Let’s Seek to Overcome Our Biases 

Recent events in our country highlight how our biases tend to affect our judgment. When an incident occurs, some people are quick to assign guilt before facts are known or investigations are carried out. Whom we initially blame often corresponds more with our prejudices, emotions, or political alliances rather than with objective reality. For some people, it means being quick to blame those in authority such as law enforcement officers. For others, they are just as ready to convict the person who was confronted by those police officers or federal agents, such as protestors or immigrants. 

We would all do well to pay attention to the biblical warnings against showing partiality in judgment. “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:15). This scripture reminds us that partiality can go both ways. We usually think of the tendency to be biased in favor of the rich or powerful in order to incur their favor. However, some people are just as inclined to favor the poor or the weak whenever there are incidents or conflicts. In both cases fairness or truth is sacrificed due to people’s biases. We need to seek to judge rightly. That may mean not jumping to conclusions. It may force us to listen to people with whom we often disagree. It may cause us to proceed cautiously and thoughtfully when others around us are ready to act rashly and are encouraging us to join them.

God is just. “For all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). The Apostle Peter affirmed in the New Testament, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). A just God requires that we also be just. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). The book of James shows the seriousness of failing to exercise justice and impartiality. “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:8-9).

We all look at situations through our specific lens based on our background, experiences, and other factors. However, that doesn’t excuse our showing partiality. Instead of assuming that “our side” was completely right and “the other side” was totally in the wrong, can we be open to the fact that in some cases there may have been fault on both sides? Could we admit that all involved could have done better to avoid what happened? And if the evidence dictates it in a situation, can we confess that our side was wrong and should be held accountable? Maybe we should see less of “our side” and “their side”, and focus more on being on God’s side.

Such impartiality may not be pleasing to politicians who want people who will loyally support them and their views no matter what. It may not be helpful to certain news media personalities who like to stir up a crisis. It may not be encouraged by certain social activists who like to be in the spotlight. However, it will be pleasing to a just God who seeks for His followers to be more like Him. 

May the Lord help us all to overcome those tendencies to be too quick to judge or to allow our biases to skew our judgment. May He help us to look at situations with an impartial eye and to judge rightly and justly.