Personal Biases

One thing I have learned from the past twenty plus years of walking with Jesus and studying His word is that the Bible is filled with tension. Biblical tension often stirs up conflict within us and we have a hard time processing how to react or respond. One of the most common ways Christians choose to deal with those puzzling tensions is we pick a side and ignore the other. The problem with this approach is that both truths still exist in the same authoritative body of truth.

We see biblical tension when Jesus spoke to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7 and the church of Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17. To the church of Ephesus, He applauded their works, patience, and stand against those who were evil and those who falsely claimed to be apostles. The church of Ephesus had a hard stance of truth, yet had forsaken love. In Revelation 2:12-17, the church of Pergamos had forsaken truth and allowed evil and sexual immortality to remain in the church.  They held a hard stance of tolerance under the guise of love. Both churches seemed to forsake one very important truth to hang on to another.

We also forsake one truth for another based on personal biases. A bias is a prejudice in favor of or against something or someone compared to another. We all have biases. In fact, we are a bundle of personal biases based on our background, our religious or lack of religious influence, our parents, family, friends, and co-workers, our personal positive and negative experiences, pastors, teachers, and influencers we follow, the community we live in, and the books we read. Every outer influence affects how we view and understand the world around us and how we view and understand God and His Word.

The Challenge and Comfort of Biblical Tensions

When I think about biblical tensions, I can’t help but remember one of my favorite professors in Seminary. He loved to challenge our beliefs and stands when it came to Scripture. He would throw out a theological question and immediately get strong answers from us. Then he would say, “So, what do you do about the Scripture that says this…?” giving us the Scripture that appeared to be in contrast to how we answered his initial question. I loved this. I love the challenge of wrestling with biblical tensions. I love that I can’t ever fully wrap my mind around how beyond us God truly is.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,

 And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

There’s something incredible and even comforting knowing that our God is so beyond us, yet at the same time, calls us and challenges us to come up higher, to allow His Word and His Spirit to transform our hearts, minds, and lives more and more. This beautiful inner transformation happens as we face biblical tensions that challenge our pre-formed beliefs and biases.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

A Personal Test of Your Biases

If you would like to test your biases, read Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7 and to the church in Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17. Acknowledge the good that Jesus recognized and applauded in the two churches.

To the Church in Ephesus:

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

Revelation 2:2-3

To the Church in Pergamos:

I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Revelation 2:13

I made a list of possible characteristics of these two churches knowing that the church in Ephesus had a truth bias and Pergamos held a love bias. Both sound good, but one without the other is not good. Remember that the only one pleased when we let our biases overrule the truth of God’s word is Satan.

Revelation 2:1-7/Ephesus Church was possibly:

·      Dogmatic

·      Intolerant

·      Unloving

·      Hurtful to already broken people

·      lacking compassion

·      Appeared mean or unfeeling 

·      Unable to communicate without anger

·      Prioritized rules/religion above people

Revelation 2:12-17/Pergamos Church was possibly:

·      Tolerant

·      Without borders or boundaries

·      Loving based on lies

·      Hurtful because it told broken people who needed healing they were okay

·      Fake, not genuine

·      No standards; i.e. worthless love

·      Angered over truth or a stand for truth

What are Your Default Biases?

When you read over the truth bias list and the love bias list, what negative traits, behaviors, perspectives do you see yourself struggling with the most? Could you see which side might be your default side? Which one would win over the other when push comes to shove? Are you more likely to default to or let one overrule the other?

Steps to take to help you walk the tight rope of the two biblical tensions, truth and love:

1. Take some time to think about your default biases.

2. Sit before the Lord with your answers to the above questions.

3. Spend some time finding and identifying biblical truths that may counterbalance your personal biases.

Here is a Scripture based prayer to pray based on 2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 1:9,13; and 2:2.

Precious Heavenly Daddy,

I recognize how my personal biases often affect how I view and interpret Scripture. Help me to be diligent to present myself approved to You, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Help me hold fast to Your faithful word, that I may be sound in doctrine, faith, love, and patience. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Listen to my current How to Study the Bible Series on HER Podcast.

1. Listen now  👉 How To Study The Bible And Find Healing And Encouragement For Yourself

2. Listen now  👉 How To Study The Bible Part 2: Slowing Down And Asking Questions

3. Listen now 👉 How To Study The Bible Part 3: Benefits Of Studying The Original Language

4.  Listen now  👉 How To Study the Bible Part 4; In Context and the Impartiality of Jesus