We make split-second perceptions all the time. In fact, we just cannot help making snap judgments about the people and places we meet. For an in-depth exploration of this check out Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink!.
It’s no use trying to stop this, but it is very important that we try to evaluate them. Often our perceptions about others are just plain wrong. They also tend to affect the way we treat the person from then on, so it’s important to make sure they have a solid basis. Quite frankly, our perceptions often show just how far removed we are from the heart of Jesus. When our perceptions are based simply on how a person looks and we allow that to continue to shape our view of them, I fear that we are way off-base from Jesus.
How can we evaluate our perceptions of others?
- Be aware of them. Take some time to stop and evaluate the speedy perceptions that you make about others. Is my perception true? Am I perceiving this person as Jesus would? Being aware of our perceptions will help us see the folly in some of them.
- Interact with the person. Perhaps the greatest way to evaluate perceptions is to have meaningful interaction with the person. When we interact, we learn things about the person – their past experiences, their current struggles, and their heart. It has been my experience that this information totally changes the way I look at the person.
Jesus said in John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
allencoker
Another good one, FYM! You’ve been knockin them out of the park lately. Thanks for giving me alot to think about.