The Root of Racism
Racism, in its simplest form, is the division of people groups based on racial background. The devil always seeks to divide, whether it is dividing people because of their skin color, their gender, their age, their economic status, their religious beliefs, or a host of other characteristics. When people allow themselves to become divided, it is a victory for the enemy. He knows that unity brings great power.
We hear a lot about racism and the term seems to be used a lot these days. I know that there are people who judge, discriminate, and harm others based on how they look, such as skin color- and it is definitely wrong. No doubt about it. There is absolutely no circumstance where it is right. However, hatred of any kind is equally wrong. As a society we tend to look at hatred and allow certain kinds of hate, while condemning others. Hatred is of satan and he uses it to promote his agenda in the earth. People who allow themselves to be controlled by any hatred of any kind are simply allowing him to use them as his pawns.
Racism and other kinds of division feed on fear. When people fear each other based on a certain characteristic, then it is easy to divide them. Fear is also of the devil.
How do we combat racism and other similar divisions? One key is to remember that as believers in Jesus, we don’t fight against other people- our real enemy is the devil who is influencing them and their actions.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (New Living Translation, NLT)
We fight the enemy by using our authority in Christ. We speak the Word of God to command his divisive strategies to come to nothing. We pray and proclaim that unity reigns in this earth. And we love people.
Yes, we love people. The love of God wins every time. God is love according to I John 4:8, and God never loses. This means that real love never fails. I Corinthians 13 bears that out. It is only the love and the goodness of God that can bring racism and other forms of hatred to their knees. Social programs will only do so much. Education will only do so much. Protests and vigils will only do so much. God’s love is the only answer to kill racism at its root.
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 (New Living Translation, NLT)
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. I Thessalonians 5:15 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. III John 1:11 (New Living Translation, NLT)
The way to end racism and other forms of hatred is to win people to Jesus Christ by showing them the love and goodness of the Lord. Until every person has a real, personal relationship with the God of love, hatred will continue in some form or fashion. Let’s do our part to end the division and promote unity by extending God’s love to all people.
