13
Feb
2009
A Funny Way of Seeing Things
Perceptions are a funny thing. Have you ever noticed the way you see things can be very different from the way someone else will see the same thing? It happens all the time in all sorts of relationships; with family, friends and associates. People say, “I see it my way, and you see it your way –let’s just agree to disagree” (which is still disagreement). Funny thing too, sometimes the more you try to explain yourself the more mixed-up things can get. And other times just a-look or a gesture (or no gesture at all) can be perceived to say much more, or something completely different. Has it happened to you? People misunderstand, misconstrue and misinterpret, because we have a funny way of seeing things.
Over the years I have been misjudged many times; I’m sure you have too. People have misread my intentions, misheard my message, and have misrepresented me to others. And the funny thing is; I’m sure I’ve done the same to some of them. We don’t like it when it happens to us, yet do the very thing to other people; funny huh?
And often what we perceive about a person will determine how we interact (or not) with them. Have you said or heard; “She seems mad, I better let her alone today” or “He seems tired, I won’t bother him now” or “They seem so busy, I’ll just do it myself”? Many times perceptions are a way of conceiving something in our mind to protect, excuse, or justify the way we feel about someone or something. But they are often wrong, and frequently used as a springboard for accusation; “She’s an angry person” or “He’s unapproachable” or “They don’t care”. Perception can be deceiving.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? –1 Corinthians 2:11a NIV
Sadly many Spirit-filled Christians label perceptions as ‘discernment’. People say, “The Lord showed me something about that person” and then critically change the way they treat them or feel compelled to help them with ‘their problem’. But the funny thing is many times we’re seeing the ‘speck’ in someone else’s eye but do not perceive the plank in our own (see Luke 6:41). We must be careful not to spiritualize a critical spirit in our own lives because “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). There is no question that we need discernment, but the Bible says that:
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. –Proverbs 18:15 NIV.
We must remain hungry for the knowledge of the truth concerning other people and circumstances, and be diligent to seek it out; but even more so with our own hearts. Especially with our own hearts! Lord, help us to perceive the right way, from your perspective, and change our funny way of seeing things.