All God’s Favorites

James 2:1-14

Introduction:  Today, James takes us to a touchy subject. Let’s visit the topic of favouritism and prejudice.

Question: So, is there any difference between favouritism and prejudice?

Favouritism is partiality or bias. To show favouritism is to give unfair . preference to one person over others with equal claims. It is similar to discrimination. is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on characteristics like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, often depriving them of rights. It stems from bias, stereotypes, and systemic inequalities and may be based on conditions such as social class, wealth, clothing, actions, etc.

Key Factors Motivating James to Address Favouritism:

• Discriminatory Treatment in Worship: Believers were treating visitors differently based on economic status, specifically honouring the rich and dishonouring the poor, which contradicted the unity expected in the church.

• Judging with Evil Motives: James accused them of becoming judges with “evil thoughts,” (James 2:4) by making distinctions based on outward appearances rather than inner faith.

• Contradiction of Faith: This behavior, says LigonDuncan.com, was incompatible with the Christian faith, which holds that God chose the poor to be rich in faith.

• Ignoring God’s Example: James reminded the church that God does not show partiality, making the preferential treatment of the rich an act of hypocrisy, according to YouTube.

Essentially, the congregation was valuing worldly success and influence over the inherent value of a person in Christ, notes The Bible Says.

• The Bible is clear that favouritism is not God’s will for our lives. First, favouritism is incongruent with God’s character: “God does not show favouritism” (Romans 2:11).

All are equal before Him. Ephesians 6:9 says, “There is no favouritism with him.” Colossians 3:25 teaches God’s fairness in judgment: “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism.”

• Second, the Bible teaches Christians are not to show favouritism: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favouritism” (James 2:1). The context concerns the treatment of rich and poor in the church. James points out that treating someone differently based on his financial status or how he is dressed is wrong.

The Old Testament provides similar instruction regarding favouritism. Leviticus 19:15 teaches, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.” Exodus 23:3 likewise commands, “Do not show favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.” Justice should be blind, and both rich and poor should be treated equally before the law.

• Third, the Bible calls favouritism sin: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9). Favouritism is a serious offense against God’s call to love one’s neighbour as oneself.

• Fourth, church leaders are especially charged not to show favouritism. Paul commanded Timothy, a young church leader, “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism” (1 Timothy 5:21).

• Fifth, it is difficult to avoid showing favouritism. Even Christ’s closest followers struggled with bias against people different from them. When the apostle Peter was first called to minister to non-Jewish people, he was reluctant. He later admitted, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). The fact that James specifically addresses the sin of favouritism implies that this was a common problem within the early church.

• Application: Favouritism is a problem we still deal with. Favouritism and partiality are not from God, and Christians are called to love. As humans, we tend to form judgments based on selfish, personal criteria rather than seeing others as God sees them. May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and follow His example of treating every person with God’s love (John 3:16).
• Question: Where or how is favouritism developed?

Key factors about favouritism include:

• Social Categorization & Identity: Favouritism often stems from Social Identity Theory, where people naturally categorize others into “in-groups” (us) and “out-groups” (them). We favor our in-group because we derive self-esteem from their perceived success and view the group as an extension of our own identity.

• The Mere Exposure Effect: Familiarity breeds preference. The brain releases dopamine when encountering something familiar or safe. Repeated exposure to a person or group builds comfort, which can eventually solidify into attachment and favouritism.

• Cognitive Biases: Several mental shortcuts lead to favouritism:
  
  

• Halo Effect: When one positive trait (like wealth or attractiveness) leads us to assume a person has other positive qualities.
  
  
• Confirmation Bias: We tend to interpret information in a way that confirms our existing positive views of those we like.
  
  
• Self-Serving Bias: We may favor those who can benefit us, assuming their success reflects well on us or that we might receive reciprocity (help in return).
  
  
• Biological Wiring: Research suggests the hormone oxytocin plays a role by increasing trust and empathy, specifically toward those perceived as similar to ourselves, which can inadvertently create bias against those seen as different.
  
  
• Environmental Reinforcement: In environments like families or workplaces, favouritism can be formed by parental stress (favouring the “easier” child) or organizational cultures that reward personal relationships over merit.

Question: How can people get better with their favouritism/prejudices?

Reducing prejudice is often compared to breaking a “bad habit”—it requires conscious effort, self-awareness, and time to retrain the brain’s automatic responses. Because biases are often unconscious, the first step is bringing them into your awareness without falling into a cycle of guilt or blame.

Effective strategies to improve your prejudices include:

• Practice Perspective-Taking: Actively imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes, particularly those from a group you may judge. This cognitive component of empathy is one of the most powerful tools for reducing bias.
  
  
• The “Contact Hypothesis”: Seek out meaningful, positive interactions with people from different social groups. Intergroup friendship is considered one of the most effective antidotes to prejudice.

• Counter-Stereotypic Imaging: When you notice a stereotype popping up, deliberately visualize positive, successful examples of people from that group who defy the stereotype.

• Individuation: Focus on the unique characteristics of a person rather than viewing them as a representative of a group. Learning their personal history or shared interests helps your brain move past group-based labels.

• Slow Down Your Decisions: Prejudice often thrives during “cognitive overload”—when we are stressed, tired, or rushed. Pausing to reflect before making a judgment can reduce reflexive, biased actions.

• Educate Yourself Indirectly: Directly telling yourself “don’t be prejudiced” is often ineffectual and can even backfire. Instead, engage with literature, films, or courses that explore diverse worldviews and the history of systemic bias.

• Acknowledge Similarities: Focus on common goals or shared identities (e.g., being a parent, a fan of the same team, or a resident of the same city). This “recategorization” makes it easier to view others as part of your “in-group”.