WYSIWYG: Biblical Truth and the Power of Perception

While commonly associated with computer interfaces, the concept of "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) carries profound spiritual implications when applied to biblical narratives.

Apr 10, 2025

I apologize for how I messed this article up earlier today. No excuse. I suppose I was tired, cancer meds, or just lazy but this is the corrected article.

"What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) is now used in many applications. When ordering corals or fish for my saltwater aquarium, sellers will give a picture labeled WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.

Have you considered how true that is in regular life? What you see or focus on affects everything. Do you see your past, your problems, or your Shepherd?

Do you look at abuse, accusations, attacks, or your Shepherd? Are you hung up in the past so much that you can't enjoy the present because you do not focus on the Shepherd?

If I am learning anything from meditating on Psalm 23, it is that David saw the Shepherd in the darkest moment of his life, not the situation. David looked up, focused on God, and was lifted from one reality to another.

David meditated on truth in the middle of the battle until he was brought to a banquet table in the presence of his Shepherd.

So remember, what you see is what you get, so change what you are looking at. Adjust your focus. Decide to shut up the voices screaming in your heart and look at the truth of your Shepherd that is all around you. You can be lifted from your present reality to another in the presence of your God at a banquet table, with a cup running over with blessings, goodness, and mercy chasing you down no matter where you are.

Throughout scripture, we find a consistent pattern: those who fixed their gaze upon God's greatness experienced His power, while those who focused on obstacles faced defeat.

Seeing God's Power: Stories of Victory

David and Goliath

When the Israelite army saw Goliath, they saw defeat. King Saul and his soldiers cowered in fear, fixated on the giant's weapons and threats. Their perception defined their reality—seeing only the problem paralyzed them.

David, however, saw something entirely different. As he stood before Goliath, he saw God, I AM. 1 Samuel 17:45 David saw God's power as greater than any physical threat. His perception shaped his reality–seeing God's supremacy, he acted boldly and prevailed.

The Twelve Spies

When Moses sent twelve spies to explore Canaan, they witnessed the same land. Yet their reports diverged dramatically based on what they chose to focus on. The fortified cities and the physical strength of the inhabitants overwhelmed ten spies. Numbers 13:31-33.

However, Joshua and Caleb focused on God's promise rather than the obstacles. They saw the LORD, I AM, and His power. Numbers 14:8 The ten who saw only obstacles led an entire generation to wander in the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb eventually entered the Promised Land; what they saw determined what they got.

Daniel in the Lions' Den

When they threw Daniel into the lions' den, he could have focused on the hungry lions surrounding him. Instead, he focused on God's faithfulness.

Seeing Circumstances: Stories of Defeat

King Saul and the Israelite Army

For forty days, Goliath challenged the Israelites, and the Israelite army believed Goliath instead of God. They accepted the lie and lived in fear. 1 Samuel 17:24. Their focus on the giant's strength became their downfall. Saul, though anointed king, focused on his inadequacy instead of God's power, resulting in defeat before the battle started.

The Ten Spies' Bad Report

The ten spies who gave a negative report about Canaan saw the land through eyes of fear rather than faith. They saw themselves as grasshoppers Numbers 13:33. Their perception of themselves became their reality, and they never experienced the promise God had prepared.

Psalm 23: The Ultimate Perspective

Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates this principle of spiritual perception. When David sees the Shepherd, he focuses on God's provision rather than life's challenges. Even in his darkest moments, David knew his Shepherd was with him.

This psalm reveals David's perspective during one of his darkest moments – fleeing from his son Absalom, who sought to kill him. Instead of focusing on the betrayal, the army pursuing him, or the uncertain future, David chose to see God's shepherding presence. He perceived green pastures and still waters even while navigating treacherous terrain, and what he decided to see shaped what he experienced.

The WYSIWYG Principle for Today

The principle is true for believers today: our spiritual perception often determines our spiritual reality. When we focus on problems, they usually grow larger in our experience. We position ourselves to experience God's power when we focus on our Father, the Shepherd, I AM.

Like David before Goliath, the Hebrew spies who believed, or Daniel in the lions' den, we face a choice in every challenge: Will we see only the obstacles, or will we see the God who stands ready to overcome them?

What you see is what you get. Choose to see God's greatness and position yourself to experience His power."What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) is now used in many applications. When ordering corals or fish for my saltwater aquarium, sellers will give a picture labeled WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get.