences can never come to agreement
so long as even one is prejudice, either toward the other
person, or regarding the thing over which they differ.
1. Evidence will change an open mind.
2. But a closed mind doesn't look for evidence (except for his
own views) and if it is set before him he will not accept it.
D. Think about all the differences between professed Christians and you've
got to see the importance of a study of this subject.
1. People sometimes draw their conclusions on things without even
studying - it is just a matter of how they feel about it.
2. We should not draw a conclusion on a Bible matter without first
diligently studying it.
a. Even if we do this, we should continue to study and
receive any new evidence from any source at any time.
b. To do less is evidence that one is not confident with
his position, and that he has a closed mind.
III. Bitter Fruits of Prejudice:
A. Blind indifference
1. Matt. 13:14-15 "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart
is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes
and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them."
2. Prejudice causes one to fail to believe what he sees and hears.
B. Inflict bodily harm on others (Stephen Acts 7); (Christ Acts 3:14-15).
C. Mockery (Matt. 13:54-57) "And when he was come into his own
country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they
were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom,
and [these] mighty works? Is not this the carpente r's son? is not
his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and
Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this [man] all these things? And they were
offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without
honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." Acts 17:32
D. Dishonesty (Matt. 28:11-15) "Now when they were going, behold,
some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief
priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled
with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto
the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole
him [away] while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears,
we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and
did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among
the Jews until this day."
IV. Causes Of Prejudice
A. Lack of love for truth.
1. When one is prejudice, the number one cause is that he just doesn't
want the truth enough to reject or fight against the things that are
trying to keep him from seeing (will talk about them later).
2. Love for truth should cause determination to learn the truth at all costs.
3. If there is no love there will be no determination and if no determination
we will draw conclusions without full and sufficient examination, and
that's prejudice.
B. Pride
1. Pride is often a cause of prejudice.
2. If one doesn't diligently search for the truth, or accept ...
regarding something, it may be because he cannot bring himself
to admit that he is wrong.
a. We can't regard a man very highly who will not admit that
he was wrong.
b. Pride may well be the cause and it is a great sin.
1) Prov. 6:16,17 "These six things doeth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look..."
2) Prov. 16:5 - "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord"
C. Some are prejudice because someone has helped them to be.
1. If you had listened to good friends and family all your life
say that "you can't trust a black" you would probably be
prejudice when you meet one.
2. If all your life you hear people say, "Yankees are no good - they think
they are superior", then when you meet one you are going to be prejudice.
3. False teachers often deliberately make remarks to prejudice
the hearers toward someone who opposes his teachings.
a. This is often done in debates.
b. When a man can't defend his position with evidence, reason
and logic, he resorts to making prejudicial remarks to keep
his people from accepting the truth.
1) It has worked well for many false teachers.
2) As we said, "prejudice is a great tool of the devil".
3) Had an informal debate with preacher of Apostolic church.
After my presentation the preacher didn't make much defense.
He let on like they taught same thing.
Later I found out that in my absence he began to talk to his
congregation about what I said, which he believed to be erroneous.
4. It is just a fact that other people can help one to be prejudice whether
they mean to or not.
5. In studying Bible subjects, we must recognize that there is the possibility of
our being prejudice and therefore seek to recognize it and fight to overcome it.
a. Recognizing it might be a problem.
b. Telling other people your are open minded will not help.
c. Such will make them think you are trying to convince yourself.
D. One may be prejudice and not receive some truth because to do so
would result in something that he doesn't want to happen.
1. Maybe he is afraid he will hurt his parents, children, friend,
or wife if he faces the facts and accepts and stands for the truth.
2. One may be afraid to go against the majority, or doesn't want
to be called narrow, or "anti", etc;
E. One may be prejudice regarding a matter that he is practicing and
which he doesn't want to give up.
1. We will never quit a bad habit until we overcome or remove
prejudice so as to admit it is wrong!
2. Man stated to me he was hooked on something and that he
would give anything if he could quit.
a. He may not have ever quit - don't know, but he was one step
closer than one who will not admit being hooked.
3. The thing called prejudice can keep us from seeing the truth
on anything that we ought to give up.
V. One can be prejudice toward other people.
A. One of Webster's definitions of prejudice is "an irrational
attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a
race, or their supposed characteristics."
