Have you ever had someone say something like this, “From what I heard your church is really a cult” or “I thought that all Baptists had to wear certain types of clothes” and so on? It is amazing how often we have come against the preconceived ideas of people. They heard something and so they developed a perception that was not based in reality at all. They believed a half-truth or even a lie and thus judged us according to their perception. But we can not just simply ignore their perception as we must understand that their misconception still will drive their actions toward us and toward our God.
There are people who have never darkened the doorway of our church, but they think they know enough about our church to say that they will never attend any services. We cannot ignore that we must do something.
There are people who will “never" trust a pastor because they knew a pastor once that was ungodly or misrepresented the ministry. We cannot just attack them for this conception because it may be true or at the very least it may be what they perceive to the truth and that needs to change.
So what are we to do when people’s perception are wrong? As always, God’s Word has an answer.
In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manessah were verbally honored by Joshua for faithfully fighting for the other nine and a half tribes against the pagan people of Canaan. You see these two and half tribes had already conquered their land on the east side of Jordan, but they continued on fight for the other nine and half tribes fight so that they might get their land too. These faithful “eastern tribes” fought on in spite of the fact that their land was secure because their land was conquered early in the conquest. This was very different from some of the tribes, as many of the other nine and half tribes immediately stopped frighting and settled their land as soon as they conquered it. Some had stopped helping the others, but Reuben, Gad, and half of Manessah did not. So in Joshua 22:1-6 Joshua blesses these two and half tribes for being faithful to the end of the conquering time and then releases them to go back to their previously conquered land on the east of Jordan to settle and enjoy it.
In Joshua 22:7-9 these two and half tribes receive a reward and then return to their land to live in peace and safety.
But then in Joshua 22:10-20 the nine and half tribes hear something that cause them to rise up verbally attacking and militarily preparing to attack Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manessah. Their reason for such an act? They had heard that these eastern tribes were building an altar on their side of the Jordan river for less than godly purposes. These two and half faithful tribes were being accused of idolatry and unfaithfulness to God and are even compared to Achan for taking the accursed thing (Joshua 22:20).
These western tribes had a perception of the other two and half tribes and were prepared to destroy them for what was a perceived as rebellion against God. Now mind you the altar being built was not for pagan worship at all, but was to be an altar to worship Jehovah since the tabernacle was on the west side of Jordan and to cross the Jordan not always possible. So these eastern tribes were trying to establish a faithful place to worship where they lived - not an attempt to serve idols, as was the perception.
The western tribes armed themselves and confronted the others because of the perception. The reaction of these two and half tribes is a wonderful lesson for us today as we battle the perception of people toward our God and our church ministries.
First, the eastern tribes recognized that God knew their hearts and that He would be their ultimate Judge (Joshua 22:22-23). They did not get angry, but understood that people will act upon what they know/believe to be true. As an example in our world, a previous pastor or church member may have been a poor testimony and thus you are perceived to be in that same vein. Be patient and let the Lord be your judge.
Second, the eastern tribes saw their duty to live for God on a personal level was more important that trying to undue the perceptions of others (Joshua 22:24-26). These two and half tribes knew that their children needed a place to worship and did not want to keep them from the sacrifices that the Law of God demanded, thus they built the altar on their side of Jordan. For us today, we must know that doing right toward our God and our family is above all the misconceptions of those around us.
Third, the two and half tribes changed their plans when confronted because they admitted that setting up an altar away from the Tabernacle was not in God’s design. In other words they admitted that though the perception was wrong of idolatry, there was not a complete faithfulness in their plans (Joshua 22:27-29). They admitted that the altar on their side of Jordan should not offer their sacrifices but that they MUST be offered before the Tabernacle alone. In our world today, we must accept that all Christians make mistakes and that Satan will gladly use that against anyone he can to destroy the testimony of others. If someone made a mistake in the past, including you, then there is no shame or harm in admitting that mistake. You can do such without assaulting the cause of Christ or gossiping. You can say something like, “I’m sorry that happened, but every person is a sinner and being a Christian/pastor/teacher/deacon does not make you perfect.”
Last, the eastern tribes left the altar standing as memorial for everyone to realize that misconceptions happen but that faithfulness should be the end goal not worry about perceptions (Joshua 22:27-34). The western tribes admitted they were wrong in their perception, but that came as a result of their concern for holiness which most people do not have today. So don’t expect people today to accept that truth is different from perception because they are spiritually blind. Also we that seek to be faithful must realize that only the truth can set anyone free not the correction of every misconception (John 8:32).
Misconceptions are going to taker place and we must follow Bible examples to clarify them. But even if the truth is clear, we must also accept that some are struggling with spiritual battles and truth is not really their main concern. Remember that Jesus preached the truth and they crucified Him for it.
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