Seeing things that might not be there.

Scripture Read: Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

Application: One of the more difficult things any human being has to deal with is their own bias’s. We see things through our eyes, which come front loaded with our experiences, memories and values. This is why Paul gives Timothy a stern warning concerning this very matter. As a leader he must protect the integrity of his office by over ruling the natural tendencies we all have of looking at things only through our own  eyes. This is an admonition we would all do well to apply. Not only will it make us better listeners, for you to see something through other’s eyes you have to listen to their point of view, but it also will slow us down enough to ask God for His perspective, which is the most important. The word bias in the original is a compound of two Greek words:

 πρόκριμα prókrima; from pró, before, and krínō, to judge. With reference to place and time, to decide beforehand, prefer before, another being put aside (1 Tim. 5:21). Prókrima includes an unfavorable prejudgment against one, partiality being included in the attitude of this prejudgment.^[1]

Prejudging can be very dangerous and detrimental to individuals, for both the one doing it and the individual that is being prejudged. Reputations can be hurt, friendships jeopardized and truth can be ignored. Every prejudice I have ever encountered was based on individuals’ prejudgment of people or things separate from any fact or truth. The other danger of this bias we all have is that we will be tempted to favor the individuals we like no matter what the facts show. When Church leaders do this the damage to Christ’s name is felt inside and outside the Church. When the world see believers jumping to conclusions before the facts are in, they lose any respect they had for Christianity. We owe it to our Lord to seek the Holy Spirit’s help to separate ourselves from our bias and seek the truth. God desires this and will enable those that seek His counsel to have it. This does not mean that we will not have friends that are closer to us than others, we are human and this is a normal thing in our society. What it does mean is that when it comes to how we treat individuals, especially when it deals with issues concerning sin and failure, we must divorce ourselves from our emotions and only discern what the truth is. This can be very difficult if it is your friend that has fallen and you are the one that has to confront the issue. I have been there, and at that moment I wanted to be anywhere else but there. Yet, I knew what God would desire and if I love this individual the tough love required was for his best. God has always been with me. (Mt 18) He has always protected and comforted. He is faithful and will be to you also. Stand for the truth, with no bias and you will see the blessings of God!  

Meditation Questions: Do you ask others if they see things the same way you do? Is everyone you ask just like you? What does that say? Do you know where you are bias? What do you do to protect yourself from being affected by that? Has someone ever prejudged you? How did that feel? Is it normal to prejudge things? What should we do about that? What if you have a sense about something? How should you handle that? Do you believe the Holy Spirit can help you see without bias? How does He do that?  

---

^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.