Named for its two creators, the Johari Window (named after Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham) presents the four “window panes” of our concept of self: (1) what we and others see; (2) what we see but others do not; (3) what others see but remains unseen to us; (4) what neither we nor others can see.
Although developed from a secular perspective, the idea is practical and applicable, with the significant exception that while there are parts of ourselves that are unknown to us and others, every part of who we are is known by God (1 Corinthians 13:12).
In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, part of the lesson rests in the connection between their story and the events mentioned in the latter part of Acts 4:1-37. We all sin; to believe otherwise is a form of deception in and of itself (1 John 1:10). But in our fallen nature there is also the desire to hide (Genesis 3:8-10). We see from Ananias and Sapphira that much of our struggle with deception has to do with our creating an appearance for others.
Salvation doesn’t come from others’ opinions; it comes only as we stand stripped of our pretense before the cross and confess our desperate need for God’s grace. We can look the part, but the reality of who we are becomes apparent when no one is looking. No one, that is, but God.
Though He already knows all we’ve said, done, and will do, we must first be transparent with Him because doing so is a recognition of His sovereignty. Next, we will be unable to be real with others unless we stop trying to convince ourselves we’re something that we’re not.
Finally, true transparency with God will transfer to our transparency before others. Then, and only then, will we be the real deal.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 3:1-21
More:
Read Romans 8:31-35 and Galatians 1:10 to see how our ability to be real with others reveals our level of trust in Jesus.
Next:
Why is it so important that believers be transparent in their lives? How does the enemy use past hurts to keep us hiding from others?
winn collier on March 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm
It seems like we eschew transparency, even with God, because we don’t want to be seen – when God sees us anyway. Thanks for the reminder to all God’s knowledge of us to move us toward freedom and openness.
regina franklin on March 24, 2012 at 11:11 pm
There’s something about being real with others that requires us to be real with ourselves. It is in those places that we have a decision to make: continue with business as usual or seek to be transformed.
winn collier on April 1, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I like this, Reginia. I like that maintaining the status quo is actually a decision – we often think of it as indecision. But it’s a choice, just not a good one.