Consider a few examples: A building may be perceived as structurally sound; but in reality, it may have a weak foundation. A sports car may be perceived as fast, but what if there were no engine under the hood? A stone may be perceived as a diamond, but it may be a cubic zirconia. Handguns are often perceived to empty, but there is often a round in the chamber. On April 10, 1912, the Titanic was perceived to be unsinkable; but on April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank! A person may be perceived as religious, but his heart may be wicked. There is no question that perception is NOT always the reality, unless the truth has been properly perceived.
Consider these biblical illustrations: Perception initially kept the Israelites from conquering the Promised Land, because they didn't believe the reality (truth) that God would defeat the giants. Perception could have kept David from battling Goliath, but he knew the reality; that God gives the victory. Perception caused Gideon to want a big army, but the reality; was that that his small army easily defeated the Midianites. Perception almost kept Jesse from presenting David to be anointed King, but Samuel made clear the reality that...man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7.
Jesus also addressed this idea of "perception vs. reality" as He called-out the Pharisees in Matthew 23,"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." My wife and I have seen those huge, ornate sepulchers (tombs) in Israel. They perception is that they are ornate and beautiful; but the reality is they are filled with the stench of death!
The concept of "real vs. fake" or "perception vs. reality" was a lesson that Jesus drove home repeatedly. In Matt. 13:24-30, He taught this lesson with the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. In Matt. 7:15, He said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira lied and they died. They wanted people to believe something about them that was not true... they were giving a false perception. The culmination of Jesus' warnings of "real vs. fake" comes in Matt. 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” The Bible warns over and over and over again, that many are not what they seem to be on the outside. Take comfort or warning that the day of judgment is coming and the truth will be revealed.
If these passages haven't convinced you that "perception is NOT reality," then let me close with a few final thoughts. The religious crowds (the church folks of the day), perceived Jesus to be the son of Mary & Joseph, but Jesus was the Son of God. They perceived Jesus to be a knowledgeable religious teacher; but He was omniscient. They perceived Jesus to be a simple human, but He was the Creator Who took on the form of His creation. They perceived Jesus to be a blasphemer, but He was the Great I AM! They perceived there are many ways to heaven; but Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father except through Me."
So, is your relationship with Jesus Christ merely a perception, or a reality? Man may look on the outward appearance, but God knows our true heart. Let's make sure our heart is right with God.
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