Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Memory Verse: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Lesson Aim: To discuss how impressions and perceptions affect our thinking and relationships with others.
Key Points - Impressions are outward while perceptions are inward. - Our perceptions are developed by what we are taught, how we are taught and experience. - As we continue to yield our minds to the Lord, our perceptions of people and the impressions we give should be a reflection of Christ.
Webster defines an impression as an effect produced on the mind or senses by some external force or influence. Impressions are outward. A perception is an interpretation and/or recognition of an impression in the light of past experiences. Perceptions are inward. The impact of impressions and perceptions in the area of human relations is obvious. People influence each other. We make impressions and we have perceptions. This can also be true of circumstances. Our decisions and responses to people and circumstances are often based upon our perceptions of past impressions.
Our perceptions also impact our lives in the area of faith. What we see with our eyes, hear with our ears and experience with our senses impact us such that we may find it difficult to walk by faith. Perceptions are developed by what we are taught, how we are taught and our experiences. If the development of our perceptions is tainted, our perceptions will be also. Because we frame the present and future in the experiences of the past, many times we cannot see or believe beyond our past experiences.
We find an example of this in I Samuel 16 when the prophet Samuel goes to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel. When Samuel looked upon Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, he was impressed. Based on Eliab’s appearance, Samuel thought Eliab would be the next king. God corrected the prophet’s perception by telling him not to look on his appearance or his height, for God considers the heart. Samuel’s perception of Eliab was based upon his experiences when he anointed Saul king of Israel. Eliab was tall like Saul; thus, Samuel was moved by his perception rather than God’s discernment.
In John 4, Jesus met a woman at the well. After speaking with Jesus, the woman said, “Sir I perceive that thou art a prophet.” Based upon the impression Jesus gave, he met the criteria of her perception of what a prophet was. Of course, Jesus was greater than a prophet but she had nothing else to relate him to. That’s all she knew. Like the prophet Samuel and the woman at the well, we too have perceptions of others based upon the impressions they give. Hence, we often run the risk of having false positives and false negatives.
It is only through discernment that we can harness the impact of impressions and perceptions. Discernment is the ability to grasp and comprehend what you cannot see. Jesus had keen discernment and was not impressed with people. He did not rely on what people did outwardly. He could see past the outward because discernment focuses on character and motives. Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to discern. Oh, to be like Jesus! Our prayer is that we continue to yield our minds to the Lord, so that our perceptions of people and the impressions we give will be a reflection of Christ.
Questions and Discussion
- Define the following and explain the differences between them.
Impression
Perception
Discernment - Identify the points of perception, impression, and discernment in the following passages of Scripture. Luke 7:36-50; Luke 19:1-10; Genesis 27; John 4:6-30; Acts 10 and 11:1-18.
- In the light of the potential for false positives and false negatives, what do these Scriptures suggest? 1 Samuel 16:7; Titus 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 1 Corinthians 13:5.
- How can our impressions and perceptions affect our faith? 2 Kings 5:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:7.
- Discuss the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.