Poisoned Minds

Bible Reading: James 2:1-4, 8-10

“Mom, my new school is awful!” Tommy said, almost in tears. “The kids are so mean! They think that because we’re Navajo, we wear war paint and feathers and say, ‘Ugh! How! Me Big Chief Tommy Hawk.’ It’s humiliating!”

“I’m sorry, Tommy,” Mom said. “I know what it’s like when people make comments or jokes like that, and it hurts. We can be proud of our heritage, but no matter where you live, there will be people with prejudices.”

“Prejudices?” Tommy asked. “What does that mean?”

“Prejudices are opinions people form about others before they know the facts. It’s like their minds are poisoned with unfair and unreasonable dislikes for someone. People who are prejudiced often dislike those who are different from themselves.” Mom poured Tommy a glass of juice. “Now, tell me about the kids in your class.”

“Well, mostly they’re just regular kids,” said Tommy. “There’s one girl, though, who’s different. Her name is Marta, and every day a chauffeur in a big fancy car brings her to school and picks her up. She’s such a snob! She goes around with her nose in the air and can’t be bothered to talk to anyone. No wonder she doesn’t have any friends!”

“Hmm,” said Mom. “You don’t even know Marta, but you’re judging her just like the other kids at school judged you.”

Tommy’s face flushed. “But, Mom…”

“There are other prejudices besides racial ones,” Mom said. “Some people are prejudiced against other religions or against people with disabilities. Some are prejudiced against the rich or the poor. All kinds of prejudices are wrong—and they poison the mind of the person who has them. They can make you think that others are not valuable to God. That’s why we need to fight prejudice by remembering that every person is made in God’s image and that Jesus died to save them from sin. Everyone—no matter how different they are from us—is either a brother or sister in Christ or someone who doesn’t know Jesus and needs to see His love in us.”

Tommy knew Mom was right. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll talk to Marta and try to be her friend.”

“Good,” said Mom. “Ask Jesus to help you see her the way He does.” – Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Have you ever dealt with prejudice? Do you tease or avoid someone who’s different from you? If you’ve had people do that to you, you know how painful it can be. Don’t give in to prejudice. God created all people in His image, and He sent Jesus to die for each one of them. Show others His love by treating everyone the way you’d want to be treated.

Today’s Key Verse: James 2:9 If you show partiality, you commit sin. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t be prejudiced