Perception
Part 1
"It's A Bird... It's A Plane... It's Superman". Perception is reality or so they say. Actually perceptions, which include feelings, may seem real but feelings are not facts. Our culture struggles as people use terms and talk about subjects yet not all are on the same page. We can throw around terms like forgiveness, love and compassion but do we all agree to the same working definitions of these concepts? Well no, we don’t, and far be it for one person to say what is the correct way to define such terms. This is the problem we face when attempting to understand and root through disagreements or simply carry on meaningful and understandable conversations with one another.
In part 1 of this article we’ll look at what defines perception and how we understand it. In part 2 we’ll explore how we got in the mess and how distortion in perception is created. Finally, in part 3 we will identify the change process in “knowing the truth and being set free.”
Let’s look through the lens of scripture to see a universal working idea behind perception and how we know what we know. Proverbs 23:7 reads; “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Accurate perception can help us to “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect”. This perceptual view often requires a transformation of mind (Rom. 12:2). Other terms for perception include; defining, interpreting and representing. The scriptures encourage us that "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor.2:16). Christ was first among the wise and without perceptual distortion. James 3:17 says the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
We all define, interpret and represent concepts, places, things, people, God and everything else everyday. In other words, we make meaning of life. We do this differently because we have different life experiences. We have also been taught differently. Maybe we didn’t need anyone to help us distort reality as we can miss-read it all by ourselves - it happens everyday. We do know that God said to “fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. What a wonderful world it would be if this were easily done. Why can't we think, feel and see things more clearly and with wisdom? If we are to have the mind of Christ what makes it so difficult to do?
Through a series of experiences and distortions of what is real or true, we acquire “filters” that we automatically see through. Once a person has attached truth to thought it becomes a belief. If you have a distortion rather than truth it will still seem true and still function as a belief. So, if a filter is in place it will effectively blur our perception. This can create a struggle and misunderstanding in many life situations and circumstances like relationships, school, work, parenting, ministry, and on and on. It doesn’t matter if we believe a lie in place of the truth, the consequences will still be lived out as if the belief were true. Let’s suppose we’re logically aware of the false nature of the belief. Our emotions and what is felt can still give the impression that the belief is true – “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”
