Prejudice can and often does affect our opinions.  The problem is that sometimes we develop our convictions based upon opinions instead of founding our conviction on truth.  Now we would like to think that OUR opinions are based on truth, but a close examination my prove differently.  It is easy to allow our desires, feelings, experiences, and the opinions of others, to affect OUR opinions.  In other words OUR opinions and other people’s opinions can be all over the board.  They may or may not reflect truth and reality.  If we are not careful this can result in prejudices or biases that can damage or harm others.  Worse yet these prejudices can bring reproach on us, the Church and ultimately on Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prejudice or pre-judging can cause harm to people.  It can also can either cause us to have experiences that are harmful or miss experiences that would be good for us.  In Dr. Suess’s charming story, “Green Eggs and Ham”, Sam I am breaks through an obvious prejudice through sheer perseverance.  While this story may be a great tool to reveal the oftentimes silly roots of our prejudices, it does not give us the tools to rightly judge what is good and right.  Dr. Suess (Theodor Seuss Geisel) certainly was gifted with the ability to illustrate ideas in a charming and entertaining way.  “Horton Hears a Who” is a good example of a story that powerfully promotes the value of a person.  It is summed up with the statement; “A person is a person, no matter how small.”  Yet when this statement was used by the pro-life movement Geisel vehemently protested, revealing one of his own prejudices.  If you ever wondered how people could be so supportive of killing innocent unborn children, it is because of their prejudices or pre-judgments.

So how can we as Christians avoid prejudices that can be so damaging to people and our cause?  The answer is simple, but not necessarily easy.  Know the truth.  The retort from those who rationalize is, “What is truth?”  The source of truth is God’s Word.  The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.  If we begin with what God has said, accept it as truth, then our thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be revealed in proper perspective for us to adequately understand what is good, righteous, and true.  A lot of times our prejudices are merely a symptom of our failure to seek for the truth in a matter.  As the writer of the Gospel of Luke begins he forwards with this statement:

“inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” (Lu 1:1-4 NAS95)

Luke was not just telling us a story, but presenting us with the truth in its purity.  We would be wise to do likewise.  If we base our opinions on established truth we will be able to develop convictions that are worth dying for.  What I am talking about goes way deeper than our mere intellect.  Jesus taught us to ask and we would receive, seek and we would find, knock and it would be opened up to us.  He also promised us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

“”but when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative, but whatever he hears, he will speak; and he will disclose to you what is to come. “he will glorify me, for he will take of mine and will disclose it to you.” (Joh 16:13-14 NAS95)

By avoiding prejudices we establish convictions based on truth.  Truth is defendable, both by the Word of God and the test of time.  Wisdom will vindicate her children.  We will still be accused of being prejudiced, but only by those unwilling to research the truth.

Question opinions, try the spirits, put not your trust in your own abilities or logic, trust God.

“but examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” (1Th 5:21 NAS95)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1Th 5:21 AV)

Bob Gunderson