Perception
Perception is a quality of mind that is very important to our ability to navigate everyday life. If you use a computer for example, the need to perceive the intent of a message is becoming increasingly valuable as scammers are mounting an all-out war on your financial stores. Many cases are reported of senior citizens losing their life savings because they did not perceive a scam.
We need to be on guard and that requires an awareness of things through physical senses, especially sight. In other words, to become aware of something through the senses.
In this, people tend to vary in depth of perception. Maybe it is the way they were raised, or just personality. But some people are better at gathering information and processing it to deal with the issues of life than others.
However, perception is also a spiritual quality that every one of us can develop.
Perceive means “to see”. So, perceptive is a word to describe someone who is good at seeing. A perceptive person is good at gathering information and using their senses to take in the world. Spiritual quality also involves seeing. When answering the disciple’s question as to why He spoke in parables, Christ said.
“But blessed are your eyes for they shall see, and your ears for they hear.” He then went on to point out that prophets and righteous men of old did not see what they could see (Matthew 13:11-17).
He was of course, referring to their spiritual sight. The ability to gather information and process it with understanding. This ability is a factor of the Holy Spirit working with the human mind.
“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
This is true for everyone who has God’s Spirit. However, it needs to be said that there are levels of perception because there are levels of God’s Spirit which work with minds. Christ was very perceptive of things and attitudes around Him as He was filled with the Spirit. Paul indicated the various capabilities when he said,
“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw …” (1 Corinthians 3:12).
Clearly our level of perception will be in direct proportion to God’s Spirit working within us. We have a part to play in gaining perception.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit …” (Ephesians 5:15-18).
We must be diligent to build on a strong, solid foundation. If we do, we will be able to “see” more clearly and be more responsive to what we see.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Brian Orchard
