Art - Heart in process of change

The Role of the Heart in the Process of Change

THE HEART

Although man consists of body, soul and spirit, it is the heart behind or within these that truly determines his ways:

The heart as the Hebrew word ‘leb’ or as the Greek word ‘kardia’ occurs nine hundred thirty five (935) times in the Word of God. Surely then it should enjoy high priority in the whole psyche of man. The word ‘leb’ is often also translated as mind or will. It is drawn from the root ‘lebab’ meaning: ‘the most interior organ’ and also from ‘labab’ meaning: to be enclosed (Strong, J.; Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

Within the core of humanity is ‘the hidden man of the heart’! (1 Pet 3:4) The heart is the centre of man’s identity. Man will not know himself unless he can live from the very centre of his being. ‘For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.’ (Proverbs 20:5) There can be no wholeness, no complete restoration from pain and hurt unless the broken heart is made whole.

The  purpose of redemption was to bring restoration of the broken heart. Trauma wounds the heart, and shatters the very centre of man’s identity. Humanity however is called to respond to God’s love by loving Him with the whole heart (Math 22: 37) ‘love the Lord thy God with all your heart,…’ Out of the wholeness of the heart wisdom, judgment, purpose and love bubbles forth. Wisdom due to the open flow of the Spirit of Wisdom, insight and understanding directs the action of the will, emotions, thoughts and finally reaction to circumstances. God longs for man to live with a heart filled with wisdom of heart and ability (Ex 35: 35).

In the Book of Exodus, it is stated that God filled His people with the Spirit of God, with ability and wisdom, with intelligence and understanding, and with knowledge and all craftsmanship. (verse 31) Also in the following Chapter it states: “…whose heart the Lord had put wisdom”.

The physical make-up of a human heart may also confirm the spiritual purpose of this vital organ of man. The heart pumps an average of 100 000 times per day and supplies more or less 7000 liters of blood to the rest of the physical body. (Gitt, W.) This small organ weighing a mere 300 g, sustains the whole human body. Life as oxygen is pumped to all areas of the body. The heart purifies the inflowing blood and restores the required level of oxygen in the out-flowing blood vital for the cells of the body. Without this supply the body will die within minutes. This process reveals the spiritual role of sifting and cleansing that occurs within the inner core of man. Life or death, truth or lie, right or wrong, is all filtered through the operations within the heart of man.

The power of choice  is contained and applied in the intricate surrounding of the heart.  Judgment and discernment are placed upon the heart of man  as a breastplate the same way it was physically placed upon the heart of the High Priest. Through this he was protected to walk in sync with God’s prerequisites. To discern the seasons and the time, to recognize the traps of the enemy of man, ensures a safe walk and sure destiny. The Book of Ecclesiastes states that a man’s heart discerns both when and what to do. (Eccl 8: 5) Counsel in the heart of man is according to Solomon like water in a deep well. (Prov 20: 50) The writer of Ecclesiastes entered into counsel with his own heart and states that his heart has great experience of moral wisdom and scientific knowledge. (Eccl 1: 16, 17) Therefore it is essential that man should seek the Lord with his whole heart, allowing His wisdom to flow constantly and to pursue a pure heart. (Prov 22 : 11) In this safe environment he can live from the very core of his being, his true self.

What is the aim of Therapy:

The focus in therapy, in the aim of restoring man from the pain and damage from trauma is to pursue  the restoration of the heart to wholeness. John explains that if the heart does not bring accusation, man can come before God with boldness. A  whole heart  is able to receive counsel and wisdom, his heart can ‘draw out the counsel’ from his wise friend. (Prov 20: 5) Man needs to apply his heart to instruction and correction. (Prov 23: 12) The Word sown as the seed must be treasured in the heart otherwise the enemy may snatch the Truth from his heart. A broken heart cannot defend off evil deceit and false counsel. It is not protected against the manipulations of the selfish and the abusive. A broken and wounded heart is unable to receive counsel in wisdom. Such a man hardens his heart to the touch of pure love.

