Perceiver
You are a perceiver. All the motivational orientations are important, but this one is often more prominent or visible than some of the others. Since you have this orientation, that’s usually fine with you, but it can be a challenge sometimes because you may have a tendency to become dependent on recognition from people.
Introduction
These orientations are based the gifts listed by Paul in Romans 12:6-8, in which he says that each member of the body of Christ has a gift, each gift is important and the gift is given to serve the rest. The emphasis here is on serving the body, and Paul says to exercise our gift according to the grace given to us. It’s the style in which you act.
“⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 (NASB)
This orientation is based on the gift of prophecy spoken of in Romans 12:6.
Definition
The word “prophecy” is translated from the Greek word prophetia, from the root phemi, and is defined as to show or make known one’s thoughts, to speak, say or affirm.
The gift of prophecy might be better termed the gift of “insight”, or being able to “see.” This is a derivative of the ancient term “seers,” given to those who were known for their ability to see things in the future. Even more compatible to the motivational aspect or design aspect of this gift is calling this the gift of “perceiving.”
The translated word in this verse is “prophecy,” which is really a transliteration of the Greek word prophetia. “Paul does not give a definition of prophecy here, but if we are to judge from the earlier reference to it in 1 Corinthians 14:3, 31, the nature of the gift is not primarily prediction, but rather on communicating revealed truth that will both convict and build up the hearer.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary) Paul says in 1 Cor.. 14:3 “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.” (NASB) It’s not focused on forseeing the future, although that is one of the ways the gift can be manifest. It is bringing a specific word from God to people that builds them up and exhorts them as needed for their situation.
Paul says to exercise the gifts given according to the grace given us in verse 6. In this verse the one who prophesies is told to prophesy “according to the proportion of his faith.” (NASB) This would suggest that those who have the gift can grow in it as their faith grows with the practice of the gift. When they operate in the gift, they are communicating revealed truth as prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can give the person prophesying more to communicate and perhaps more important things to communicate as the person’s faith increases. And do it with grace!
Being the “eyes of the body,” of all the members of the body “perceivers,” are the most gifted with spiritual sight. They see things that most of the rest of the body simply do not see. “But blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied) are your eyes, because they do see, (Matthew 13:16).
Those who move in this gift have a more direct intuitive sense about where people and things “really are.” They seem able to discern, like a moral compass the inner motives of people in ways that others do not. The basic tendency is to view any person, group or situation in light of their life before God and moral standards with a proclivity to speak what they perceive. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22, 23). Because of this, it is imperative that those with a “perceiver” gifting be aware of how they are affecting the rest of the body. The motivation and purpose of prophesy is to build up the body, so even if you are perceiving negative things, it is your responsibility to hear from Heaven about the person. Prophesying negative things is not the primary purpose of this gift. You need to build up, encourage, edify, and strengthen the Body. You should judge words before you give them as to whether or not they are positive and encouraging.
Of all the designs, this is the person who cannot afford pollution or sin in his life, for if he/she does, his/her sight becomes clouded. Because the rest of the body counts on these perceivers to accurately identify and proclaim the will of God, if the perceiver is not walking in purity of life, his/her vision is impaired and what he/she states as truth may, in fact, be error, leading many astray.
As with every design, there is a cost, and the cost of walking through life as a perceiver who affects the Body in a positive manner is living a life set apart and holy, even refraining from activities that others in the Body may not have a problem with. Perceivers must guard their hearts and minds so that they can hear clearly from Heaven.
Characteristics of Perceiving in the Life of Peter
1. The need to express thoughts and ideas verbally, especially regarding right and wrong. Peter spoke more often than any of the other disciples, even doing the speaking for the early church, (Acts 2:4; 3:12).
2. The tendency to make quick judgments on what is seen and heard and to speak up quickly. Peter spoke first more than the rest, (Matthew 14:28; 15:15; 16:16; 17:4; 19:27; 26:33; John 6:68).
3. An amazing ability to sense when someone or something is not what it appears to be and to react, sometimes harshly to dishonesty. Peter’s condemnation of the deception of Ananias and Sapphira resulted in their death, (Acts 5:3 - 10).
4. A desire to reject those who offend so that justice will be done and others will be warned. Peter was reluctant in forgiving his offender and asked how long he should put up with him, (Matthew 18:21).
5. An openness about personal faults and failures and honesty about himself as well as others. Peter fell on his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,” (Luke 5:8).
6. A tendency to be impulsive in actions and to be wholeheartedly involved in whatever is done. Peter was eager to walk on the water in Matthew 14:28, forbade Jesus to wash his feet, then asked Him to wash his hands and head, (John 13:6 - 10).
7. A tendency to be painfully direct when correcting friends. Peter even rebuked Jesus for the course of action, which Peter did not think, was right for Him to take, (Mark 8:31 - 33).
8. A desire to give open evidences of loyalty and total commitment. Peter assured Jesus that he would never deny Him, and even defended Jesus by cutting off the ear of the High Priest’s servant, (Matthew 26:33; John 18:10).
9. A willingness to suffer for doing what is right. Peter rejoiced in being counted worthy to endure the shame for Jesus when he was beaten for obeying God rather than man, (Acts 5:29 - 42).
10. An ability to be very persuasive in defining what is right and what is wrong. God used Peter to bring conviction to thousands as he pointed out in his Pentecost sermon, “...you have taken Jesus, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Him,” (Acts 2:14 – 47).
Challenges with the Gift of Perceiving
People with this gift may experience the following:
1. Correcting people who are not their responsibility.
2. Jumping to conclusions about words, actions and motives.
3. Reinforcing a condemning spirit.
4. Judging and exposing rather than restoring the offender.
5. Cutting off the person who has failed.
6. Dwelling on the negative rather than the positive.
7. Lacking cautiousness and tactfulness in expressing opinions.
8. Demanding a positive response to a harsh rebuke.
9. Condemning themselves when they fail.
10. Accusing others of deception if they don’t fully reveal their faults.