Question 1

What kinds of discrimination do we often see?

Accepted Answer

John 4:27Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?”Luke 24:10-11It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.The disciples were shocked to find Jesus having an extended conversation with a Samaritan woman. It was unusual for a respected rabbi to initiate such a one-on-one conversation with a woman, particularly a Samaritan woman with a checkered past. Later, the disciples disbelieved the women who witnessed the angels and the empty tomb. Even today, women are sometimes brushed off, disrespected, or undervalued.Proverbs 20:29The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.1 Peter 5:5In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”Ageism is a common form of discrimination that goes both ways. Young people are written off as foolish and inexperienced. Old people are written off as weak and out-of-touch. While there are natural benefits and drawbacks to both youth and old age, it is dangerous to assume we know what someone is capable of merely based on their age. Scripture encourages us to treat people of all ages with humility and respect.Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.Ephesians 2:14For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.The early church brought people of all kinds together—but that process wasn’t without its racial and cultural conflicts. Ephesians describes a “wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14) between Jews and Gentiles, and even different kinds of Gentiles had conflicts with each other. For instance, highly educated Greeks viewed many other people groups (such as the Scythians) as “barbaric” or “uncivilized.” Today, we live in a very different context, but there are still histories of conflict between people groups and cultural differences that separate us. The early church didn’t force Jews to stop being Jewish or force Gentiles to become Jewish. It allowed for different cultures to meet together and unite in Christ without erasing their distinct cultural identities. That’s something the church today must navigate as well.Acts 4:13The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.1 Corinthians 8:1While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.Differences in education can lead to discrimination. Those of us with more knowledge or formal education may be tempted to become prideful, impatient, or irritated towards others who don’t believe or understand things like we do. On the other hand, those of us with less formal education (and perhaps more real-life experiences) might become frustrated with the pride of ivory tower intellectuals who overestimate the scope and practicality of their knowledge. Discrimination of this kind hinders relationships and opportunities to learn from each other.John 9:1-3As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”In Jesus’ day, people with disabilities were sometimes discriminated against because their disability was viewed as a punishment from God for sin. Even today, it’s sadly not unheard of for a disability to be treated like a character flaw. Sometimes disabled people are ignored or treated as an inconvenience. Other times, disabled people are infantilized and treated in a condescending way.Leviticus 19:15“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.”James 2:1-4My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?Wealth and social station (or the lack thereof) are common reasons for bias and discrimination. Poor people might be seen as unimportant or disreputable, and rich people may be seen as valuable and respected. On the other hand, poor people might be seen as hard-working and sincere and rich people might be seen as selfish, lazy, and entitled. It’s dangerous to let biases cloud our judgment and to assume we know someone’s personality and character based on their financial state.John 1:46“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.Jesus was discriminated against because of where he came from. Nazareth was a town in Galilee, a rural region looked down upon for being rough and uneducated and a place where foreigners lived.1 Samuel 16:6-7When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”Proverbs 11:22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.Often, something as simple as physical appearance (height, beauty, clothing, etc.) can predispose us toward or against someone. God warned Samuel—and warns all of us—to consider someone’s quality of character first and foremost.

Question 2

What does the Bible say about discrimination?

