Discrimination . . .
Discrimination . . .
Why do people discriminate against each other? What is exactly their motive? What is it that one expects to gain by resorting to this type of injustice? It appears to me that if we truly understand the answers to these questions, it can help us stop discriminating against each other, and enable us to understand and help those who find themselves discriminating against us.
In the aftermath of all of the recent shootings, we should understand clearly that we should include racial discrimination, but go beyond race. People of all races discriminate against those within their own race. It is very important to understand where discrimination come from, and how we can open ourselves to the Holy Spirit to cleanse it from our hearts.
There are many reasons why we discriminate, whether it is against another race, or another person within our race. Let's take a close look at some of these reasons for discrimination.
- Insecurity -Subconsciously, we may be insecure and feel a need to tear others down as a way of raising ourselves up. All of us are vulnerable to feelings of inferiority, insecurity and inadequacy. Satan and the fallen world in which we live make sure of that. Just let someone point out some unflattering physical feature, or incompetence and the flush of embarrassment or anger that follows is a sure-fire sign of our vulnerability to insecurities. When situations such as this, we usually either retreat or attack, and discrimination is a tool we may use to attack.
- Ignorance - There are honest reasons why we should not discriminate. Included is the fact that we are created in the image of God, that God looks at us as equal in His eyes, that God created diversity throughout His creation, and He intends for us to experience unity in the midst of diversity. If we do not know these things , were never taught these things, or were taught the very opposite, we may be more vulnerable to the temptations brought on by insecurity.
- Weakness - Perhaps we have grown up in a culture of discrimination. Our family, our school, our town/city/state have had discrimination as a value, and though we may have known or sensed that it was not correct, we did not have the personal drive to stand against it.we are called upon, not to discriminate, but love (Romans 13:8).
Whether it is race, socio-economics, disabilities, cultural value, just as we are. Recognizing and accepting this, it elevated us without inflating us, and humbles us without debasing us. Christians should get this right. If we do not, who will? The very truth commands us, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us (Galatians 5:16). As we love our neighbors as ourselves, let us do unto them as we would have them to unto us (Luke 6:31)