Kybernetics

2. Kybernetics^©

The word Kybernetic^© is taken from the Greek word kubernesis used in 1 Cor. 12:28 and translated “administrations” in the NKJV. It is an endowment and an appointed aspect of ministry. The word carries the idea of the ability to lead and is originally used of the helmsman of a ship and by extension the captain who gives the directions to the helmsman. Hence the idea of the word involves the concept of being able to know and see what to do to guide the progress of a venture or life. As a result the word Kybernetic^© has been developed to mean; “the art and science of guidance.” It is a science as it involves defined principles and personal experience; however, it is an art because it involves the person creatively applying those principles and experience in developing guidance. The Lifesource Kybernetic^© Principles equip a person to develop a mindset that will position them to know the ‘mind of Christ’ so that they can lead and set the directions for change and shape their world for good.

Understanding God’s Will

Knowing The Will of God and Doing It

Moving in the Direction of Positive Change People often spend a lot of time looking for the will of God in their lives. A lot of time and money is spent seeking guidance to help find the right thing to do. However, in Romans 12:2 is outlined a way to know the will of God in every situation and in the process become a transformed person. The Scripture declares in Prov. 3:5-6 that a person should trust completely the ways of God and not rely on their own perception of situations. Also in all they do they should seek to do what honours the perception they have of Him. When these things are done God Himself will direct their way in life; He shall make sure that as they move into the future the paths they take end up fulfilling His vision for their life. In Ro. 12:2 the writer sets out how to achieve what the writer of Proverbs desired in such a way as to not only fulfill your destiny in an ultimate sense but to see and understand what God wants and why He wants it.

The apostle Paul in Ro. 12:1 gives the same exhortation as the writer of Proverbs; trust completely in God and surrender yourself totally to Him. He then issues a command; “…do not be conformed to this world (the word used is world as ‘era’ rather than physical entity)…” However, the force of the command is realized by consideration of the structure of the text. The verb translated conformed is a Present Imperative and so as a prohibition it would have the force and sense of ‘stop being conformed (or shaped) by the age (or era) in which you live.’ As the writer of Proverbs stated don’t rely on your own perception and don’t develop your values under the pressure of the society in which you live.

The apostle Paul then states “…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” This also again involves a Present Imperative and as such is a positive alternative action to the one you should stop doing. What will take place is an inward transformation or change that will result in the person becoming a revolutionized person, not just an outwardly different one. This will be achieved by the ‘renewing’ of the mind. That is by changing you mindset, or perception of the world, which is achieved by looking at the world through God’s eyes. This is involves not leaning on your own understanding but rather developing your understanding through the application of Scripture to your life and values. This will lead to an internal revolution that places you in the position of having sound judgment.

Paul states that as a result of this “…you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The word translated ‘prove’ is as word that means to discern, interpret or discover. Consequently, by adopting the exhorted approach to life a person will come to a place being able to perceive and understand the will of God for their lives. Hence, they will be able to choose pathways consistent with the ultimate vision for their life. They will become truly successful in the best and fullest senses of the word.

Positive Visioning

“Positive Visioning” not just “Positive Thinking”

Positive Thinking changes your mind but Positive Visioning changes your world A dream is an expression of the desire for something other than what exists; often the desire for a better future and life. A vision is a description of how a person will go about achieving that dream. It includes a purposeful plan to bring into reality that which began as a dream. Therefore, it is our understanding of what God will do through us. However, in what He does through the life of a person God also has a vision of what He wants to do in a life. The simplest and clearest statement of the divine will in us is found in Ro. 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”“…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God’s vision for every person is to be transformed into the likeness of His Son Jesus. In all that God does through us that is His purpose in us.

God is at work in every circumstance. Consequently, what those circumstances are is not as important as our attitude toward those circumstances. As it is declared in vs.28   In Scripture Hebrew’s chp.11 is a passage that demonstrates the idea of vision. The opening statement of the chapter declares that “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the substance of vision, the evidence the dream will come to pass. Then in v.2 the author states that by this method “the elders” have a record or history that demonstrates the working of this principle. This phrase “the elders” refers to those who had gone before and whose stories are recorded in the Old Testament since the remainder of the chapter from v.4 is a list of the exploits and achievements of these people.

In Heb. 11:3 the writer declares that; “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” The phrase translated “the worlds” generally refers to and is translated as the ages and era’s of humanity rather than the idea of the physical inhabited world. The author of Hebrew’s uses the word kosmos, the usual word translated world, when speaking of the world as a physical entity. Therefore, the writer of Hebrew’s by using this phrase ‘the ages’ directs attention more to the era’s in which we live; our circumstances and history. However, in v.4 the first of these “elders” mentioned is Abel and in the Genesis account the event preceding the story of Abel is the story of the creation of the world. Therefore, the writer of Hebrew’s is drawing a direct parallel to the creation but his reference is to the “eras” that follow the creation. Hence the writer is informing the reader that from the beginning the future of humanity was created by the “word of God” and unfolded from that point; so that “…the things which are seen (the eras in which we live) were not made of things which are visible (our own efforts or circumstances).”

