It's wise to understand our unconscious bias (Proverbs 24:23)

People sometimes avoid popular psychology and training. For instance "unconscious bias" has been a focus for many at work to help people realize the preference towards hiring and promoting people who look, talk and act like ourselves. More importantly, unconscious biases are happening outside our own conscious awareness and show up as "isms" - racism, sexism, agism. They develop as we start seeing what we look for as "confirmation bias" and people behave as expected "conformity bias." I came across Proverbs 24:23 the other day and did a double-take. It says,

"Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism (partiality) when passing judgment."

Partiality is unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared with another; favoritism. Another word is prejudice or partisanship. 

This is repeated in other scriptures;

• To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread - Proverbs 28:21
• Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. - Proverbs 18:5

Wisdom observes, understands the lovingkindness of the Lord - Psalm 107:43

• Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. Proverbs 11:17
• Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 1 Corinthians 13:4 

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. - Hosea 14:9

 - This verse came to me days ago and I recognized it as being important for me in God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

Thanksgiving and recognition of God's loving-kindness is the root of all healing (Psalm 118:1-4).