Perception is Reality

In my last post 'Behind the Curtain: The Hidden Board Guiding America's Future,' we explored how hidden systems of power—political and economic forces—operate behind the scenes to control our perception of reality. Through media, politics, and societal pressures, these forces manipulate how we think, act, and even vote, often without us realizing. But today, we'll uncover how Jesus’ teachings invite us to break free from this false reality and embrace the deeper spiritual truth of the Kingdom of God.

It wasn’t just the Roman government or the religious leaders who held control—it was the entire narrative they created. People’s perceptions were shaped by fear, oppression, and tradition. Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus stepped in with a message that cut through these illusions, offering a new reality—one built on peace, unity, and the Kingdom of God.

Through His parables, His interactions with the oppressed, and His defiance of both religious and political systems, Jesus continuously revealed that true power lies not in the world’s systems, but in God’s Kingdom.

Lately, as I’ve been watching The Chosen, I’ve found myself deeply moved by how Jesus interacted with the people of His time. It’s not just a historical retelling; it brings to life the way people’s perception of reality was shaped by two powerful forces: the oppressive Roman government and the rigid religious establishment. Every scene reminds me that, just like today, people were living under the weight of systems they couldn’t fully see or understand.

Just like in Jesus' time, where religion and government shaped how people saw their world, we are still surrounded by forces trying to define our reality. The systems are different now—media, politics, and societal pressures—but their impact remains the same. As we head into another election year, the noise only gets louder, with every candidate and every ad vying for our attention, attempting to shape our beliefs and guide our actions. Our perception of reality often depends on the narrative these forces feed us, just as it did 2,000 years ago. We’re bombarded by messages that tell us who to trust, what to fear, and how to vote. And like those who followed Jesus 2,000 years ago, we struggle to see through the surface.

Watching The Chosen has reminded me of one of the core truths of Jesus’ ministry. He knew that perception is reality. Not in some vague or abstract way—Jesus understood that the way we perceive the world literally defines our experience of it. The people around Him were trapped in the world’s perception, shaped by religion and government. But Jesus spent His entire ministry trying to wake them up to a deeper reality—the Kingdom of God.

In His Kingdom, there is peace, unity, and the fruit of the Spirit. It’s the conscious self, the divine voice within us that speaks of truth, love, and connection. And this same message is for us today, especially during this election season. Jesus invites us to step out of the world’s illusion—whether it’s political division, media manipulation, or fear—and into the true reality of God’s Kingdom.

The question is, which reality are we living in?

In this post, we’re going to explore how Jesus’ teachings reveal the gap between these two realities: the world’s perception and the Kingdom of God. We’ll look at how He challenged the dominant systems of His time and how He’s calling us today to shift our perception, especially in the midst of political chaos. Finally, we’ll talk about how we can actively align ourselves with the Kingdom of God and begin to see with spiritual eyes, even during election season.

In Jesus’ time, the perception of reality for most people was dominated by two powerful systems: the Roman government and the Jewish religious authorities. For the common person, these forces dictated what was true and how they should live. The Romans ruled with fear and power, keeping the people oppressed and reminding them who held control. Meanwhile, the religious leaders—the Pharisees and Sadducees—added another layer of control through rigid rules and traditions. For many, their perception of reality was one of subjugation, guilt, and a constant need to adhere to the strict expectations set by these authorities.

The perception created by these systems was one of scarcity, fear, and division. You were either in power or subject to it, either righteous or a sinner. But Jesus came to challenge these systems, calling people to see beyond them. He repeatedly rebuked the religious leaders for distorting God’s truth and using their authority to manipulate the people (Matthew 23:13-36). He also made it clear that political power, such as that wielded by the Romans, was not the ultimate reality (John 18:36).

"Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.'"

— John 18:36

This is where Jesus’ teaching—“Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's” (Matthew 22:21)—becomes so profound. When the Pharisees tried to trap Him by asking whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus didn’t deny the reality of the Roman system. He acknowledged that Caesar had earthly power, symbolized by the coin, and that there were responsibilities within that system. But by adding, “and to God what is God's,” Jesus made an important distinction: while we live in this world and may owe certain things to its systems, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His Kingdom.

In this single statement, Jesus showed us that while we must navigate the world's realities—like government, taxes, and political power—there is a deeper reality that transcends them. God’s Kingdom calls us to a higher perception, one that is not defined by fear, division, or earthly power.

