Scripture Reading: Proverbs 24:23-26

How to Avoid Partiality

Intro.

1. We all have certain preferences and favorites.

2. Spiritual, moral matters demand impartiality because God is impartial, Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6.

3. Ex. Elihu deferred to his elders before speaking, Job 32:6-7.

-When he spoke his opinion he measured it with impartiality because he knew he spoke before God (32:6, 10, 17).

4. God’s counsel: Be impartial, Prov. 24:23-25; 28:21.

a. Note: It is not showing partiality to rebuke evil and bless good.

b. Wisdom from above is impartial, James 3:17.

I. THE DANGERS OF SHOWING PARTIALITY.

A. We Sin Against the Innocent, James 2:1-13.

1. Evil thoughts, James 2:4.

2. Dishonor the innocent, James 2:6.

3. It is not loving neighbor, but sin against him, James 2:8-9.

4. Forsakes mercy, James 2:12-13.

B. When We Show Favoritism We Are in Danger of Condemning the Innocent and Approving the Guilty, 1 Tim. 5:19-22.

1. Do not judge before verifying the facts, 5:21 (5:19).

2. Do not act with favoritism, 5:21 (5:20).

3. By being impartial we remain pure and do not commend the guilty and share in their sins, 5:22.

II. HOW CAN WE AVOID PARTIALITY IN OUR JUDGMENTS AND ACTIONS?

A. Do Not Let Fleshly Considerations Influence Your Decisions, John 7:24. (Don’t judge by appearance.)

1. Physical beauty v. inner beauty, Prov. 31:30.

a. In picking a marriage partner, 1 Pet. 3:2-4.

b. In assessing a person’s quality and character, 1 Tim. 2:9.

2. Parents must not show favoritism toward children.

a. Isaac and Rebekah (Esau and Jacob), Gen. 25:27-28; 27:2ff.

b. Envy, bitterness, competition, hatred, separation, 27:41.

3. Leaders of men and God’s leaders, Prov. 29:2.

a. Saul: Handsome man, 1 Sam. 8:19-20; 9:2; 10:23-24.

b. David: Man after God’s heart, 1 Sam. 13:14; 16:7 (8-10).

c. Christ, Isa. 53:2; yet Luke 2:52.

d. This is why God qualifies men to lead His people (Acts 20:28). Churches suffer when partiality is practiced.

B. Do Not Let Emotions Cloud Objectivity, Exod. 23:3, 6; Lev. 19:15, 18 (misplaced sympathy or lingering grudge).

1. Fearing men perverts justice, Deut. 1:17 (Matt. 10:28).

2. Allegiance to family can cloud faithfulness, Matt. 10:37.

C. Reject Personal Gain, Deut. 10:17-19; 16:19-20 (bribe).

1. Fear of God protects us against partiality, 2 Chron. 19:6-7.

2. Contrast Felix, partial to money and power, Acts 24:26-27.

D. Maintain the Clear Distinction God’s Word Makes of Evil and Good, Prov. 18:5.

1. Do not reverse moral distinctions, Prov. 17:15; Isa. 5:20.

2. Keep God’s truth as standard for every judgment, John 12:48.

Conclusion

1. We are children of an impartial Father. We cannot be partial and remain holy before Him, 1 Pet. 1:15-17.

2. God’s offers salvation without partiality, Acts 10:34-35.

3. He calls every sinner to mercy and salvation in His Son, including me and you.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted November 17, 2021