How To Manage People's Perception Of YouSýnishorn

In this plan, I want to explain a concept that I pray will open your eyes to how people perceive you. I call it your “third self.”

It’s based on an understanding of how people see their worlds, and the types of underlying issues that affect how they live and act in those worlds. 

When we learn what motivates people, their actions make a little more sense to us. For example, consider the following fictional examples: 

• Samantha retreats every time politics is brought up, because her best friend disowned her over political differences.
• William gets aggressive when he’s denied respect or when someone else gets the credit he deserves, because he grew up in poverty and felt trampled on throughout his childhood.
• Todd gets short with subordinates who don’t understand his direction, because his father demanded unquestioning obedience, even when his commands were unreasonable or unclear.

I think we all instinctively know people’s unseen realities can affect them in dramatic ways. Think about how your own perceptions and biases are colored by your past. 

When we become believers, we become new creations, but unfortunately, we retain our old memories!

Jesus often addressed biases, especially legalism. In one instance He challenged a Jewish crowd for their superficial understanding of the law that kept them from seeing who He really was. 

The law actually pointed to Him, but they couldn’t see it – they wouldn’t see it.

Many people just will not perceive anything beyond what they want to see or hear; they refuse to see outside their own spheres of belief, or past what they already know. 

Let’s dig more into how we as Christians can use biblical truth to break through these walls, manage perceptions, and gain a deeper understanding of people.