Introduction
There are many runners in a race, but only one winner. In that race, every athlete disciplines his body to achieve success, but only the one who exercises absolute self-control wins. The Christian life is about disciplining our behavior and maintaining control to achieve imperishable success. We experience several forms of discrimination every day, no matter where in the world we are. This age-old problem with numerous solutions advanced over the centuries still can’t seem to be unraveled and is worsening. Perhaps we’re applying all the wrong theories. The Bible explicitly condemns discrimination in the book of James with the command, “show no partiality” (James 2:1) but also provides a feasible solution to prejudice. This discussion explores how discrimination can be dissolved with the Christian call for discipline through love and self-control.
What is Discrimination?
Discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of people, motivated by prejudice, attitudes, stereotypes, and racism. Discrimination focuses on behavior and can be intentional or unintentional, overt, or subtle. Usually, bias leads to harassment by actions or words. Harassment stems from a pattern of behavior or repeated conduct. Discrimination is poisonous and breaks down societies. The Bible refers to discrimination as sin; judgment with evil intentions (James 2:4; 9).
A Biblical Perspective
In turning to the Bible’s perspective on bias and equality, our Lord’s frequent discussions of rich and poor, provide a model for evaluating differences with fairness. The Bible frequently refers to the poor as blessed; the ones with the most robust faith who are heirs of the Kingdom. Jesus also warned that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:25). What a different perspective to what we are taught by society today. We tend to look at the rich as blessed and the poor as cursed. We are stirred by blind passions and fail to recognize that our conceptions of the ideal, mighty, and powerful are merely shadows of oppression and evil.
It is important to point out that riches and wealth are not reserved for certain groups of people. James says, “you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 2:2-3). Riches frequently lead to mischief. Look at the great and influential people of the world and you will also find efforts to get rid of God and religion. In His wisdom, God chose the poor to be rich in faith and holiness to demonstrate the importance of impartiality. When we regard only outward appearances, our reasoning is ill-advised, and we judge wrongly, causing us to discriminate. Instead, we should follow God’s example and look at people’s hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).
Society has taught us to respect and honor those who we can identify with, based on age, status, race, and culture, but the Bible tells us, “In Him the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free man, male and female, disappear; you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). There is no place for partiality in the Kingdom of God.
Discipline
“Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild” (Immanuel Kant)
Disciplining ourselves means subduing our passions, recognizing the roles of master and servant. Our desires should not lead us but should be led by us. We are the masters and our passions, the servants. If we are undisciplined, we allow our desires to rule and eventually ruin us. British philosopher John Foster said, “A man without decision of character can never be said to belong to himself…He belongs to whatever can make captive of him.” Italian author Pietro Aretino remarked, “I am indeed a king, because I know how to rule myself.” Discrimination and many other problems can be solved today, right now if people decide to discipline their behaviors.
Love
One form of discipline is Christian love. The Bible encourages us to love our neighbors as ourselves (James 2:8). If we take this principle to heart and are moved by the Biblical definition of love, we will counter discrimination wherever and whenever it arises. The Bible describes love in this way,
Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:5-9).
Who are your neighbors? They are a group of very diverse people: some are old, young, poor, rich, orphaned, widowed, sick, and healthy. Leaders have failed to implement this fundamental principle of Biblical love in schools, organizations, and governmental institutions. As a result, all attempts at inclusion and diversity are merely political tactics that fail unless people discipline their natures to love beyond differences.
Look around, and you will see copious hate crimes, acts of terrorism, genocide, and persecution. James asks a pertinent question and provides an answer, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1). Instead, here’s an idea, reject selfishness but in humility regard others as better than yourselves, look out for others, have tenderness and compassion, and know that in an instant, the rich can be made low and the poor rich. For the non-Christian, there’s not much motivation to do this. However, the Christian is poised to excel, not as a boxer beating the air, but a striker aiming at his own body, training it to do what it should and keeping it under control because his reward is not contingent on a man but guaranteed by God (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). Humans desire to feel accomplished. Beyond material accomplishments, the soul craves comfort. When we can see our lives in terms of eternity, our actions will be motivated to goodwill for all. What other incentive is there to love in this bitter cold world?
Respect for all persons is a Christian duty that does not prevent Christians from representing their office as followers of Christ on any issue. Instead, it encourages Christians to act justly and to understand that if we break one of God’s laws, we break all. God restrains us with His Word because He knows that human nature is corrupted. Discrimination is the most glaring contrast to Biblical love.
Self-control
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls”
(Proverbs 25:28).
A city without walls is undefended and open to its aggressor. This is the person who cannot restrain his/her passion, affections, and yearnings. They have lost all self-control and risk being carried away into sin, allowing temptations to assault them. Discrimination is the result of uncontrolled negative attitudes and stereotypes that lead to action. What’s inside of us either leads to goodness or evil. We have tendencies, quirks, and qualities which need to be continuously nurtured and checked. Born into a sinful world, innocent and undeveloped, we are exposed to viruses that can suffocate us unless we exercise control. One of these viruses is discrimination. In ourselves, we are sinful, imperfect, incapable, and insufficient. If we weren’t, we would have no such temptation. Here’s the first step: examine yourself!
People rely on the voice of God; their consciences to govern their will. We cannot control ourselves. Our observations of those around us are just as unreliable as theirs are of us. We don’t even have a clear view of ourselves unless God enlightens us. Consequently, when we advance solutions to deal with discrimination in society without reference to God and Jesus’ work on the cross, we promise what we cannot confer and demand what we cannot deliver.
The soul that knows Christ knows himself and controls his appetites. He submits to the One Who teaches him what sin is and he has love that enables him to live in harmony with all people. When God created the earth it was formless, void, and filled with darkness, but the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, and light appeared. The only way to bring our dark souls to light is to allow the Spirit of God to tame our desires. In Christ, we are a walled city where God Himself is our defense.
Who are the ones that stir racism, discrimination, and harassment in our societies? It is those who reject God to follow their evil passions. The Bible calls such people scoffers who cause divisions, worldly people devoid of the Spirit (Jude 1:18-19). People of God are called to show love and mercy to all just as the Father loved us without distinction.
Conclusion
There are many forms of discrimination around us and when we fail to respect all people, we create barriers that hinder our personal and societal progress. The Apostle John tells us, “whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eye” (1 John 2:11). The only solution to the challenge of partiality and unfairness around the world is the application of the Christian value of discipline through love and self-control.