Accepted Answer

James 2:1-9My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin.Discrimination is a sin the Bible takes very seriously. The book of James confronts some Christians for favoring wealthy and powerful people and discriminating against those who are poor.Ephesians 4:29-32Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.Prejudiced language, bitterness, and resentment grieves the Holy Spirit.Acts 6:1As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.In New Testament times, Jews who had become Hellenized (adopted the Greek language and customs) were often viewed as traitors to their faith and their nation by Hebraic Jews who still spoke the language of their ancestors and closely followed their ancient traditions. Even after both Hellenized and Hebraic Jews became Christians, many of those divisions of dress, language, culture, and beliefs remained. Hebraic Jews discriminated against Hellenistic widows by not providing for them as well as they provided for their Hebraic widows. The apostles corrected this by appointing new leaders who were well-respected by both Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews and who would ensure fairness in this important ministry (Acts 6:1-7).Leviticus 19:32“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.”Matthew 19:13-15One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.Children are sometimes treated as unimportant annoyances. Young people are sometimes dismissed as inexperienced. Old people are sometimes seen as weak or out-of-touch. Ageism is a common form of discrimination, and Scripture confronts it clearly, encouraging us to treat both young and old appropriately and with respect.Luke 10:38-42As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”Luke 24:9-11So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.In New Testament times, women were not offered education as men were. In contrast to this discrimination, Jesus praised Mary for listening to his teachings instead of fulfilling the usual duties of hospitality. Similarly, the testimony of women was not considered valid in a Jewish court of law, yet Jesus gave women the honor of being the first witnesses of his resurrection.Acts 4:13The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.Jesus didn’t choose his disciples based on their education. Many of the disciples he chose were fishermen from Galilee, a rural region looked down upon for being rough and uneducated. Of course, Jesus didn’t discriminate against educated people either. He also chose Paul, a “Pharisee of Pharisees” (Philippians 3:5) who lived in Jerusalem and was highly educated (Acts 22:3).Matthew 9:9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”In Jesus’s day, tax collectors were Jews who had betrayed their people by working for the Roman Empire that occupied their land and oppressed their people. Even worse, Rome allowed tax collectors to charge people more than was required so tax collectors could line their own pockets. Naturally, Jewish people hated tax collectors. Yet Jesus called a tax collector to become his disciple—a tax collector who was still sitting in his collection booth, no less! When the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ choice of company, Jesus responded in an interesting way. He didn’t defend Matthew’s behavior or brush it off. Instead, he pointed to how Matthew understood his sinfulness, and that because of that, Matthew understood his need for Jesus. Jesus didn’t brush off sin, but he also recognized that people can change. Rather than discriminating against those who had made poor decisions in the past, Jesus gave people like Matthew an opportunity to repent and start a new life.Luke 6:13-16At daybreak he [Jesus] called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: . . . Matthew . . . Simon (who was called the zealot), . . .Matthew, a tax collector, had a history of collaborating with the Roman oppressors. Simon was a zealot, a Jewish nationalist who was willing to use violent means to overthrow the Roman government. Their political pasts could not be any further apart, yet Jesus chose both of them as his disciples. Political beliefs did matter to Jesus—both Matthew and Simon had to change much of what they believed as they followed Jesus. But Jesus called his disciples from a variety of political belief systems. Despite their differences, Matthew and Simon were called to accept one another and work together for the sake of God’s Kingdom (John 17:21-23).John 9:1-3As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.In Jesus’s day, disabilities were often seen as signs of God’s judgment for sin. His disciples apparently embraced this false idea, and Jesus corrected their prejudicial assumptions.John 1:46“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.Jesus was discriminated against because of where he came from. Nazareth was a town in Galilee, a rural region looked down upon for being rough and uneducated.Luke 10:30-37Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus intentionally challenged the ethnic discrimination of his day. Samaritans were half-Jewish and had mixed their worship of God with pagan practices and false traditions. In the past, Samaritans had attempted to prevent the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple (see the book of Ezra). Jews would go out of their way to avoid traveling through Samaritan territory and interacting with Samaritans. Yet Jesus made the hero of his parable a Samaritan, emphasizing that being a good neighbor involves caring for anyone who crosses our path, even someone from a group we may not like.Acts 10:28Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.Acts 11:1-3Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said.Acts 11:15-18“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”In New Testament times, Jews became ritually unclean if they ate with or entered the homes of Gentiles (see John 18:28). This severe rule was not found in Scripture but was introduced by rabbis to help Israelites honor the original Old Testament laws, which called for Israel’s holiness and separation from the pagan nations around them. For a long time, Israel’s role was to keep the worship of the one true God pure in preparation for the Messiah. After Jesus came, however, that mission changed. It was time for God to fulfill his promise that through Israel, all nations on earth would be blessed (Genesis 18:18; 22:18). Switching from avoiding Gentiles to welcoming Gentiles as fellow believers was a difficult transition for many Jewish Christians! Questions such as “Do Gentile believers need to follow the Jewish law?” became topics of fierce debate (see Acts 15). Jews and Gentiles came from radically different cultures and had strong reasons to dislike and distrust each other. The process was messy, but through God’s grace, Jews and Gentiles all over the world now know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.Matthew 28:19“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”John 17:20-21“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.Ephesians 4:15-16Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Jesus does not discriminate based on race, sex, age, education, or social status—the Bible emphasizes how God calls all sorts of people from all walks of life. During the night before his crucifixion, Jesus specifically prayed for all future believers to be unified by our love for him and for each other. Let’s be intentional in pursuing that!Revelation 7:9After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.In Christ’s coming Kingdom, the vision of a church made up of people from every nation and language will be made complete!

