The wise counsel of the Apostle Paul is that we should think upon those things which are true, honest, just ; pure, lovely and of good report. If prejudice is allowed to reign in our hearts, it will adversely affect our judgment, and right thinking will only be proportionate to our overcoming this sin. What then is prejudice ? The following definition (origin unknown) is worth quoting in full :
“Prejudice is pre-judgment. It is forming an opinion without examining the facts ; it is hastily accepting a conclusion without investigating the evidence upon which it rests ; it is allowing ourselves to be hoodwinked and deceived, when the slightest reflection would keep us from such a mistake ; it is being satisfied with common opinion, when we should demand the proof ; it is rejecting everything at first sight which does not confirm our former convictions or suit our former tastes or agree with our preconceived ideas ; it is a revolt against the unpalatable and distasteful ; it is a deep-seated reluctance to part with that to which we have been accustomed—a persistent hesitation to accept as true what we have not hitherto believed ; a wicked unwillingness to admit that we can be wrong and others right. It favours or condemns upon the slightest pretext ; it recoils or embraces as it is moved by caprice. It is not limited to persons—has to do with places and creeds and parties and systems : hence its influence is extensive and its evils manifold. Prejudice does not hold opinions : it is held by them. Its views are like plants that grow upon the rocks, that stick fast, though they have no rooting. It looks through jaundiced eyes ; it listens with itching ears ; it speaks in partial and biased accents. It clings to that which it should relinquish and relinquishes that to which it should cling. When beaten it remains defiant ; when disproved and vanquished it is sullen and obstinate .There is nothing too low for its love or too noble for its hatred ; nothing is too sacred for its attacks or too deserving for its aspersions. It is cruel as it is universal, as unjust as it is relentless ; as unforgiving as it is conceited and ill-formed.”
Perhaps few of us are so extreme in our prejudices that all the aspects of this definition would apply, but can any of us be so biased that he fails to recognize that here is defined at least one aspect of prejudice of which he is sometimes guilty ?
The Apostle Paul wrote of those in the first century whose biting tongues made false accusations against their brethren. Idle gossip has always been a cause of false opinions on the part of those who, foolishly, are influenced by derogatory statements against others. There are some who are persistently guilty of speaking unkindly of the true or imaginary faults of others. Those who heed such gossip without examining the facts, or making allowances, can scarcely avoid building up prejudices in their own minds.
Think of the damage which unchristlike prejudice might have done to Onesimus, who once had been unfaithful, or to Peter, whose one-time denial of his Master has seemed to some so hard to explain I Think of the prejudice against Jesus, during the period of his ministry, multiplied by acceptance of false accusations I Common opinion was against the Son of God. But Nicodemus was one who, though he came under cover of darkness, did investigate some of the false charges made against this righteous man. Could the words of Jesus have left him in any doubt concerning the truth of those things whereof he sought to know the facts ? Blind acceptance of common opinion was not the way chosen by Nicodemus.
All down the centuries there have been men and women who, in accepting the Truth, have had to discard former deep-seated convictions and preconceived ideas. When Truth penetrated the darkness of prejudice they were face to face with a problem which, for some, has proved too great : should they admit that they were wrong and others right ? Some have revolted against what was right because it was unpalatable or distasteful. They have clung to their prejudices in an effort to hide facts which would have demanded an open admission that in the past they had been wrong and others right.
An Enlightened Decision
In his early days the Apostle Paul had been exceedingly zealous” for the traditions of his fathers and “beyond measure” he persecuted the Church of God. It was the direct “revelation of Jesus Christ” that penetrated the barrier of prejudice. Paul knew what would be said and thought about his complete change of front, but to a man of his calibre what other people said or thought was a secondary consideration. To Paul, the first thing that mattered was, what was right—what was pleasing to God ? He would not allow prejudice to influence him when his eyes had been opened. Public opinion was of no consequence : God must be served.
Our quotation says : “Prejudice does not hold opinions : it is held by them”. How true ! Paul was brought up as a Pharisee. Jesus said of the Pharisees : “Ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own tradition”. They were bound, imprisoned, by the traditions of their sect. Paul was among the few who shook off his bonds of prejudice, albeit through special revelation from God.
We can readily detect the strong prejudices of present-day orthodox believers. We understand how difficult it is to break down resistance to the Truth, Is there not a danger that in other ways our prejudices may be just as strong ? Do we resist sometimes what is true or right because prejudice causes us to avoid facing the facts ? How shall we decide what and when to relinquish; what and when to hold fast ? Are we influenced within our own circle by common opinion, or do we test common opinion by standards which are incontrovertible ?
Some of our religious contemporaries would say that Christadelphians are prejudiced. Of most of us that would probably be true in certain directions, but we hope not in basic beliefs. If our fundamental doctrines are sound, they can be put to the test. Truth will stand investigation : it can be examined in the light of God’s Word which establishes principles indicating what is right. It can be demonstrated that we believe and make a stand for that which is right, because of what God revealed and not because we are prejudiced by tradition. We may have followed in the footsteps of our parents. In the early days prejudice might have played a part but, before we are baptized into the exalted name of Jesus, we have to show in the presence of responsible brethren that we are making an enlightened decision for Christ : that we are not accepting him as our Saviour through prejudice emanating from family tradition : that we are not deciding to follow Jesus merely because our fathers did before us.
As we journey through life, like all other men, we are subjected to the influences of our environment. There is a constant need to check ourselves against the perfect pattern of our elder brother, that we may discard all unworthy characteristics and cultivate a nature which accords with that of the Master.
If what we do or say or think is not according to God’s Word, it behoves us to overcome the prejudice which bids us continue. A spirit of defiance or sullen obstinacy must not be exhibited by a brother of Christ when he discovers that, perhaps for a long time, he has been following a wrong course, dictated by prejudice. That which is in keeping with the will of God will triumph in the end. Our duty is to strive in all our ways to accomplish by our personal behaviour many “little victories”, as a contribution to spiritual progress which utimately must bear fruit in those who have fought faithfully against the hampering effects of prejudice.Our Father’s will is that, when Truth and Righteousness emerge triumphant from the surrounding darkness, the victory over all that offends shall be a victory in which you and I can have a part.
“If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”. Right thinking is the only way leading to right acting. When we see how enslaved people around us are by their prejudices, shall we think again and on our bended knees ask God to open our eyes and cleanse our hearts that we may perceive and overcome our own prejudices to the honour and glory of His Holy Name ?
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay