I think one of the most important concepts is the concept of perspective. Perspective is how you see things. Two people can see the same thing, but have totally different reactions to it, based on different perspectives. One sees something as great, and the other sees it as horrible. How often do you consider your perspective?
Isn’t it time we stop and think about our perspective and ask ourselves some questions about how we see things? Here are three quick questions we all need to ask from time to time:
1. Am I seeing things from a selfish perspective?
Often we fail to see beyond on our own noses. We get our feelings hurt easily, we throw ourselves a pity party or a temper tantrum, and we even hurt others because we are seeing things from a selfish perspective. This even happens in the church. People are upset because some change, that benefits countless others, slightly inconveniences them. Instead of seeing the change as positive, they see it as completely negative because they only see it from a selfish perspective.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
2. Am I seeing things from a fleshly perspective?
It is a struggle to see beyond the flesh; to see things not from a perspective of “what feels good,” but, “what is good.” When Christians decide that indulging in worldly behavior is “no big deal,” they do so because they are seeing things from a fleshly perspective.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:16-21).
3. Am I seeing things from a short-term perspective?
One of the signs of maturity is being able to delay pleasure and plan for the future. The immature live for the here-and-now, but the mature live with the future in mind. So often we are impatient and impetuous because we see things from a short-term perspective. It is time we start seeing everything with eternity in mind. Your decision to have sex with someone or drink alcohol may make you feel good right now, but you’ve got to consider how it will impact where you spend eternity.
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24-25).
These are just three questions to ask about how you look at things; there are countless others. Spend some time considering your perspective and how it might need to be adjusted from time to time.
I love you and God loves you,