Question 3

What is the difference between discrimination and discernment?

Accepted Answer

1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”Proverbs 11:22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.John 7:24“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”Discrimination is shallow. It makes quick assumptions based on external appearances. Discernment looks more deeply, trying to understand what is in people’s hearts.Matthew 12:33“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.”1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.James 3:13If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.People who discriminate against others judge people based on their assumptions. For instance, “That person is too young and inexperienced to teach me anything.” People with discernment judge people based on their merit—the actual results of their words and actions. For instance, “That person is young, but they are knowledgeable and thoughtful. I could learn a lot from them.”Luke 5:29-31Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”Discrimination is unjust. It writes people off, judging them in broad strokes without getting to know them or giving them a chance. One example of discrimination is the Pharisees rejecting Matthew and his disreputable friends at first glance. In contrast, Jesus showed God’s love to them and offered them an opportunity to repent—and some, such as Matthew, responded to that opportunity.Matthew 1:5-6Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David.James 2:25Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.Rahab was a Canaanite and a prostitute. Nothing about her ungodly upbringing or her past decisions indicated she was someone worthy of respect. Yet when the opportunity presented itself, she chose to believe and honor God—and was honored by becoming the great-great grandmother of King David! Discrimination assumes people can never change. Discernment is cautious, but gives credit or trust when it is due.1 Corinthians 5:1-2I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.1 Corinthians 5:9-12When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.Discernment is just. It judges people rightly, applying boundaries and consequences wisely. While discrimination is legalistic, often making mountains out of molehills, discernment draws the line at the meaningful point—the actual mountain. One example of discernment is Paul warning church members to distance themselves from members who claim to be Christians but live blatantly hypocritical lives. Paul recognized that blatant hypocrisy within the church hurts the church’s witness and encourages other Christians to sin, so he set clear boundaries within the church to hold believers accountable.Proverbs 26:4-5Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.At first glance, Proverbs 26:4-5 gives a clear contradiction. Should we answer fools or ignore them? But the author of Proverbs was far too wise to accidentally place two contradictory Proverbs next to each other. That contradiction is part of the author’s point! These verses highlight a key difference between discernment and discrimination. Discrimination is based on generalizations: “old people are always out of touch” or “young people are always reckless.” Discernment may consider generalizations but withholds judgment until it knows specifics. For instance, it is true that correcting foolish people often leads to pointless arguments (since fools are usually unwilling to learn). But it’s also true that without correction, a fool will never learn humility. Discerning people are inclined to wisely weigh both these principles to apply them to specific situations and particular people. People inclined to discriminate, on the other hand, are likely to universally apply the principle that foolish people can never be corrected and write them off completely.Luke 18:9-14Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Discrimination often comes from a place of pride. We view ourselves as superior (or others as inferior) and are quick to pass judgment. Discernment comes from a place of humility and recognizes that our own failures and limitations could create biases.Galatians 2:11-14When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?”Often, discrimination is driven by fear—either the fear of people who are different from us or the fear of being discriminated against ourselves. The circumcision group feared that Gentiles would undermine their Jewish laws and traditions. Peter feared the circumcision group and began distancing himself from Gentile Christians to stay in the circumcision group’s favor. In contrast, biblical discernment is based on confidence in the truth of God’s Word. Using this discernment, Paul confronted Peter in front of everyone, defending the Gentile Christians and preaching the true grace of God’s Good News.Leviticus 19:18“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.”Matthew 5:43-44“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”Discrimination stems from dislike, judgment, and resentment. It is content with letting bitterness fester. Biblical discernment identifies relational conflicts, but unlike discrimination, it is motivated by love and seeks to resolve those conflicts. Matthew 18 is an excellent example of this. The offender is given clear expectations and boundaries, first through a private conversation, then through bringing someone else to arbitrate, then through a higher authority (the church), all with the desire to bring that person to repentance and restore the relationship.

