The Way We See It
If I have heard it said once, I have heard it said a thousand times, “perception is reality.” And if I have puked once…well, you know the rest.
What is it with man’s twisted view of reality and truth? Where do we get the idea that reality is what we perceive it to be? Is truth really relative to our own perception of the way things are? Just because a person believes something to be true doesn’t make it true, only believed.
Have you ever argued with someone who is color-blind over the color of a tie? Have you ever tried to convince someone dying of thirst that it’s not really water, but a mirage? Have you ever tried to convince a 3-year-old that germs are real and that hands need to be washed before eating? Some people think they know what they see, but they don’t.
Clean Drunks
Several years ago I was unfortunate enough to transport a bunch of college kids to a party. It was unfortunate because long before some of them ever got on the school bus they had already been drinking.
The place they were going to was up a mountain. About 5 minutes into the trip, about the third or fourth curve, one girl decided to vomit on the window, down the inside wall, and between the seats. It was all liquid, all alcohol, and all nasty. A few minutes later she felt she was ready to go party some more, for, in her eyes, she was perfectly clean. The only problem was that we (everyone on the bus) could tell she was soaked…in other words, we weighed the “spirits.”
God Sees Everything
When it comes to self-perception, reality is what God sees. He not only sees the outside, but the heart is bare before Him.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. – Proverbs 16:2
As the proverb says, a man may consider himself clean and his motives pure, which is his own perception of reality, but the Lord knows what’s really going on.
It is foolish for men to try to justify their sinful, dirty actions before a holy God. It is foolish to depend on our own perception of what is right and wrong. Our eyes only want to see what makes us look good, not evil.
That is why we need God’s wisdom.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
The Recovering Legalist 
I have heard that phrase before during my working days. What it meant of course was that people and/or employees had an opinion about what the company was doing. The implication was we needed to know the perception because it was truth to them and give out the correct information. Texaco had a sign in the stations once that said their customers were more like a parade than a concert—-customers coming and going and new ones not really knowing what they were all about other than selling gas of course.
I think some denominations confuse the main issues of the Bible.
1. Man is sinful
2. There will come a day of judgement
3. Jesus paid for sins and must be believed and accepted by faith.
Denominations differ on end times, which Bible translation to use, security of the Believer, etc. I have heard preaching in which the speaker surmises that 95% of people attending church are not ‘true’ Christians.
Therefore, the perception of lost people is tainted by the little they know about religion, church, and sin.
My wife from the beginning has been zealous in one on one witnessing sharing the Gospel with them. I witness, but not like her. lol
What I am saying is that those speaking for God to sinners, need to focus on the main points, not the other issues.
I loved reading your post today. You brought back many happy memories from my career.
blessings
frank