One of the most difficult things for me to do is to deal with my prejudice. The word prejudice produces a negative response. We are accustomed to hearing prejudice defined as something bad or evil — a philosophical mindset to be avoided. According to Webster, prejudice implies usually but not always an unfavorable view or fixed dislike and suggests a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear or intolerance.

I am confident that all people who have reached a certain level of maturity harbor feelings of prejudice. Almost as natural as breathing is to develop a bias toward our comfort zone, our interpretation of what is right and wrong, good or bad.

The Bible is very clear in appealing to our higher reasoning with regard to showing our prejudice. James writes, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the lord of glory with respect of persons.” (James 2:1) Thankfully, my prejudice has nothing to do with race or skin color, but I still have prejudice. I struggle with individual appearance, bodily decoration, exposure of skin, certain clothes or lack of clothes. I react negatively to what some people call music and religious fervor. I am externally biased against many television shows and movies. I’m sorry, I am hopelessly prejudiced.

Jesus did give us a window of human judgment. He recognized that not all of reality should be condoned or accepted. He was very intolerant of human behavior in the temple, “but ye have made it a den of theories.” (Matt. 21:13) Jesus further expressed prejudice against insincere preachers. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:15, 16)

Apparently, prejudice boils down to disapproval of person’s actions, words or behavior. It is not all bad.