Introduction.
I. One of the problems of all men, even Christians, is the problem of prejudice.II. Webster defines prejudice as, "preconceived judgment or opinion, an opinion or leaning
adverse to anything without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge." Thus, prejudice is
being down on something we are not up on.A. Prejudice is close-mindedness.
l. Light travels at an amazing speed until it hits the human mind.
2. A Scottish preacher once prayed, "Oh, Lord, may we be always right, for Thou
knowest we will never change our minds."3. A prejudice mind is one that the truth cannot penetrate.
B. Prejudice is condemnation without investigation.
l. Spencer said, "There is a principle which is a bond against all information, which is
proof against all argument and which cannot fail to keep the man in everlasting
ignorance. That principle is `condemnation before investigation.'"2. Prejudice is a great time saver: it enables us to form convictions without bothering to
get the facts.III. Men manifest prejudice in numerous ways.
I. Prejudice Toward The Truth
A. Statements about truthl. C.C. Colten said, "The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is
Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility."2. Plato said, "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy
of life is when men are afraid of the light."3. Galileo was tried for heresy, when called before the Inquisition, because he affirmed
the revolution of the earth. He said to the judges, "Here is my telescope; look
through it and you shall see the moons of Jupiter." They were so firmly convinced that
the earth did not revolve around the sun that they refused to look.B. Biblical examples
l. Pharisees (Matt. 13:15). See 2 Cor. 4:3,4.
2. Jewish multitude (Matt. 27:21-26).
3. Jews in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:44-46).
C. Some examples of prejudice against the truth.
l. Some are prejudice against baptism.
a. They refuse to even consider that baptism is essential.
b. Mk. 16:16; Gal. 3:36,27; Acts 2:38; 22:16; l Pet. 3:21.
2. Some are prejudice against keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit holy.
a. They argue that smoking, drinking, using drugs is acceptable though many admit it
harms the body.b. Some say fornication is natural and acceptable, and ignore the scriptures. (l Cor.
6:13-20).3. Some are prejudice against the church. (Acts 28:22).
a. They argue the church is unimportant and refuse to listen to the scriptures.
b. Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23,25.
4. Many are prejudice against the Deity of Jesus.
a. They accept Jesus was a good man, but not the Son of God.
b. Matt. 16:16; Rom. 1:4; Jno. 20:30,31.
5. Many are prejudice against the elders of the church.
a. They contend elders have no authority and are to lead by example only.
b. Many think the church should be controlled by the minister or the majority of the
membership.c. Acts 20:28; l Pet. 5:1-4.
6. Many are prejudice against the authority of the scriptures.
a. They put human judgment, councils, the majority, feelings, dreams above the
scriptures.b. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Col. 3:23; Gal. 1:6-8; Matt. 15:9.
7. Many are prejudice against works.
a. They argue that works have nothing to do with salvation.
b. They seek to remove some scriptures from the Bible. (Jas. 2:14-17, 20, 24, 26; Eph.
2:10).c. It is true we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:5, 8,9), and it is true that we can not be
saved by works of merit. (Rom. 5:1; 11:6).d. It is not true that work of faith have no part in our salvation.
D. Reasons
l. Some will not accept truth because it contradicts what they want to do or will cause
some lost.2. Some will not accept the truth because it puts someone they love in a bad light.
3. Some will not accept the truth because of hate for a person or thing.
4. Some will not accept the truth because they are ignorant of how men learn and
determine truth.a. It does not come through visions, dreams, baptism of the Holy Spirit, feelings,
experiences, etc.b. It comes from hearing God's word. (Rom. 10:17; Jno. 6:44,45.)
5. Some are blinded to the truth because they do not know how to determine binding
truth.a. Binding statements (Mk. 16:16).
b. Binding commands (Acts 2:38).
c. Binding examples versus optional examples
6. Some cannot see the truth because they believe Satan's lies - there is no truth or we
cannot know it or it makes no difference.E. How to overcome prejudice against the truth.
l. The truth makes men free. (Jno. 8:32).
