How can I overcome prejudice?

1 Samuel 16:7The 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.”

Isaiah 53:2My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

Philemon 1:9-16Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems Onesimus ran away for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Stereotypes abound—prejudices against all kinds of people. But the real person is inside; the body is only the shell, their temporary housing. It is wrong to judge a person by their outward appearance; the real person inside may be a person of incredible beauty. Even Jesus may not have had the tall, handsome body often attributed to him. When the prophet Isaiah described the coming Savior, he said, “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance” (Isaiah 53:2).

Esther 3:5-6When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

The Bible encourages us never to form opinions about an entire group of people (including by race, nationality, church denomination, or club affiliation) based on the actions of a single individual.

Proverbs 14:20-21The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.” It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

Proverbs 14:31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

James 2:3-4If 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?

God condemns prejudice based on financial well-being or socio-economic class. Money is not a measure of character. Simply treat others as you would like to be treated.

Matthew 18:10“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”

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 Timothy 5:1Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.

The Bible forbids prejudice and discrimination based on age. Maturity is not always a function of age. Be attentive to the character and qualifications of young and old alike. To youth belongs the future, to old age belongs the honor of bringing us all to this point. Youth has the opportunity to win the world. Old age has the experience of victory. We should honor all for their gifts and contributions.

Mark 6:2-3The next Sabbath he [Jesus] began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Mark 6:4Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”

Familiarity breeds contempt. If we know someone well, we don’t tend to respect that person. Actually, when we know someone well, and if that person has integrity, we should honor that person even more. The people of Nazareth were subject to prejudice by other Jews, yet they clearly were not above looking down on Jesus. Prejudice involves looking down on others in order to lift ourselves up. God never writes off entire families or everyone of a particular occupation, and perhaps that is why Jesus was born into the family of a carpenter in Nazareth rather than the family of a king in Jerusalem. God loves each person, regardless of homeland, family, race, or occupation.

Luke 10:33“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”

John 4:9The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

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 10:34-35Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

Acts 11:18When 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.”

God condemns racial prejudice. Since God created all ethnic groups and races, they deserve equal respect and treatment.

John 1:46“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

We must not be prejudiced because of the place where a person grew up. The “other side of the tracks” is often viewed negatively, but God lives on both sides of the tracks.