The Ballestero Blog

Change Blindness

Wikipedia notes that William James (1842-1910) is the first person known to mention the lack of ability to detect change. He noted this in his book written in 1890, Principles of Psychology.

Researcher John Grimes began to use actual photographs in 1996 in his change blindness studies.

“A study by Rensink, O’Regan, & Clarke demonstrated that change blindness can have an effect even if the eye was fixated on a scene. In this study, a picture was presented followed by a blank screen or “masking” stimulus, which was followed by the initial picture with a change. The masking stimulus almost acts like a saccadic movement of the eye which makes it significantly more difficult for individuals to detect the change. This was a critical contribution to change blindness research because it demonstrated that a change can remain unnoticed with the smallest disruptions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_blindness

Magicians and illusionists are keenly aware of this human weakness and they capitalize on that fact. Satan, the greatest con-artist of all time, does as well.

Old men are known to fuss about change. Young men are known to laugh at the old men. I understand that. I too have been young, and now I am old.

There have been way too many who have refused to see or admit change in our churches today.

While some cannot see the change in what is ‘accepted’ and ‘permissible’ in Apostolic circles… a great many of us can.

If you are a Senior citizen that has been in church all your life, then you should know about:

Change that brings carnality to the forefront

Change that substituted rhythm, for worship

Change that is comfortable with programs instead of a move of the Holy Ghost

Change in what is now considered modest or holy

Change that wears form-fitting clothes

Change to the current acceptance of Hollywood

Change in attitude about faithful church attendance

Change in respect for the ministry

Change to not preaching against sin

Change in sermon content, from doctrine to pop psychology

Change in sermon content from including discipleship to outreach only

Change in attitudes about submission to the Word or to the man of God

Change to acceptance of organized sports

Change that is uncomfortable with services longer than an hour

Change to believing a prophet is only to prophesy blesses, healing and prosperity

Change that mocks the holiness minded

Change that loves jewelry and makeup

Change that doesn’t feel a need to pray all the way through

Change that is happy with change

My critics might suggest that I think that I am the only one that can see change. That’s not true. It’s just that I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by saying that I see what I see. I truly believe there are some precious people who are not purposely trying to change the good to the bad. They are not maliciously trying to put light for dark. I am submitting that even good people just have a case of Change Blindness.

Change Blindness is alive and well in Pentecostal churches today. That truly scares me when I think about what the future could hold if Jesus tarries.

Remember the Homeland Security Slogan… If you see something, say something. I just did.