I have written before on this blog about first impressions. What we perceive is very often not the true picture.
In Back to the Future when Doc finds out it takes 1.21 gigawatts of electricity to transport the DeLorean back to the future his first thought is “Tom (referring to Thomas Edison), it can’t be done!” Of course, movie magic makes it happen. 🙂
On a more serious note, our perceptions of people are often not correct. It is easy to be judgmental and critical of a person’s appearance, job, clothing, car, looks, etc. We form immediate opinions, for example, on someone with piercings (ouch!), color of hair, and tats.
But even worse is when we take part in listening to and even voicing them to others. It is especially critical for Christ-followers to keep their mouth shut and know the whole story before speaking. My daughter Tami posted a video on her blog I thought was really good. It says far better what I want to say than my own words. I’d like to ask you to watch it and then comment. Be forewarned: it is in Japanese but does have subtitles. Here is the video.
Any thoughts?
I am one to form quick first impressions based on my immediate perceptions. I am still trying to get better at this and still often struggle.
You are not alone Daniel.
When you are judging people you are playing God. How many Christians like to pretend they are God?
I like to try and discern a persons primary personality type. This allows me to know the actions that most motivate or demotivate them. It’s just a game I play with the people I have to interact with.
These types are Driver, Amiable, Expressive and Analytic.
Well said Jeff. We don’t have the right to play or pretend to be God. Knowing someone and their personality is essential. Thanks.
Wow… Point made with that video. Only God knows the heart of others, and yet we so often in our fallen flesh pretend we can know anything… as if we were “as gods.”
Thanks for the reminder today, Bill. This was a good one.
Well said Floyd. Our flesh falls so far short of being able to discern anything. Glad it was a good reminder.
I have recently realized that I am a very critical person. Even watching TV, I feel the need to say something about people’s appearance. I am sickened by this behavior. I am asking the Lord to keep my mouth shut at times like these. The video was so touching and helps me remember why I need to change. Thank you for writing and sharing. You are a blessing.
I am touched by your honesty and transparency Melanie. It is a hard thing to stop. I am still trying. Thanks for the kind words as well.
I have always been quick to make judgment’s. It was after I had someone make a wrong judgment on me that God begin to teach me there is a difference between
judgment and discernment, one is the flesh and one of the Lord. Godly discernment looks through grace and mercy when judging anyone. Floyd title of his blog says it well, “theregoI”. I posted the powerful video to my fb
wall. Great post Bill.
Glad you were able to discern your own weakness in this area Betty. That is a wise woman who can do that. 🙂 Hope the video is well liked, watched and listened to.
Kleenex alert! You know I would love this video……I hope the message gets conveyed. I have learned a lot of things about “forming” opinions about other people I don’t know from working in the school. I often listen to a lot of “opinions” during lunch and I don’t say anything, I just let all the talking continue. Shame on me for not standing up and shame on me for the times when I am the one forming the opinion.
It is bad to sit by if you know the truth. But it is even worse to pass along a known untruth.
I liked that video, although I guessed the ending since you had introduced it in the context of first impressions 🙂
Bummer! 🙂