2. The truth begets. (Jas. 1:18).
3. The truth purifies. (l Pet. 1:22,23).
4. The truth produces faith. (Eph. 1:13).
5. The truth sanctifies. (Jno. 17:17, 19).
6. We shall be judged by the truth. (Rom. 2:2).
F. Instead of being prejudiced toward the truth we should:
l. Hear the truth. (Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5).
2. Believe the truth. (2 Thess. 2:12, 13).
3. Obey the truth. (l Pet. 1:22).
4. Love the truth (2 Thess. 2:10).
5. Teach the truth. (Eph. 4:15).
6. Live the truth. (3 Jno. 3,4; Gal. 2:14).
7. Rightly handle the truth. (2 Tim. 2:15).
G. Need to be like Bereans (Acts 17:11, 12).
II. Prejudice Toward Other People
A. Basis of prejudice
l. Race
2. Wealth
a. All rich are merciless, dishonest, and greedy.
b. All poor people are inferior.
3. Appearance
a. Clothes - value, style
b. Size - weight, height
c. Beauty
d. Hair - style, length
4. Nationality
5. City (Jno. 1:46).
6. Education
a. Too little
b. Too much
c. Wrong school or major
7. Occupation
a. All doctors are quacks
b. All lawyers are liars.
c. All tax-collectors are evil. (Lk. 18:9-14).
8. Gender
a. All men are abusive or bad.
b. Women are inferior workers.
9. Age
a. All young people are going to the dogs.
b. All old folks are old foggies.
c. Middle age people are unable to learn.
10. Philosophy or religion
11. Handicaps
12. Sinful past
13. Doing good
a. Arrogant if try to do right.
14. Marital state
a. Divorced
b. Never married
B. Causes
l. Ignorance
a. Wrong to generalize
b. Need to get acquainted with others.2. Hate
3. Hurt
4. Economic advantage
5. Makes one feel superior
6. Tradition
7. Indifference
8. Insensitive
9. Prejudging
a. Some decide they do not like a certain elder, teacher, preacher, neighbor before they
meet them or get acquainted.10. Arrogance
C. Overcoming
1. Christ died for all. (l Tim. 2:16.)
2. Christianity is worldwide in scope. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15,16.).
3. In Christ there is neither Jew or Greek. (Gal. 3:28).
4. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34, 35).
5. All men are made in image of God (Gen. 1:26,27).
6. In the body of Christ men are reconciled not only to God but also unto each other.
(Eph. 2:12-18).7. God looks on the heart of men - so should we. (l Sam. 16:7).
8. Prejudice is unmerciful and violates Golden Rule (Matt. 5:7; Jas. 2:1-13; Matt. 7:12).
9. Robs us of some friendships and blessings.
10. Realize prejudice creates hate and keeps people from reaching full potential.
11. We are to do good to all men. (Gal. 6:10).
III. Prejudice Toward New Methods And Ideas
A. Problem stated
l. Some of us are set in our ways.
2. We become comfortable with the old and become antagonistically opposed to any
new idea whether scriptural or not.3. "We have always done it that way."
4. "Prove all things." (1 Thess. 5:21).
B. Methods and ideas opposed in the past, but accepted by most today as scriptural.
l. Individual communion cups
2. Passing a contribution plate, rather than laying it on the table.
3. Bible classes (Matt. 28:19).
4. Bible school literature
5. Eating in the church building
6. Using screens and projectors, public address systems, etc.
7. Baptistries instead of rivers
8. Using young people
9. Changing order of worship
10. How to take care of orphans
C. Methods and ideas presenting opposed
l. Bible hour
2. Cooperative preaching of the gospel
3. Using notes for prayer
4. Signing a purpose card
5. Separating collection from Lord's supper
6. Ending a service with a hymn rather than a prayer.
7. Beginning a sermon with a prayer or praying during a sermon.
8. Not having an invitation at every service
9. Youth ministers and programs
10. Listening to others sing at church.
a. One part sing
b. Group sing
11. Planning a service
12. Letting women teach children especially baptized boys.
13. Nurseries and training rooms
D. Unscriptural methods and ideas
l. Dancing in worship
2. Using loose language to refer to God
3. Dividing the assembly into different age groups
4. Shouting and screaming
5. Bible classes that are non-Bible classes.