Fast forward to today, and we see the same dynamics at play. The systems have changed, but their impact remains. Now, it’s the media, politics, and cultural pressures that shape our perception of reality. Especially during election season, we’re constantly being fed narratives designed to manipulate our emotions, shape our beliefs, and even direct our votes. Politicians and media outlets seek to control the story, using fear, division, and identity politics to sway our perception of truth.

The world’s perception—just like in Jesus’ time—often leads us into fear, distrust, and division. We’re told to fear the other side, to trust in earthly leaders for our security, and to see those who disagree with us as enemies. It’s a perception that can pull us away from the peace and unity that Jesus offers in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of God were not just about an abstract spiritual concept but about helping us see that we are both spirit and physical beings. His message was clear: the Kingdom of God is not something we simply wait for after we die; it is a present reality, one that is often hidden from the physical eyes but revealed to the spiritual heart. By teaching us about the Kingdom, Jesus was inviting us to shift our focus away from being consumed by the physical world and to start living with an awareness of the spiritual reality that exists alongside it.

"For we live by faith, not by sight."

— 2 Corinthians 5:7

In conversations I’ve had with friends from different backgrounds—skeptics, Catholics, Protestants, a Muslim friend in Egypt, and a Hindu friend from India—I’ve found that while people approach this question from different angles, the message is universal: there’s a spiritual dimension to our lives that we must wake up to, and the Kingdom of God is the path that guides us to see it.

I recently had a conversation with a skeptical friend who tends to focus on the physical realities of life—jobs, politics, everyday struggles. He once said, “I get that people need hope, but all this talk about the Kingdom of God sounds so abstract. How does that help anyone in the real world?”

I understood his concern. So, I said, “Think of it this way: we live in a world where everything—media, politics, even our jobs—is designed to keep us focused on the physical, to make us feel like we’re not enough, like we always have to be striving for something more. But Jesus taught that there’s a spiritual dimension to our lives that most people miss. His message about the Kingdom of God wasn’t about escaping the world—it was about helping us see that there’s more to life than the physical. When we start to see the spiritual reality, we realize we don’t have to be controlled by fear or anxiety. We can live with peace and love even in the midst of the physical challenges.”

My friend paused and said, “So it’s like a shift in perspective—seeing more than just what’s in front of you?”

Exactly. The Kingdom of God is about learning to live with an awareness of both the physical and the spiritual, but letting the spiritual guide us. It’s about realizing that while the physical world tries to dictate our lives, the real power lies in the spiritual reality that Jesus reveals.

A Catholic co-worker once said something that stuck with me: “When I go to Mass and receive the Eucharist, I feel like I’m experiencing the Kingdom of God. It’s a reminder that God’s presence is here, even though we can’t always see it physically. The sacraments open my eyes to that.”

For him, the sacraments were a way to experience the spiritual reality that exists alongside the physical world. I brought up Jesus’ words: “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), and we talked about how the sacraments are not just rituals but a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Through the Eucharist, Baptism, and the other sacraments, Catholics are constantly reminded that God’s Kingdom is here, not just in some future reality, but now—if we have eyes to see it.

My co-worker agreed, saying, “Yeah, we live in both worlds—the physical world that tries to pull us in all directions, and the spiritual world that’s constant and unchanging.” The sacraments help him focus on the spiritual, to realign his heart with God’s Kingdom even while navigating the challenges of the physical world.

Another friend once shared with me how personal his relationship with Christ is. “The Kingdom of God,” he said, “is all about how I’m transformed spiritually. It’s not just a future thing—it’s happening right now, in my heart. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace—that’s what helps me live beyond the physical struggles.”

For him, the Kingdom of God is something deeply internal, a spiritual transformation that changes how he sees the world. He told me that when he’s struggling with something in the physical world—whether it’s work stress, family issues, or political anxiety—he grounds himself in the spiritual reality of the Kingdom. That’s what helps him rise above the chaos and live with peace, even when things are difficult.

We talked about how Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom in parables—like the mustard seed—that grow in our hearts, unseen at first but transforming everything around them. The physical world may throw obstacles in our way, but the Kingdom is about seeing beyond that to the spiritual transformation that God is working in us.

A devote Muslim friend from Egypt once told me, “We believe everything is under God’s control—this world is a test, but the real reality is spiritual. When we trust God, we can find peace no matter what’s happening around us.”

