IMPRESSION AND PERCEPTION

From My Perspective - - - 

One of the definitions of perception is: “immediate or intuitive recognition or appreciation, as of moral, psychological, or aesthetic qualities; insight; intuition; discernment.” The Synonyms are: “awareness, sense, recognition.” There are at least two important aspects of interactional life: (1) the impression one makes when meeting another person or group of people. An often used cliche is: “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” The significance to the validity of this  cliche is that “you will never have a second chance to make a first impression.” (2) Perceptions occur in the way one presents himself. A sloppy appearance would indicate a careless or indifferent person. A limp hand shake would indicate a lack of self-confidence. Slouching might indicate individual insecurity. Rightly or wrongly, impressions are made and perceptions are formed from the beginning of an interactional relationship.

On November 3, 2014, Peggy Noonan’s Posted Blog was titled: “How To Lose and Win Graciously.” Her thesis, observation and perception regarding the 2014 elections was: “If the president’s party loses big on Tuesday, as appears likely, much of the loss will be due to 3 C’s—competence, coherence and credibility. Competence: The administration has shown little talent for or focused interest in running the federal government well, and has managed the executive agencies very poorly. Coherence: The administration has been unable to explain persuasively the reasoning behind its current priorities (global warming? really?) or its decisions in areas from foreign policy to Ebola in a way that has allowed the public to follow their thinking. Credibility: If you want your doctor you can keep your doctor, red lines, it’s highly unlikely Ebola will come here, there’s not a smidgen of corruption in the IRS, etc. It’s a terrible thing when a president loses his credibility. Absolute failure in any one of the 3 C’s will bring trouble, and when you fail in all three you get very big, even historic trouble.”

If we adapt and apply these considerations to a Biblical Christian lifestyle and interaction with others - “competence, coherence and credibility” - they will be factors in the impression one makes upon others and the perceptions that will be formed by them. The Biblical Christian, in addition to being measure by these three verities, will also be measured by other factors that include clarity in articulation, content of one’s character, purpose to one’s life and precision in one’s articulation. When the church was being persecuted in the first century, the Apostle Peter wrote: “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” The key phrase to highlight is: “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15-16). In other translations, the word “reason” is used in place of “make a defense: (apologia). The NLT renders it: “if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”

Two things that Peter links together are vital to a viable impression and perception being formed. The first is “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” It keeps in mind an old Hymn Lyric: “What you are speaks so loud, the world can’t hear what you say. They're looking at your walk not listening to your talk they're judging by your actions every day. Don't believe you'll deceive by claiming what you've never known, they'll accept what they see and know you to be, they'll judge by your life alone.” Once the impression is made that one is living what he is sharing, there will be an openness to accept the authenticity of the defense and reason for the hope has one through the Gospel. What impression do you make with others? What is their perception of the words you share with them? Do they perceive you are faking it and merely going through religious motions? Jesus said: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Does your life reflect Jesus who is the true light? Proverbs 4:18 reminds us, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter…” Do these words describe who you really are? Consider these things with me!