Question 4

How can I avoid unintentionally discriminating against someone?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 26:18-19Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”Matthew 12:36“I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.”Ephesians 5:4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.Careless words and tasteless jokes about sex, race, or disability can reinforce prejudices and make people feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.While it is wise to watch our words, trying to be politically correct and avoid offence is too low a bar. To overcome our ingrained biases, we must intentionally choose to love and appreciate those who are different from us.Proverbs 12:1To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.Matthew 5:23-24“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”Accepting correction is wise. However, seeking out correction is wiser. Don’t just rely on others to call out your prejudices—actively learn how you can do better. Ask questions. Read articles. Watch interviews. Ponder Scripture. Then take what you learn and live it out. This approach is called a “growth mindset,” and it is a healthy habit for all believers throughout their lives.Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.In group settings, minorities (a woman in a male-dominated field, a young person in a room of older and more experienced people, etc.), might feel less confident in making their thoughts heard. Seek out the thoughts and opinions of those people, and take the time to listen. Showing them that you trust and value them may encourage them to speak up more confidently in the future.Psalm 139:13-14You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.1 Corinthians 12:19-21, 27How strange a body would be if it [a human body] had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” . . . All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.While it’s wise to value the unique backgrounds of others, it’s unwise to push someone forward as a “representative” of a people group (as if they could possibly speak for an entire group’s full range of experiences). Each person is an individual, and most individuals want to be treated as “Steve” or “Jalen” or “Anna,” not as “the disabled guy” or “the black guy” or “our female engineer.” Value people for the entirety of who they are. Don’t reduce them to a single concept as though that defines their entire personality or talents.Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.Ephesians 2:19-21So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. . . . We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.While understanding differences is important, understanding what we have in common binds us together: a shared hobby, a similar sense of humor, a relatable parenting experience, or, most significantly, the same hope in Christ! When we identify these points of connection, we are able to build bonds while still respecting differences.Galatians 6:7-9You will always harvest what you plant. . . . So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.Philippians 4:8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.Changing our thought patterns and correcting our biases takes conscious and repeated effort.Luke 10:30-33Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”When someone is different from us in some way, we might feel anxious about interacting with them. It’s easy to “pass by” such people. In the case of the good Samaritan, he had a very good reason to be anxious. Jews hated Samaritans! Yet the Good Samaritan still went out of his way to care for the injured Jewish man. Our discrimination might not be rooted in hatred, but simply anxiety and unfamiliarity. A good way to overcome discrimination is by tolerating our own discomfort and crossing the road to meet others different from us.1 Corinthians 9:20-21When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.Galatians 3:28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.Some well-meaning people claim they are “colorblind” and don’t see race. Unfortunately, that mindset often leaves a message of “I don’t acknowledge the significance of your culture and I’d prefer for you to fit into my culture.” Race is more than skin tone. It’s a culture. It’s a context. In a similar way, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural, each have their own cultural contexts we should seek to understand. People in the early church came from wildly different cultural experiences. A Roman soldier had a very different life than a Jewish woman. A Greek scholar had little in common with a “barbarian” from Scythia (modern-day Ukraine). Paul’s letters don’t deny the cultural differences within the body of Christ. However, Paul does deny the idea that those differences overshadow the unity we have in Christ. Paul was an expert at finding common ground with others and learning to live in their cultural contexts (rather than forcing others to change to match his cultural context). We should aspire to live in that same way. When we respect and appreciate others—their heritage, their food, their customs, their way of life—that shows we care about them.Acts 10:15-29The voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” The same vision was repeated three times. . . . Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. . . . Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?” They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer.” . . . Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.”Peter grew up in a Jewish culture that forbade eating with Gentiles. It took multiple visions and repeated promptings from the Holy Spirit to prepare Peter for his meeting with Cornelius, the first Gentile convert. We, too, may need several promptings and experiences to become comfortable interacting with different kinds of people. Seek out such experiences: Watch a movie, read a book, or join a bowling league with people who come from different backgrounds than you. Visit a church that’s primarily a different race than your own. Stepping outside our comfort zone can have great benefits—just ask Peter.Leviticus 19:33–34“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”Matthew 28:19“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”Sadly, it can be easy to donate to mission work for people in a distant culture, yet feel uncomfortable or even hostile when people from that same culture move in down the street. Our money and our prayers can make a great difference in peoples’ lives, but love is put to its truest test when we live it out face to face.Acts 8:1Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.Acts 9:1-2Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. . . . He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.1 Timothy 1:15-16This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.Saul led the charge in murdering and imprisoning believers. Yet God changed him and used him in incredible ways. After Jesus appeared to him, Saul became known as the apostle Paul and preached the same Good News he had once persecuted! Paul could never undo the grief and hurt he had caused, but by the grace of God, he repented and was changed. Don’t believe the lie that it is “too late” for you to learn to love people you once feared or hated. Just as God changed Paul, he can change you.Acts 22:17-21“After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ ‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”Philippians 3:5I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.Paul assumed God would want him to minister to Jewish people. After all, Paul was a Jewish as they came! He understood their culture, their history, and their values. But instead, God called Paul to reach the Gentiles (non-Jewish people), and Paul learned to interact with Gentiles in ways that respected their culture and values (see 1 Corinthians 9:20-21). Consider this: Is God calling you to work with people who are different from you in some way?