His view of living under God’s sovereignty echoed Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God. I shared how Jesus' teachings in Christianity also call us to live with the awareness that God’s Kingdom transcends worldly power and that real peace comes from trusting in a greater spiritual reality—one that, for Christians, is expressed in God’s will.

He agreed, saying, “Exactly. Whether it’s politics or personal struggles, none of that can change the fact that our hearts are focused on God. We live in this world, but our hearts are set on the spiritual truth.”

This conversation helped me see that, in both our faiths, the physical world is not the ultimate reality. The spiritual dimension—God’s Kingdom—is what shapes how we navigate the challenges of life.

A new friend from India, who practices Hinduism, recently shared his thoughts on spirituality. He explained, “We believe that the Divine is in everything, that all things are connected. The physical world is full of distractions, but the more we focus on the spiritual reality, the more we live in peace.”

For him, the idea of the Kingdom of God resonated as a call to see beyond the physical world and into the spiritual unity of all things. “The physical world tries to divide us,” he said, “but when we focus on the Divine within and around us, we find harmony.”

This resonated with me, as Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of God similarly call for unity—breaking down divisions and fostering a life of peace and harmony with one another and with God. We both agreed that the physical world often blinds us to this deeper truth, but that spiritual awareness helps us live with compassion and peace, even in the face of physical challenges.

In all of these conversations—with my skeptic friend, my Catholic co-worker, my Protestant friend, my Muslim friend, and my new Hindu friend—I’ve realized that the struggle is the same: we’re all living between two realities. The world’s perception, shaped by the physical—media, politics, and societal pressures—pulls us in one direction. But the Kingdom of God reveals a deeper, spiritual reality that calls us to live differently.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

— 2 Corinthians 4:18

Jesus’ teachings invite us to open our eyes to the spiritual dimension, to realize that we are not just physical beings, but spiritual ones as well. The world’s systems may try to dominate our attention, but the Kingdom of God calls us to focus on what is unseen, to trust in the spiritual reality that guides us toward peace, love, and unity.

And while it may take time to change the physical world, our spiritual world can change in an instant. The Kingdom of God is “near,” meaning it’s within your grasp, right here, right now. The moment we choose to believe and shift our perception, everything changes. When we let go of the fear and anxiety that the physical world brings and embrace the spiritual truth of God’s Kingdom, we immediately step into a new reality.

The change happens the moment we believe. As soon as we align our hearts with the Kingdom of God, our entire spiritual world shifts. We start to see life differently, with more peace, more love, more patience. Jesus wasn’t telling people to wait for some far-off event—He was inviting them to grasp the Kingdom in the present moment. It’s not something we have to wait for. It’s available to us now, the instant we shift our belief and live with faith in the spiritual reality of God’s presence.

Whether it’s through a mindset shift, the sacraments, personal transformation, or living under God’s sovereignty, the question is: Which reality are we going to focus on? The physical world’s perception, which keeps us anxious and striving, or the spiritual truth of God’s Kingdom, which is within our reach and can transform our lives right now?

In all of these conversations—with my skeptic friend, my Catholic co-worker, my Protestant friend, my Muslim friend, and my new Hindu friend—I’ve realized that the struggle is the same: we’re all living between two competing realities. The world’s perception, shaped by the physical—media, politics, and societal pressures—pulls us in one direction. And during election season, these pressures are amplified. We’re bombarded with political ads, heated debates, and news stories that fuel division, fear, and distrust. Each political message is designed to shape our perception of reality, telling us who to trust, what to fear, and how to think.

But Jesus’ teachings challenge us to look beyond these temporary, man-made narratives. While politicians and media outlets try to control the story, the Kingdom of God calls us to a higher reality—one rooted in peace, love, and unity. In this spiritual reality, we are not swayed by the world’s fear or division. Instead, we live from the assurance that God’s Kingdom transcends political and social power struggles. By choosing to align with the Kingdom of God, we can see beyond the noise of election season and focus on what truly matters: living in peace, extending love, and building unity in our relationships and communities.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

— Romans 12:2

Now that we’ve explored the tension between the physical and spiritual worlds, the question remains: how do we practically shift our perception to live in alignment with the Kingdom of God? In the next post, we’ll dive into practical steps to help you live from this spiritual reality every day.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! How do you see the tension between the world’s systems and the Kingdom of God in your own life? Feel free to share your reflections in the comments, and if you found this helpful, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from this conversation.