«I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality» (l Timothy 5:21).
PREJUDICE IS A NEGATIVE MENTAL ASSESSMENT of something or someone, which does not come from direct contact, but from prior experience without complete knowledge. There are racial, gender, social status, political, age, professional, religious, ethnic, ethical, educational and financial prejudices.
According to the Greeks there were two groups of people: the Greeks and the barbarians, which were those who could not speak the Greek language.
Saul was convinced that Christianity was a plague. He shared his nation’s pride and prejudices, and fed them through jealousy, speculation, fanaticism, and superiority. That is, until his encounter with Christ in Acts 9 transformed him forever.
Now, years later, he counsels Timothy to be circumcised, not because God required it, but so that prejudices would not weaken his ministry. Ellen G. White clarifies: «Yet while he conceded this much to Jewish prejudice, he believed and taught circumcision or uncircumcision to be nothing and the gospel of Christ everything» (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 204)
She then adds that when we work to free those who are bound by prejudice and ignorance we have to be wise like Paul:
Be very careful not to present the truth in such a way as to arouse prejudice, and to close the door of the heart to the truth . . . If the love of Christ is revealed in all your efforts, you will be able to sow the seed of truth in some hearts; God will water the seed sown, and the truth will spring up and bear fruit to His glory (Evangelism, p. 140).
We visited a notary public to ask if we could borrow his land to set up a tent for evangelism. He was about to sign the paperwork when his son interrupted and shouted: «Don’t get involved with religious people! I know what I’m talking about!» Instantly, the father replied, «I was prejudiced too, but I no longer am,» and signed the paperwork which authorized us to use his property at no cost.
What made him lose his prejudice? Our appearance? The services we offered? Certain knowledge at an institutional or doctrinal level? Nothing of the sort. He simply said, «I know an elderly Adventist lady. If all Adventists are like her, I am confident and assured.»
Do not be prejudiced. If God is not prejudiced toward us, why would we be prejudiced toward others?
Do not build prejudices; instead, tear them down with lots of prayer and set a good example, because “a kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 73).
