Perception and Reality

In a recent important political event our nation has witnessed something on live television that has brought to the forefront an important truth that we are all facing, that we need to consider very seriously. Like never before the difference between perception and reality is being blurred or eliminated. This is not anything new, but with the information age, virtual reality and AI, it is easier now than ever before. Perception is defined as perceiving something with the senses. It is the process or state of being aware of something. So, we can be aware of many things, but that in itself does not mean that what we are aware of is reality. 

For many today it seems perception has become reality. It means that people are superficially aware of something and that in turn brings them to believe that this is reality. Reality is the quality or state of being actual or true. 

Todays perceptions are built and formed through images and words/phrases that are repeated over and over again. Those that are exposed to them, that see them, listen to them over and over again will slowly form a perception about things, about certain topics of public or social interest. Once they have formed that perception, once they become aware, little by little it becomes a reality for them, and they begin to believe it.

There are many examples in society and business to prove that. Just investigate the story of bacon or cigarettes in the United States. You will find advertisements were doctors proclaim the benefit of both products. Did you know that bacon never really was a breakfast staple until the Beech-Nut Packing Company in the 1920s wanted to increase consumer demand for bacon. With the help of advertisements and the encouragement of five thousand doctors that through a “study” confirmed that a heavier breakfast would be beneficial to the American public, it was published in newspapers and magazines and greatly improved the profits of that company. Today, bacon is still a staple food for many in the mornings. Bacon can be seen even in the old Western movies, while the eating bacon started only in the 1920s in American society. These advertisements formed a new perception about a product.  

The same was done with tobacco. Who can forget the old advertisements of men and women smoking proclaiming the “mildness” of their product, or even claiming that their cigarette ” Will not affect your throat”. Again, a perception was built.

Of course we know that the reality about these two products is very different and it is up to us to differentiate between perception and reality. In the Bible we can find a very good example:

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

Here a new king was to be anointed for the people of Israel. The prophet Samuel was on that mission and we see here that Samuel was looking at the sons of Jesse one by one, and in his mind he finally saw the one that he thought should be the new king. But, the Lord tells him something very important: Do not look at his countenance, his appearance. Do not look at his height, in other words, do not look at what you can observe with your eyes. God knows, and we know that to be true also, that when we see a person for the first time, it takes us a very short time to have a perception of that person. If that person is dressed all nice, clean, with expensive clothing, jewelry, we right away have the perception that this person must be successful, must be educated and have a good job or own a company. But, if we see a person all dirty, with torn clothing, barefoot, our perception of that person would be very different. 

That is the importance about the difference between perception and reality is taught here in this scripture. God tells the prophet Samuel that he does not look at the outward appearance, but at the heart. For us today, living in this fast paced world, we must do the same thing. We can no longer look at the outward appearance of things, and rely only on perceptions, but we must look at the heart of the matter of the things that are presented to us. 

Many today view politics only through their superficial perception of things such as social, racial or economic talking points . Others have only their perception about a certain candidate that might be running for office. If we in the past could be influenced to smoke cigarettes and eat bacon, do think that it is possible that we in the same manner today could be influenced to purchase certain products, follow or support certain social movements, or vote for a certain candidate?

If we live only based on the perception of things, then we become a people that live far removed from reality.

Pastor Andreas Fischer

P.S. In my new book “The Illusion of Choice”, now available in print and ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes/iBook you can learn more about this very important topic.