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