Question 5

How should Christians respond when we see discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 22:21-22“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not exploit a widow or an orphan.”Deuteronomy 10:17-19“He [the Lord] is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.”Discrimination does not reflect God’s character. As believers, we are called to go out of our way to care for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society.Leviticus 19:18“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.”Ezekiel 33:8-9“If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.”Galatians 6:1-2Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.It is unwise to stay silent when we see discrimination. Sometimes, people who are discriminating are merely ignorant and open to correction. Other times, they may be resistant. But whether an individual will accept correction or not, our silence only enables sin to continue.Galatians 2:11-14When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?”When discrimination is taking place in a group context, particularly in a group of believers, public confrontation and correction may be necessary. Peter was not alone in his sin—other Jewish believers were following him. If Paul had confronted Peter privately, all the other believers who saw Peter discriminating and were following in his footsteps might have persisted in their behavior. Paul confronted the behavior in the moment so that no one present was left in doubt about how believers should behave toward one another.Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”1 Timothy 5:1Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father.1 Timothy 5:19-20Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.Paul was an apostle, and by virtue of that authority, he was better positioned to confront Peter than many of the other believers present. While we should be bold in confronting discrimination, we should also consider the respect we owe the person we are correcting—particularly if that person is in a position of authority over us. Matthew 18 outlines a general step-by-step process for respectfully yet firmly confronting a believer who is sinning.Matthew 19:13-15One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.Luke 19:5-7When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!Galatians 2:12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.Peter was afraid of how the circumcision group might treat him if he ate together with Gentiles, and Paul confronted him for his cowardice and hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21). Jesus was unafraid of what others might think if he took time out of his busy day to bless children (who were considered unimportant) or offer a hated tax collector a second chance. As a result, Jesus was judged by others. Confronting discrimination often means risking being discriminated against ourselves.

