#22. This place of selecting a value system, of selecting a “mind-set” is the human “heart.”
TEXT:
Chapter 6, Page 56 –
We receive and process sensory inputs of all kinds. As humans with past experiences we perceive these inputs through our interpretation screens, including, specifically, our cultural norms and taboos, our language and communication skills, our core family, our temperament, our vocation (and its accompanying culture), our generational cohort, our economic situation (have vs. have-not, extravagant vs. penurious, generous vs. miserly), our lifestyle choices and assumptions. This is the way we “see” the world, our worldview. Therefore we each perceive these inputs differently, which is why witnessing and evangelism must be contextualized. But in each of us these inputs and their perception and interpretation will reach our central core – the place where the choice is made as to what theses inputs mean, what decisions we should make with regard to them, and how we should act in response to them.
We make these choices by comparing these inputs to a set of values that we hold as humans. We value one motive over another; we hold one object as of more worth than another; we consider one idea to be more beneficial than another; we judge one action to be more productive than another.
We use this currently held set of values to make “value” judgments about the sensory inputs that we interpreted through our worldview screens. From these value judgments we make our decisions – as to why, what, and how we will function. From these decisions we take a course of action. Based on the results of these actions, we modify the reception of our next set of inputs. That is, based on the previous pattern of response and its result, we modify the perceiving screens – our worldview – that we use to interpret the next set of inputs that we receive.
As you can see in the diagram, which set of values you choose to use will make the difference as to what thoughts, ideas, decisions, emotions and actions will come from your heart. “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18; Luke 6:45. For an incredibly interesting study, look up the phrase “out of the heart” in a Bible search program. Especially note in Deuteronomy (8:14; 9:3-4; 13:3), in the story of David (2 Samuel 13:39; 1 Kings 2:4), and in the story of Josiah (2 King 23:3 and onward), and others).
This place of selecting a value system, of selecting a “mind-set” is the human “heart.”