In the account of the creation in Genesis chp.1 the formula for the act of creating is, God spoke His word and the substance or “stuff” of the physical world came into order around that word. That is to say God spoke and it came to pass as He had said, and continues to do so to the present day. Therefore, the way to re-order reality so that there is real change from the present state is to speak the word of God into the situation and watch circumstances re-order themselves around that spoken word. This is also the thrust of 2 Cor. 13-18. The Spirit of faith operates on the principle that what is believed is declared; hence faith gives substance to things hoped for. The apostle Paul states that circumstances will work for us and therefore we will not become discouraged “…while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seem. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18. Positive visioning is to look into the realm of God and see things His way then declare His word and watch circumstances re-order themselves around that word. If we keep our eyes on the positive vision and not the negative circumstances we will live above circumstances in the realm of faith from where circumstances are changed. Hence, the apostle Paul will go onto to declare in following up this great concept; “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7.

Understanding True Success

1. Defining Success

What is true success? What is it that a person should set their lives to pursue and seek after? The answers to these questions determine the really valuable of life. The Pyramids, the tombs of the Pharaoh’s, provide ample testimony to the truth declared by the Apostle Paul in 1Timothy 6:7; “…we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” They were buried with their worldly goods and possessions for the trip to the ‘after-life’ to make it comfortable and well provided for. However, when the tombs were eventually opened everything put in the tombs was still there long after the Pharaoh’s had passed into their ‘after-life’. The Psalmist declared, speaking of both the rich and poor, that “…wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth for others.” (Ps.49:10) He goes on to say, exposing the thinking of people who would emulate people like the Pharaoh’s; “Their inner thought is that their houses will continue forever, And their dwelling places to all generations;…Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory (the word ‘glory’ refers here to the persons weightiness, hence worth, in possessions) shall not descend after him.” (vs. 11 & 16-17).

The wealth we accumulate and the things we possess are transient and do not constitute the really valuable of this life and therefore cannot be the measure of success. The Psalmist admits that people will praise you for your successes. However, he also warns against thinking your successes are purely your own accomplishment. In becoming successful it should be recognized that it is God who endows people with gifts and abilities to become successful. The Psalmist declares; “Though while he (the rich and successful person) lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself)…Man who is in honor, yet does not understand (how God’s world works), Is like the beasts that perish.” Ps.49:18 & 20.

I remember my father, who was involved in the entertainment industry for most of his working life dealing with famous people, saying to me that the worst mistake an artist in the entertainment industry can make is to believe their own publicity. It is the beginning of their fall from grace. In speaking to the boastful, those who revel and glory in their own success, and the wicked, who think they have been successful in obtaining greatness purely by self effort, the Scripture declares; “…exaltation comes neither from east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Ps.75:6-7. No one has made what they have from nothing; they have used what has been provided for them. No one has obtained influence and power purely through their own brilliance and might; they have been able to take advantage of opportunities and circumstances that existed. Everyone owes their existence to forces outside themselves; no-one has come into existence through an act of their own will.

As a result the gifts and abilities each person has are a result of a divine input; they are not a result of a persons own ingenuity. It is the use and development of gifts and abilities that are the province of a persons’ own ingenuity. Not only is existence a divine gift, so is also the world in which a person lives and works. Consequently, whatever success a person may have in life has been achieved by using what has been provided, whether in material possessions or status and power.

Therefore, success cannot be measured by acquisitions, whether by wealth or power over the lives of others. Jesus noted that; “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Lk12:15. The apostle Paul gave directions on how those who had wealth in this life were to handle their attitude to that wealth. He said; “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 1Tim6:17. The exhortation is to trust in the God who gave the riches not in the riches themselves. When this attitude is taken a person is freed to enjoy the things they have. Paul goes on to show that the emphasis is on using wealth to help others; “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1Tim6:18-19.   Jesus declared, recorded in Matthew 16:26, “…what is a man (or woman) profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Wealth, possessions and success can all be empty and futile as a core of existence and reason for living. The verse preceding the one quoted states; “…whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” This highlights that the primary problem is the concept of living for self. Relationships based on valuing and seeking the best for the others are what lead to the really valuable in this life, but also with promise for the life to come. The real issue for God is not whether we do or do not have riches, nor is it our successes or failures. These are just the circumstances in which we live. The real issue is how we respond to circumstances and consequently live out this life. When we do this we are truly successful and achieve the really valuable that cannot be lost.

The fruit of the Spirit, which belongs to the soul or inner-person, which is the aspect of life we don’t want to lose, is described in Galatians as “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Gal.5:22-23. The values and character traits listed can only be outworked in relationships with other people, none of the aspects involve the riches and successes we may or may not achieve. In fact rich and poor, successful and unsuccessful (by this world’s way of valuing people), can achieve the fruit of the Spirit, i.e. all can be successful from God’s perspective. Any person through fulfilling relationships can achieve the really valuable and without this all else is worthless in the final reckoning of a life.