Learned Behavior, Overcoming Biases by Leaving Them at the Foot of the Cross

Learned Behavior, Overcoming Biases by Leaving them at the Foot of the Cross

I have many favorite things I enjoy doing, but one of those many things is watching children play. There's a lot adults can learn from such innocent behavior and interactions among kids. When I watch them play, I understand why Jesus was so protective of them throughout his earthly ministry. Their innocence cannot be faked, they trust without fault, and their inherent value is worth more than gold. Jesus recognized their value to humanity and to heaven.

It's impossible not to notice that when children are allowed to freely play together without imposed adult restrictions, they don't allow things like race, class, culture, and/or income status to divide them; they don't create a play area just for:

• The African American children
• The Caucasian children
• The Hispanic children
• The Asian children 
• The Biracial children and/or any other race of children

The children play, and play, and play until playtime is over. What does such behavior teach adults? It teaches us that racism and classism are learned behaviors. Children learn about race and class by watching and listening to us. That's right, they don't have problems with how you look, where you're from, or how much income their parents earn until their innocence begin to wear off and adults teach them to see people differently. There are many healthy and unhealthy behaviors we pass on to our children. Things like, racism, classism, and many other isms that many adults believe, demonstrate, and teach their children. We also teach children some wonderful things like respect, honor, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and more. The things we teach our children help shape what they think and how they feel. 

What does God want and expect of adult Christians? He wants us to exemplify through our actions, attitudes, and words child-like innocence. Yes, God wants adults to acts like children when it comes to emphasizing humility, total dependence, and absolute trust in God. With that said, and over the course of the next few devotionals, I look forward to writing and teaching Christian adults how to confront biases that may be rampant in your life. Join me for my next series entitled:

"Learned Behavior, Overcoming Biases by Leaving them at the Foot of the Cross"

To prepare yourself for this upcoming series I encourage you to consider the words of Evangelist Billy Graham who said, "The first step toward overcoming our biases is to admit we have them, and then to lay them at the foot of the Cross, where all human distinctions are leveled." 

2026 Copyright (c) Elton L. Young
 All Rights Reserved