• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Leading To Life

Leading To Life

Helping you build a better life through better choices.


An Initiative of Church of God, the Father’s Call

Developing a True Perspective

May 24, 2019

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Perspective is a remarkable thing. It defines what an artist does when giving proper height, width, depth and position to various objects or scenes when viewed from a particular vantage point. The viewer sees the objects and scenes as if they would appear in nature – no distortions.

What really makes perspective interesting, however, is that it has an obvious spiritual application as well. In a sense, it makes an artist of each of us. We each draw conclusions in our minds’ eye regarding spiritual matters. A mental picture is painted based on how we perceive spiritual truth. God’s truth is as unchanging as any beautiful mountain scene that has been recorded on canvas – no distortions. But our challenge as God’s children is to mature enough to come to see His unchanging truth without the distortions that spiritual immaturity so easily paints in our minds.

The apostle Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

Just as going from childhood to adulthood on a physical level involves a natural maturing process, so does the spiritual life of a child of God. No one can stop the physical maturation process. We all, whether converted or not, will experience changes in thoughts, speech, and understanding as we age. Paul’s point is that spiritual maturity is something we grow in as well. The only difference is that it’s not an automatic process. Spiritual maturity involves perspective.

That perspective is gained in coming to perceive God’s truth just as He presents it – without distortion, which is another way of saying without pride, a powerful distorter of truth. Imagine the magnitude of the perspective change in the early church after Peter had baptized Cornelius and his family. And yet when the brethren in Jerusalem heard Peter’s account, they first became silent and then glorified God saying, “Then God has granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (Acts 11:18). Most humbly saw and accepted the truth without distortion. That issue, however, was a problem for some because they arrogantly clung to their own perspective.

The godly perspective doesn’t come automatically, we must consciously choose it. That’s why it’s something we need to think about seriously. Those in Laodicea were failing spiritually which is why Christ said, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:18-19).

The picture those in this spiritual condition paint in their minds lacks spiritual perspective. Such a person will see him or herself as in need of no change. We need to ask ourselves if there is some area, any area, in our lives in which we are clinging to our own righteousness and thereby distorting the godly perspective. We are each an artist, and our lives are the pictures we’re painting. With God’s help it, let’s continually sharpen our spiritual perspective.

Marshall Stiver

Filed Under: Commandments, Knowing God, Prayer Tagged With: Childish Things, Develop Perspective, Distortion, Laodicea, Spiritual Maturity, Truth

Primary Sidebar

Search

More results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

10 Most Recent Posts

  • The Last Great Day, Rivers of Living Waters
  • The Nature of Christ
  • Misrepresenting God Distances Us from Him
  • Is God Truly Unknowable?  
  • Salvation: Who’s In and Who’s Out
  • The Passover Effect
  • Measurements of Spiritual Growth
  • The Great Deception: Satan Masquerades as an Angel of Light
  • The Son Makes Us Free
  • Confidence, Esteem and Self-Image

Trending – Top 20 – Last 30 Days

  • Gnosticism: Why John Wrote 1 John
  • Ideological Subversion
  • The Truth Will Set You Free?
  • The Garden of Eden Prototype
  • Equality, Equity, and Justice
  • 8 Hindrances of Unity
  • The Purpose of Righteousness
  • Lessons of the Days of Unleavened Bread
  • The 3 D’s of Satan’s Toolbox
  • Time of Christ’s Death and Resurrection
  • Salvation: Who’s In and Who’s Out
  • Misrepresenting God Distances Us from Him
  • Why Not Steal?
  • Pride vs Humility
  • The Collapse of Justice
  • Three Levels of Listening
  • Let the Oppressed Go Free
  • Confidence, Esteem and Self-Image
  • The Precipice
  • The Great Deception: Satan Masquerades as an Angel of Light

Search by Category

Iks Menu
No data found

Copyright © 2025 · LeadingToLife.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
We do not sell or distribute any information.
Accept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT