The term "prejudicial" refers to forming an opinion or judgment before having the evidence for its truth or usefulness. In a biblical context, prejudicial attitudes and actions are often cautioned against, as they can lead to injustice, discrimination, and a lack of love and understanding among individuals and communities.

Biblical Warnings Against Prejudice

The Bible consistently warns against partiality and prejudice, emphasizing the importance of justice and equality. In James 2:1-4 , the apostle James admonishes believers: "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

This passage highlights the sinful nature of prejudicial behavior, particularly when it leads to favoritism based on external appearances or social status. The call is to treat all individuals with equal respect and dignity, reflecting the impartial nature of God.

God's Impartiality

Scripture affirms that God does not show favoritism, and His people are called to emulate this divine attribute. In Acts 10:34-35 , Peter declares, "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." This revelation came as Peter witnessed the Holy Spirit being poured out on Gentile believers, demonstrating that God's grace and salvation are available to all, regardless of ethnic or cultural background.

The Call to Love and Unity

The Bible calls believers to love one another and to strive for unity, transcending prejudicial barriers. Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the unity and equality of all believers in Christ, breaking down societal and cultural divisions.

Furthermore, Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-39 emphasizes the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Prejudicial attitudes are incompatible with the command to love one's neighbor, as they hinder the ability to see others as God sees them.

Examples of Prejudice in Scripture

The Bible provides several examples of prejudicial attitudes and their consequences. One notable instance is the account of Jonah, who initially resisted God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh due to his own biases against them. Jonah's reluctance highlights the struggle with prejudice and the need for obedience to God's inclusive call.

Another example is found in the early church, where Jewish and Gentile believers faced tensions. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed these issues, affirming that Gentile converts were not required to adhere to Jewish customs to be part of the Christian community. This decision was a significant step toward overcoming prejudicial divisions within the early church.

Conclusion

The Bible's teachings on prejudice call believers to reflect God's impartiality, love, and justice in their interactions with others. By rejecting prejudicial attitudes and embracing the unity found in Christ, Christians are called to be agents of reconciliation and peace in a divided world.1. (a.) Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices; as, to look with a prejudicial eye.

2. (a.) Tending to obstruct or impair; hurtful; injurious; disadvantageous; detrimental.

A Question Whether the Relaxation of the Fast is not Prejudicial ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXI. A question whether the relaxation
of the fast is not prejudicial to the chastity of the body. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxi a question whether.htm

Even the Children of the Regenerate Born in Sin. The Effect of ...
... This concupiscence of the flesh would be prejudicial, [2031] just in so far as it
is present in us, [2032] if the remission of sins were not so beneficial [2033 ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 44 xxxix even the children.htm

Whether Slavery Can Supervene to Marriage?
... Reply to Objection 1: The fraud can indeed hurt the person who has acted fraudulently,
but it cannot be prejudicial to another person: wherefore if the husband ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether slavery can supervene to.htm

The Mind Loves God in Rightly Loving Itself; and if it Love not ...
... For it wills ill to itself through ignorance, in that it does not think that what
it wills is prejudicial to it; but it none the less does will ill to itself ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 14 the mind loves god.htm

Of the Mortification of Our Natural Inclination to Liberty or ...
... Sec. Sec. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. How a soul is to behave herself in obediences, in
things prejudicial, and in such as are pleasing to nature. Sec. 24. ...
/.../chapter xiv of the mortification.htm

Whether a Man May Reveal that which He Knows through Confession ...
... Now both these opinions, by exaggerating the seal of confession, are
prejudicial to the truth and to the safeguarding of justice. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man may reveal.htm

Whether one Party after the Marriage Has Been Consummated Can ...
... Further, no one can lawfully do that which is prejudicial to another without
the latter's consent. Now the religious vow taken by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one party after the.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts of the Old Law Bind for Ever?
... precepts are instituted, not for the purpose of being figures, but for the performance
of certain deeds, the observance thereof is not prejudicial to the truth ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts of.htm

Of the Mortification of Sensual Love to Meats, &C. ...
... may be, sooner. But those are indeed prejudicial defects which proceed from
a settled affection to sensual objects. 10. To correct ...
/.../chapter vi of the mortification.htm

Whether a Believer Can, after his Conversion, Put Away his ...
... If, then, her husband's conversion to the faith could be prejudicial to the wife,
so that he would be free to put her away, the husband could not be converted ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a believer can after.htm

Prejudicial (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices;
as, to look with a prejudicial eye. ...Prejudicial (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/prejudicial.htm - 7k

Prejudice (2 Occurrences)

/p/prejudice.htm - 8k

Disadvantage (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Deprivation of advantage; unfavorable or prejudicial quality, condition,
circumstance, or the like; that which hinders success, or causes loss or injury ...
/d/disadvantage.htm - 7k

Premature (1 Occurrence)

/p/premature.htm - 7k

Although (167 Occurrences)
... men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them,
"As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people ...
/a/although.htm - 35k

Contrary (77 Occurrences)
... men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them,
"As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people ...
/c/contrary.htm - 31k

Invited (49 Occurrences)
... men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them,
"As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people ...
/i/invited.htm - 21k

Leading (101 Occurrences)
... men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them,
"As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people ...
/l/leading.htm - 36k

Forefathers (135 Occurrences)
... men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them,
"As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people ...
/f/forefathers.htm - 36k

Biblical
... But it must also be said that the Hegelian philosophy affected Biblical theology
in a prejudicial manner, as may be seen in Vatke's a priori construction of ...
/b/biblical.htm - 45k

Why did God make salvation such a narrow path? | GotQuestions.org

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Prejudicial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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