Scientists have been able to show in repeated experimental studies that people’s perception of reality – even what they see, hear and recall – is warped by their experience, beliefs and expectations.
I did a national study while working on my master’s degree, relating to the concept of "dogmatism." I found the current test for dogmatism seriously flawed and pretty much predetermined anyone assessed as “dogmatic” had to be on one political or religious extreme or the other.
I questioned the assessment test because I know a lot of people who are considered on the political or religious extreme, and they are still very open to new information and ideas. And I know people in the middle of the road who are very closed to new ideas and use “security in numbers” as their rationale that they must be right, since most people agree with them.
I noted the “middle of the road” is always changing. What is now considered extreme used to be middle of the road, and vice versa.
As part of that research I presented participants with several scenarios relating to world affairs, economics, etc., and asked respondents to predict the future, based on their beliefs and understandings. Each scenario had four possible outcomes, but the typical respondent -- regardless of which outcome he chose -- said his own prediction had a 75-90 percent chance of being accurate.
Of course, in each scenario, some of the respondents eventually turned out to be accurate in their prediction, but, again, their degree of certainty did not depend on which prediction they selected.
My research made me question whether anyone is capable of being open-minded and whether we are ALL essentially "dogmatic."
We all have our own conceptual framework that helps the world make sense to us. Anything that fails to fit into our framework is "nonsense." And that’s a problem in our sincere search for truth.
To me, the only option in trying to escape our conceptual prison is clear, unfantasized revelation from God. That's why several of my personal "revelations" are so important to me. They included elements that could not be fantasized or manipulated by self-deception.
When I was wanting to become a minister, God said, “No.” It was a strong impression, but I did not understand. I had planned from my early childhood to become a minister.
God led me to ask for four specific signs to confirm that I understood his message properly. In fact, one of the four signs was that the other three would occur in a surprising way with no effort on my part. And that is exactly how they occurred.
When I began looking for what God really did want me to do with my life, he answered my prayers again. After extended prayer, he “told me” he would open the next door to me in two weeks – and he did.
Truth must come from God -- not from emotionalism, tradition, prejudice or even intellect – because we cannot trust our perceptions and preferences.
Ultimately, what God tells us to do is what we need to do – to us, that has to be “our truth,” no matter what he tells anyone else. However, it is not always easy to “hear” God’s still small voice. So, it is reassuring to have some kind of confirmation from time to time.
As a lay church leader I had a clear revelation that was “seen” by a member of the congregation as a light coming through the ceiling. She saw the light as a sign to help build her faith, but only I knew she saw the light exactly when I was receiving an important revelation as to some important changes we had to make in running the small church.
When I was struggling with my own business, I received a revelation that my debt and revenue crisis would both be resolved the next Tuesday -- five days later. The impression was so strong, I recorded it in my journal – and it came to pass. I had no reason except that revelation to think anything was going to happen on that day, but when Tuesday arrived, I met with a business executive who not only hired me at a very good salary but bought my business for the amount of my debt.
When I was asked by my church to oversee seven area Boy Scout troops, I explained I was working five nights a week at the Tri-City Herald and could not see how I could fulfill the calling very well. But I said if the church leaders were sure about their inspiration in issuing the call, I would accept it.
The next day I prayed extensively for God to make it possible for me to fulfill my new duties without ignoring my family. That afternoon I was made an unexpected and unsolicited offer for a better-paying 9-5 job in technical communications.
God will answer our sincere prayers if asked in faith, meekness (spiritual openness), and with a willingness to obey – even when our senses say what we are “hearing” or “feeling” makes no sense.
God is the source of truth, and only through clear personal inspiration can we be sure what his will is for us. There is NOTHING more important each day than to pursue God’s inspiration.