Daily Devotional: The Sin of Favoritism
Favoritism goes against the very heart of the gospel.
I’m Aaron Hall, a pastor in Lower Alabama. Mark Batterson once said, ‘I do not type on a keyboard. I worship God with the 26 letters of the English alphabet.’ That’s what I’m doing here—worshiping God through the words I write. Every post is an act of worship, every sentence written for His glory. My desire is to be obedient each day to whatever God has called me to do. I’d love for you to join me on this journey.
🔥 Word for Today:
Favoritism goes against the very heart of the gospel.
A while back, during one of our Friday morning Men’s Bible Study, we dived into James 2 and explored what it teaches about the sin of favoritism. At first glance, showing favoritism—treating some people better than others based on wealth, appearance, or status—might seem small. But James doesn’t see it that way.
He calls it sin.
Why? Because favoritism goes against the very heart of the gospel.
What James 2 Teaches Us
James 2:1–13 paints a clear picture: if someone walks into the church dressed in fine clothes and gold rings, and another enters in shabby clothes, and we treat them differently, we dishonor the poor and elevate the rich. This isn’t just bad manners—it’s a denial of the truth that all are equal in Christ.
Jesus welcomed the poor, the broken, and the outsider. He didn’t play favorites. And if we claim to follow Him, we’re called to see people through His eyes—not through the world’s standards of success or status.
How to Guard Against Favoritism
So how can we guard against this subtle but dangerous sin?
Keep the cross in view. Jesus died for all, not just a select few. When we remember this, it reshapes how we see others.
Examine our hearts. Ask yourself: Do I give attention, honor, or respect to certain people while ignoring others?
Practice the royal law. James reminds us of the “royal law” found in Scripture: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Living Without Favoritism
Favoritism diminishes the value God has placed on every person. But when we choose love, we reflect Christ’s heart and reveal the gospel in action.
Let’s be a people who see others the way Jesus sees us—with equal dignity, worth, and love. This doesn’t mean we approve of every choice or excuse sin, but it does mean we recognize each person as someone created by God, deeply loved by Him, and invited into a personal relationship with Him.
👉 Where do you see favoritism creeping into our culture today, and how can we as believers respond differently?
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Amen, brother. This is a tough challenge, as we are wired to categorize our experiences, to make sense of the world. So in this case, I would suggest, when we find ourselves categorizing human beings in ranks of greater/lesser importance, we should implore the Holy Spirit to help change our hearts and minds. Of course, in our ongoing sanctification, we should also endeavor to have the mind of Christ. Again, not by our power, but by God's. Our part is surrender and immersing ourselves in God's Word.