These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. Proverbs 24:23 (KJV)
The Bible is full of scriptures that command us to honor our parents, submit to those in authority, and respect our spouses. However, there is one place that the Bible teaches us not to be respecter of people, and that’s when we are in the seat of judgment. This is when the Lord desires for us not to allow any level of relationship, position, affection, or preference to taint our judgment in a given situation. That means if two parties have come to us for a verdict in a given situation, we need to put ourselves in a completely neutral position regardless of how much personal honor or loyalty we have for either party.
To be impartial in a given situation, we make it our aim to have a clear mind and a pure heart in order to hear and receive what both parties are going to share. This allows us to be fair in hearing all the facts. It gives us the opportunity to draw a just conclusion based on what has been presented to us not based on the strength of our relationship with one of the parties.
Impartiality also applies to any prejudice in our hearts towards others of a different race, ethnicity, color, size, socio-economic status, educational level, career and so on. We need to be vigilant not to bring our biases to the table when we are judging a situation because that will cloud the truth and can lead us into wrong conclusion.
My husband has seen variety of individuals including educated people, pastors, and Christian kids who for one reason or another have gotten into trouble with the law. We can’t assume because of someone’s status that they are less likely to sin or be at fault. Sin is no respecter of people because the devil will try to bait anyone who gives him the open door. Some of the recent top dollar white-collar crimes have been committed by those who were educated and were in high positions professionally.
God gave Solomon great wisdom to judge people rightly. When two prostitutes came to him each claiming that the live baby was theirs but the dead baby was the other one’s, Solomon stayed neutral (See 1Kings 3:16-28). His challenge was that he had one person’s word against another. He didn’t come with his preconceived notion as to who was right or looked more truthful; God gave Him holy counsel on how to resolve the issue.
Sometimes we feel more confident and secure if we already have some preconceived notion about a given situation, but our security should be solely in the Lord. We can let him lead the situation and give us insight as to how to judge and resolve the situation as we go through the process and depend on Him moment by moment.
Praise God that we don’t have to depend on prejudice or preference because God gives us discernment to draw a Godly and fair judgment. As we hear Him, we will judge. (See John 5:30).