"Prejudice" is defined as:
1) a judgment or opinion formed before the facts are known
2) irrational hatred for other races, creeds, religions, etc.
3) unreasonable bias
Most people experience prejudice due to ignorance, simply
because that’s the way they were raised. Their parents were
prejudice, and so the children learned to be prejudice also.
But, does that make it right? Just because our parents were
a certain way, does that mean we are to be the same way?
Isn’t prejudice and racism a sin? Does God teach us to love
or hate others? Should a person be "measured" by what
nationality he/she is, or by the way he/she talks, walks or
even by the color of their skin?
The Bible states that we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 states: "There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Racism and prejudice is a sin, according to God. If you
read James 2:8-9 you find: "If ye fulfill the royal law
according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself, ye do well; But if ye have respect of persons, ye
commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."
We are WHAT?! Transgressors? That even SOUNDS horrible. Ye
commit sin, IF ye do not LOVE your neighbor. Did it say IF
your neighbor was rich or poor; black or white; Indian or
Greek: lived on the right side of the tracks or the wrong
side of the tracks??? The Bibles says we are to love thy
neighbor...period.
God accepts everyone from every race, culture or nation. He
doesn’t look at the color of the skin, color of the hair,
or color of the eyes. He looks at the heart of a person.
Go on to Acts 10:34-35 and read:
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive
that God is no respecter of persons; But in every nation he that
feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."
Oh, wait a minute..."and worketh righteousness"...what’s that?
RIGHTEOUSNESS - doing what is right; virtuous; good,
excellent, pleasant, moral. I think you get the picture.
If God is no respecter of persons, then why should we be? If
we want to be more Christ-like, then we should get rid of
the prejudice and racism that plagues so many of us today.
No matter how a person is raised, racism and prejudice is
wrong and is a sin, and unpleasant in God’s eyes. We all
want to do what is right and just, so let’s all work on
this area of our lives, and really try to love our neighbor.
Please pray with me:
Father, I come to you right now, in the name of Jesus Christ,
your loving and perfect Son, who has set the wonderful
example of love. I ask you, Lord to please help me rid myself
of this sin of prejudice. I want to be a living example, as
Christ Jesus was. I want to love all people and show that
love to all people. I know Lord, that I cannot possibly do
this without You in my life; with You taking control of my
life, and I give this sin to You right now, dear God, in
Jesus name. And, by the power and authority of Jesus Christ,
I command you, Satan, to take a hike! In Jesus name I command
you to flee from my mind, my body and my soul. I will be a
living sacrifice unto my Lord Jesus. I will no longer allow
you to rule that part of me that ridicules others, and
dislikes others just because of who they are! I am a child
of the King, and in Jesus name, I command you to flee!
Father, I praise You and I thank You, Lord for leading me
down the path of righteousness and helping me in my time
of need. I thank You Lord, for breaking the chains of bondage
that wrap tightly around my soul, hindering me in my
precious walk with You. Cleanse me, O Lord! Wash me white as
snow, in the name of Jesus. AMEN.
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