Question 6

How should I respond when I’m discriminated against?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 4:2How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?Psalm 6:7My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.Psalm 35:15-17I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly. They mock me and call me names; they snarl at me. How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks.Lamentations 3:49-50My tears flow endlessly; they will not stop until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.Sometimes discrimination is the burden of implicit bias. Other times, discrimination is the grave injustice of explicit bias and prejudice that hurts us deeply. Still other times, it is the buildup of both implicit and explicit discrimination that leads to frustration and despair. Many biblical heroes experienced injustice and cruelty from their enemies. In response, they grieved. They cried out. They expressed their pain to God and called for him to act. This practice is called lament. The first step to overcoming the hurt we experience from discrimination is acknowledging that hurt honestly before God.Proverbs 6:16-19There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.Acts 3:14“You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer.”God hates injustice. When we are grieving and angry over the injustice of discrimination, he is too. Jesus himself experienced a corrupt trial and an unjust death. Know that God doesn’t just see your hurt—he feels it, too.1 Peter 2:1-3Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.1 Peter 2:20Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.To say that discrimination isn’t fair is an understatement. It’s natural to be angry at injustice. Still, don’t stoop to fighting fire with fire. Lashing out at others falls short of reflecting Christ’s character and only gives others an excuse for their discrimination. Endure persecution with patience and pursue justice in an appropriate way—and know your efforts will not go unnoticed by God.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.If others doubt you, distrust you, or think less of you because of your age, gender, race, disability, etc., then continue living like Christ and allow your godly character to disprove their prejudices. You cannot control what other people think of you or how they treat you, but you can live in a way that undermines their false assumptions. In time, that may open some peoples’ eyes.Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.Don’t be too quick to assume the worst of others. Many people don’t even realize they are prejudiced and discriminating against others. It takes someone speaking up to help them understand the problem and begin to change. Start with approaching people privately and confront them with gentleness and humility. This will reduce the chances of their feeling defensive and help them consider your words more thoughtfully. If this is unsuccessful, you may need to take further steps as outlined in Matthew 18.Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.Luke 18:7-8“Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”Romans 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.There is a difference between pursuing justice and pursuing revenge. Justice is change for the better. Revenge inflicts pain to get even. God calls us to pursue justice, not revenge, and he promises that he is the final Judge. There are some injustices that humans ignore and even perpetuate (sexism, racism, ablism, ageism, classism, etc.). Despite our efforts, change is often slow or incomplete. In such instances, pray—not as an alternative to action, but as a guidance for your actions. Ask God for wisdom in how to respond to injustice and trust that he is acting against injustice too.Matthew 5:44-48“Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. . . . But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”Acts 7:59-60As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.Jesus didn’t stop with avoiding revenge. He called us to love our enemies. Stephen, the first martyr, prayed for his enemies even as they killed him! Such love is incredibly difficult—but incredibly powerful. It plants a seed that can break through the hardest soil.Acts 8:1Saul [also known as Paul] was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.Acts 9:1-2Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. . . . He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.1 Timothy 1:15-16This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.Saul led the charge in murdering and imprisoning those who believed in Jesus. Yet God changed him and used him in incredible ways. After Jesus appeared to him, Saul became known as the apostle Paul and preached the same Good News he had once persecuted. No matter how badly we have been hurt, we cannot put certain sins—and certain sinners—outside the reach of God’s grace. Like Paul, the one who persecutes you can also be changed by the grace of God.Matthew 5:43-45“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”Matthew 6:14-15“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Romans 5:8God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.Our world views forgiveness as something that belongs to us, to give or withhold as we choose. Hating our enemies is considered good and natural. But Jesus flipped that on its head. He gave us forgiveness when we had done nothing to deserve his grace, and he gave it at great cost to himself. He calls us to do the same for those who have hurt us. When you forgive someone who has discriminated against you, you are not saying that discrimination is excusable, or that your hurt is not real, or that you will put yourself in a position where you might be harmed. Ultimately, forgiveness is about a change in your heart. It is choosing to pray for their repentance rather than for their downfall. In this way, we imitate the love our heavenly Father has for us.