My last two articles addressed the painfully divisive nature of prejudice. In those articles, I tried to broaden our understanding of prejudice and the damage that it causes — and I purposefully left out any reference to separate races (African, Asian, European, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, etc.). You may have noticed that and wondered why. In this article, I will share with you my belief that the concept of separate races is a strategic lie perpetuated by the devil for the express purpose of destroying humanity.

But first, let’s take a moment to understand our enemy the devil. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as, “a murderer… not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” In John 10:10, Jesus said that the devil is a, “thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter writes, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

It is the devil’s goal to destroy God’s creation — especially that extraordinary part of creation called the human race. The devil is our enemy, and he is a liar. He introduces lies as a strategy to get us to destroy each other. Sadly, we have allowed him to be extraordinarily successful.

Now that we have identified the enemy and his strategy, let me share the truth with you:

There is only one race. It is called the human race. It was created by God and uniquely endowed with the God-image characteristics of freedom, responsibility, and eternity. The human race, the entire human race, is covered in God’s glorious fingerprints. Beyond the nominal, external, and beautiful variations of skin, eye and hair color, facial structure and body shape, human beings are all alike. In crisis, we can share our blood to save each other’s lives. In love, we can marry and bear beautiful and precious children. In discovery, we can learn and grow and innovate together. My friends, the evidence is overwhelming: there is only one race — it is called the human race — and you are a full and holy member of it. That is the truth.

When we accept the truth of one human race, the lie of separate races must disappear from our hearts and our vocabulary. If it doesn’t, then we have to ask ourselves why. Why would we want to be divided? Why would we maintain a lie when the truth is so obvious?

Racists believe the lie. They divide humanity into groups and then declare that one group is better than the rest. Racists use it as a way of excusing or justifying inhumane behavior. There are other excuses. Revenge is an excuse for being inhumane. So are jealousy and greed. The devil has many tricks in his bag, but they all have the same goal — destroying humanity. The devil has been using his lies to trick us since the dawn of time. Humanity has always been able to find an excuse for being inhumane. In 1673, Samuel Von Pufendorf wrote, “More inhumanity has been done by man himself than any other of nature’s causes.”

Ecclesiastes 1:9 declares, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” As the devil’s stooges, we just keep destroying each other. It has always been this way. And unless something changes, it will continue to be this way. The devil applauds as we do his bidding.

Are you weary of living with the lie of racism and the anger, fear, and jealousy that come with it? Are you fed up with a world where everyone hates, distrusts and pre-judges each other? Are you weary of living in a world divided into “us” and “them”? Are you sick and tired of doing the devil’s work? If so, there is an answer:

“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

Who are you struggling to love today? Has prejudice stolen love, joy, and peace from your heart? Be honest with yourself. Recognize the devil’s schemes. Identify his lies. Don’t let them imprison you in the kingdom of darkness. Open your heart to love every member of God’s one human race. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32