Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "perceives" refers to the ability to understand, discern, or become aware of something through the senses or the mind. This concept is significant in Scripture as it often relates to spiritual insight and understanding granted by God.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, perceiving is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding given by God. For instance, in the book of Proverbs, the importance of perception is highlighted as a key aspect of wisdom. Proverbs 1:2-3 states, "To know wisdom and discipline, to comprehend the words of insight, to receive instruction in wise living, in righteousness, justice, and equity." Here, perceiving is linked to the comprehension of insight and the reception of instruction. The prophets also speak of perception in terms of spiritual awareness. Isaiah 6:9-10 records God's command to Isaiah: "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." This passage underscores the spiritual blindness and lack of perception among the people, which prevents them from turning to God. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, perception continues to be a theme, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 13:13-15 , Jesus explains why He speaks in parables: "This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’ For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes." Here, Jesus highlights the lack of spiritual perception among the people, which prevents them from understanding His message. The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of perception in his letters. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , Paul prays for the believers: "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Paul emphasizes the need for spiritual perception, which comes through divine enlightenment, to fully grasp the hope and riches found in Christ. Spiritual Perception Spiritual perception is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for divine assistance to truly understand and discern spiritual truths. This perception is not merely intellectual but involves the heart and spirit, requiring openness to God's revelation. The Bible teaches that true perception is a gift from God, enabling believers to see beyond the physical and comprehend the spiritual realities of His kingdom. Practical Implications For believers, the call to perceive is a call to seek God's wisdom and understanding actively. It involves prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the heart. As Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages, "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." This pursuit of perception is integral to growing in faith and living a life that honors God. Library Man Alone of Animate Creatures Perceives the Eternal Reasons of ... Having Heard the Bishop, He Perceives the Force of the Catholic ... How Difficult it is to Demonstrate the Trinity by Natural Reason. Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent Whether the Prophetic vision is Always Accompanied by Abstraction ... Whether the Intelligible Species Abstracted from the Phantasm is ... Whether the Intellectual Soul Knows Itself by Its Essence? The Academic Philosophy. Plato Suggested Certain Errors to the Gnostics. Functions of the ... Contemplation Thesaurus Perceives (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Perceives (2 Occurrences). Job ... (See RSV). Proverbs 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her ... /p/perceives.htm - 6k Feeling (59 Occurrences) Discerner (1 Occurrence) Perceivest (2 Occurrences) Craftiness (8 Occurrences) Crafty (15 Occurrences) Craft (14 Occurrences) Perceived (57 Occurrences) Cherubim (63 Occurrences) Profitable (34 Occurrences) Resources How does creationism vs. evolution impact how a person views the world? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between fornication and adultery? | GotQuestions.org Does God have a sense of humor? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Perceives (2 Occurrences)Job 14:21 Proverbs 31:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |