Learning to See as Christ Sees

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series February 2026 - Bias and Blind Spots

February 2026 - Bias and Blind Spots

Much of the Christian life can be described as a journey of learning to see differently.

We begin by seeing the world largely through our own needs, fears, habits, and assumptions. Over time — often slowly and unevenly — Christ invites us into a transformed vision. Not simply new beliefs, but a new way of perceiving people, situations, and ourselves.

This transformation is not automatic. It requires attention, humility, and patience. And it is frequently uncomfortable.

Seeing and Not Seeing

The Gospels are filled with stories of sight and blindness. Jesus heals those who are physically blind, but he also confronts a deeper blindness — the inability to recognise what God is doing.

In one striking encounter, Jesus tells the Pharisees:

Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

John 9:41 (ESV)

The issue is not ignorance. It is certainty.

Those most resistant to transformation are often those convinced that they already see clearly. This is a sobering truth, especially for those of us accustomed to analysis, reasoning, and confidence in our judgments.

Learning to see as Christ sees begins with acknowledging that our vision is partial.

Compassion Before Categorisation

Jesus consistently sees people before categories.

Where others see sinners, outcasts, or inconveniences, Jesus sees individuals — people with stories, wounds, and dignity. He refuses to reduce anyone to their worst moment or their most visible label.

This way of seeing disrupts social norms. It unsettles those who benefit from clear boundaries between “us” and “them”.

Compassion, in this sense, is not sentimentality. It is a disciplined refusal to dehumanise.

To see as Christ sees is to resist easy categorisation. It is to allow proximity to change perception. It is to listen long enough for complexity to emerge.

Seeing Beyond Behaviour

One of the most challenging aspects of Christ’s vision is his ability to look beyond behaviour to the deeper realities shaping it.

He does not ignore wrongdoing. But he understands that behaviour often flows from pain, fear, or exclusion. His responses are shaped by discernment rather than reflex.

This does not mean excusing harm. It means addressing it truthfully and redemptively.

For many of us, especially in professional contexts, it is easier to evaluate actions than to attend to underlying causes. Efficiency rewards quick judgment. But faithfulness invites deeper seeing.

Healing Our Vision

Learning to see as Christ sees requires healing.

Our vision is shaped by experience — by what we have been taught, what we have suffered, and what we have learned to protect ourselves from. These influences do not disappear simply because we desire compassion.

Jesus’ healings often involve process. Sight is restored gradually. Understanding unfolds over time.

Spiritual vision develops the same way.

We notice our reactions.We question our assumptions.We allow ourselves to be corrected.

This is slow, often frustrating work. But it is transformative.

Seeing Ourselves Truthfully

Christ’s vision is not only outward-facing. It also turns inward.

To see as Christ sees is to see ourselves truthfully — neither inflated nor diminished. It is to recognise our gifts without denying our limitations. To acknowledge our blind spots without despair.

This balanced self-vision frees us from defensiveness. When our identity is secure in God’s love, we no longer need to protect our image at all costs.

This freedom allows us to learn, change, and grow.

Practising Christlike Vision

Learning to see as Christ sees is not a one-time insight. It is a daily practice.

It looks like:

pausing before reacting,
listening before judging,
asking whose voice is missing,
allowing compassion to interrupt certainty.

These practices may feel inefficient. They may slow us down. But they align us with a way of seeing that brings life.

A Way of Seeing for This Month

As this month draws towards its end, bias and blind spots may feel more visible than when we began. This is not failure. It is progress.

To notice bias is already to see more clearly.

Christ does not demand perfect vision. He invites willingness. He meets us in partial sight and leads us patiently forward.

Learning to see as Christ sees is not about acquiring a superior perspective. It is about allowing love to reshape our vision.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
you see us fully and love us deeply.
Heal our vision where it is distorted by fear, habit, or pride.
Teach us to see others with compassion,
to listen with humility,
and to recognise your presence where we least expect it.
As we learn to see more clearly,
shape our lives to reflect your love.
Amen.