Bias can take many different forms. Some of these are perhaps a little more obvious than others. For example, bias may be expressed in an unhealthy or slavish acceptance of a church leader’s words and actions, without proper consideration or questioning. There’s also the situation of which James speaks (James 2:1-4), where some visitors are
‘preferred’ above others. But it’s pernicious influence can be more subtle. I once encountered a church where they were so proud of those who had been members from childhood that they became somewhat blinded to the possibility that these ‘precious’ individuals might break the law. As a direct consequence of this bias, the church failed to intervene promptly when their over-valued member, now a youth leader, began to ‘groom’ and then sexually abuse a child in their care. Not only did this church show unhealthy and exaggerated support for a leader. They also showed an inadequate level of care towards the victim, even to the point of initially dismissing his complaints. What’s the moral of stories like this? We must examine our own attitudes with radical honestly and ask the Holy Spirit to show us our blind areas!