B. Nathanael was prejudiced against anyone coming out of Nazareth.
1. John 1:46 "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing
come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
2. Was prejudice against a city, but not so bad that couldn't accept
evidence. verse 47-50 "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and
saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael
saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said
unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig
tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou
art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said
unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest
thou? thou shalt see greater things than these."
C. The Pharisee was prejudiced against the publican (Lk. 18:9-14) R E A D
1. He put the Publican, who was praying nearby, into the same
category with all other publicans.
2. He judged guilt by association.
a. We need to beware of categorizing.
b. For example, if we know a certain person of a certain race
or political party who is dishonest and shiftless, we need
to beware of categorizing every one of that category as being . . .
3. It should help us to overcome prejudice toward people if we consider:
a. Christ died for all (I Tim. 2:6);
b. Christianity is worldwide in scope;
c. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile;
d. "God is no respector of persons";
e. And God looks on the hearts of men, not their external circumstances.
VI. What Can WE Do About Prejudice?
A. When it comes to dealing with other people who are prejudice - if
trying to teach someone, it might help to tactfully tell the person you think
he may have have a problem with prejudice.
1. Talk about what prejudice is - how we get it and how it effects us.
2. Be patient in studying with . . .
a. Some we just as well give up on - totally closed mind
cannot be penetrated.
b. But we can teach many, if we have their respect, are
competent teachers, and have patience.
B. What can we do about our own prejudice?
1. We have got to realize what truth is.
a. Truth is not what one believes to be right, one can believe
wrong. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the end
thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. 14:12)
b. There is just one truth!
1) Truth harmonizes with other truth.
2) Error contradicts truth.
2. To fight prejudice we can program our minds to love and seek truth.
a. Pray about it, meditate upon it, make up your mind that
you're going to be right.
b. Be diligent in seeking after truth.
1) If studying a difficult passage, and really want to find the
truth, get the different views - best commentary is the Bible
(other passages).
2) Pray for God's help that you might find the truth, but let it
be a prayer of faith (James 1: 5-8) "If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing
wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with
the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive
any thing of the Lord. A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways."
a) If don't believe God does anything might as well call it meditation.
b) I believe in the power of positive thinking, but I don't believe that it
compares to the power of prayer and what God does through
providence.
3. Whenever we study something, we can't study to prove what we
wish were true; not and find the truth.
4. We must make up our mind that we are going to find the
real truth, the whole truth, and practice it regardless
of who will oppose us and any other consequence.
5. Those who have the truth are almost always willing to share it
with others, whereas those who are prejudice usually wish to
avoid open Bible study.
a. They make excuses: "Don't have time; won't do any good" etc.
b. The problem more likely is that they are not confident with
their position.
Conclusion
I. Someone once said, "The reception of any truth depends upon
one's attitude toward it."
A. Attitude is defined in the dictionary as: "Position assumed as a
result of a particular mood or state of mind."
B. If one is seeking to please himself only, such parts of truth
that suit will be accepted.
C. Improper attitudes that lead to refusal to accept ALL of truth
and abide therein hinders - even prevents salvation.
II. R.L. Whiteside said, "Prejudice is a robber which many of us
entertain in our hearts. It robs us of generous feelings which we
would have for others, and leaves us with tormentings of hate. By
shutting our eyes and stopping our ears it robs us of many precious
truth, and leaves the dross of distorted opinions. It robs us of
life and shuts us up in the blackness of our own ignorance. No
other robber can leave us so poor. Do not let your light or life,
brother, be made poor by prejudices."
III. Remember the man's prayer, "Oh Lord may we always be right for
thou knoest we will never change our minds."
A. It would be nice if we were always right.
B. But we're NOT always right - that is a fact! and we'd better
recognize this thing called prejudice, seek the truth and change
when the evidence is against us.
C. Remember, prejudice is not just something that possesses other
people, it effects us all to some degree.
1. It may be difficult to recognize, and takes a lot of effort to overcome.
2. But whether it be 1) habits ...: 2) things not doing that need
to be doing...; 3) attitudes toward people or things; or 4)
our study of scriptures (conclusion reached) we must not give
up in the battle against the devil's greatest weapon - PREJUDICE!
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