RACISM / TRIBALISM - it's a Pandemic!

The news is filled with horrific stories or racialism, tribalism and hate. It's become a scourge worse than Covid because it's insidious and there is no vaccine against it.

Mandela put it well:



I hope this post will educate and open our eyes to what we can do to avoid this hateful pandemic.

So what do these terms mean?

Ethnicity

"Ethnicity may be defined as a social group or category of the population . . . set apart and bound together by common ties of race, language, nationality or culture"

Tribalism

"Tribalism is the attitude and practice of harboring such a strong feeling of loyalty or bonds to one's tribe that one excludes or even demonizes those 'oth- ers' who do not belong to that group"

Racism

Racism is defined as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capabilities and that racial differences produce an inherent superior- ity of a particular race" (Merriam-Webster, 2014). This is usually coupled with the belief that the superior race has a right to dominion over others. Racism thus insinuates that all human beings do not necessarily have the same intrin- sic value. Racial discrimination is not confined to any single race.

From the above definitions, it is important to note that all three concepts potentially carry elements of personal, collective, and/or political self-interest. they are all grounded in the desire of an individual or group to dominate, exploit, or assault others.

The reason we are against racism is because a person's race is sacred. A person's ethnicity is sacred. You cannot violate it. My race is sacred; your race is sacred; I dare not violate it.

As Oklahoma pastor Craig Groeschel has said, racism is not a skinissue—it's a sin issue. James 2:9 says it clearly: "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers." Racism is not just the presence of hatred; it is the absence of love.

When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, He was addressing the sin of racism in the hearts of the Jewish Pharisees. That story would have made a racist mad! It was the Samaritan—who was despised by the Jews—who did the right thing by showing kindness to the wounded man. Jesus used the story to teach that all people—regardless of race—are our "neighbors."

Jesus asked the Jews, "Who is my neighbor?"  It's interesting that Jesus doesn't answer the question; instead, He demonstrated how to be a neighbor.

Martin Luther King Jr. preached a famous sermon on this passage. In it, he said: "I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

Racism is also a sin because it has its roots in pride and arrogance (Prov. 13:10; 16:18; Isa. 2:17). this sin originated in Lucifer's desire to elevate himself above the throne of God. Note the egocentric language in Isaiah's description of Lucifer's desire:

You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assem- bly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most high" (Isa. 14:13-14, NIV).

Here are three questions for you to ponder:


1) IS THERE ANY PREJUDICE IN YOUR HEART?

If you have racist attitudes, they will be spread like a virus to all you encounter and have influence with.

1 John 4:20 says: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."

Are you loving God and your neighbor in a way that reflects the heart of God?  Are you loving your neighbors equally, or is there prejudice in your heart toward some?  

The agape love of God flowing out of the heart of His people is our solution to uprooting racism. It must start with you.


2) ARE YOU WILLING TO EMBRACE NEW GROUPS OF PEOPLE? 

Are you still learning? Do you have the heart of a disciple who wants to learn more about the heart of God? Or are you stuck in your ways—with the attitude that you already know everything?

The world around us is changing. Your city is not the same today as it was in 1975. 

Are you intentionally learning about other ethnic groups who have moved to your city or your neighborhood? 

Are you willing to have conversations with those who don't look like you? Or do you complain about "those people" who are moving near you?

One of the ways we disarm our fears and ignorance of other ethnicities is by initiating conversations. We can learn so much from each other if we would just talk to each other!

3) HAVE YOU LET GO OF PAST HURTS?
It is so important for you to let go of what has wounded you in the past. This is not easy and can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit.  You may have experienced the injustice of racism, or your parents may have trained you to perpetuate it.  You must break the generational cycle.

Remember the words of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph. 4:31-33).

You can't get free of what you are not willing to confront. Learning to let go of the past requires humility. Break free from unforgiveness, hatred, anger, pride, or prejudice and allow the Holy Spirit to bring healing to you. Ask a mentor or trusted friend to pray with you. We don't have to be controlled by guilt and condemnation.

I hope you are willing to ask the hard questions.

Excerpt fromhttps://iphc.org/evangelism/2019/02/25/examine-yourself-is-there-racism-in-your-heart/

Comments

Anonymous said…
We all bleed the same!!