Trust, the key that unlocks the heart to receive and give, is thrown away in a desperate attempt to protect further wounding of the heart in an abusive relationship. A shattered heart cannot direct the will, emotions or thought patterns. These vital shareholders in humanity wander around in a senseless attempt to survive. To live from a defiled, hardened heart, soon becomes the cradle for bitterness, anger, resentment and having a double mind. (James 4: 8) Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks and brings forth either his inner good treasure or evil form his evil storehouse. (Matt 12: 34 – 35) As the old French proverb states: ‘There is no secret in the heart that is not revealed through action and deed’ (Gitt, W.).  Whatever governs man (controls), owns his heart. Whatever owns man’s heart (through devotion or worship), governs man.

Jesus stated:” It is not that which enters the mouth that defiles man because it does not reach his heart, but only his digestive system. It is that which comes forth from the depths of the heart that has potential to defile man.” (Mark 7: 19 – 21) Man and his wounded heart are hopeless without the supernatural touch of the Creator of the heart. BUT: ’God is greater than our hearts.’ (I John3: 20) ‘The Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (Hebrews 4: 12)

The heart is the most inner core and demands the deepest penetration of God’s ‘rhema’ (spoken) Word. The heart reveals the treasures of man’s being. God sees the inner secrets of our hearts.

The Process of Change

Permanent change calls for an  inner conviction. Unless a truth has a settled place in the heart, man will not change in his identity. Many decisions have been made, but never settled in the heart. These superficial decisions will never cause permanent change. There is a process of grasping a concept to the extent of a conviction. In Matt 13: 15, Jesus states that growth and change only comes through a specific process:

  1. See and perceive  – with the eyes
  2.  Hear and recognise  – with the ears
  3. Grasp and understand  – with the heart …and turn. This process calls for the fresh information to be allowed entrance through various levels of scanning, outside and the inside of humanity.
  1. To  perceive  is to stare intently, it demands focused, undivided attention. To perceive is to allow entrance to what the eyes see and connect the urgent message that amplified energy should be spent in the processing of this information. The importance of this amplified energy level for new revelations/ truth to settle permanently will be explained later.
  2.  To  recognise  encapsulates the process of allowing the new information to be moulded over and over, seeking for a place of acceptance in the mind and eventually the heart. Meditation on the Word of God and the critical evaluation of how to implement the Truth is an essential part in the process of change.
  3.  There cannot be change until the process is completed and the perception is  recognised and at last understood. This process of grasping a concept, to the ranking of allowing it to settle in the heart of man brings forth inner conviction. Unless the heart of man enjoys this truth as absolute, change of character cannot come. The body then manifests the reality of the conviction by obeying and acting in sync with the new understanding (the people turned from their ways after understanding came in their hearts, Matt 13: 15).

Rene Descartes, 1637, stated: ‘Intuition is the undoubting conception of a pure and attentive mind, which arises from the light of reason alone and is more certain than deduction’.

It is however the conviction within the heart of man that births forth intuition and change.

Filters and Perceptions

‘Whatever impresses you attracts you. Whatever you pursue becomes your purpose.’ – Tommy Tenney

Motivation  seems to be the catalyst for change. The higher man’s motivation to accept the new concept and change, the more likely conviction will soon settle and surrender of the rest of humanity will follow. Motivation is stirred as exposure and expectation increase. The more often man is reminded of where he might be or what he should be like the more motivation is activated in his psyche to change accordingly.

MAN: vision, dream, expectation versus MAN: Current state of man =FRUSTRATION: The level of Frustration is determined by the distance between the two.

Frustration  can either cause despondency and feelings of hopelessness or motivation. In any decision-making process the intensity of man’s motivation will determine the level of information processing:

Spiritual Maturity  or  Wholeness of heart encapsulates:

  • Restoration of the heart of man to purity
  • Restoration of the mind in thought and emotion to purity
  • Restoration of the spirit, the ability to seek fellowship with the Creator and to enjoy hearing His voice.
  • Restoration of relationships and communication in obedience to purity of heart
  • Restoration of the body in health and submission to the heart

The heart thus seems to be seated in the Chairman’s seat of humanity’s Company. The spirit and soul with the mind, will, thoughts and body will advise the heart concerning what needs to be the conviction, but it is the heart that makes the final decision.

Filters and Perceptions

Circumstances from the time of conception challenge humanity to integrate data in a manner most fitting for survival. During those first stages in life nothing else is more important than simply making it in this world.  Man will integrate every little detail of his young life and place it in various categories for future reference. Associations are even then made with new experiences and he gains ability to link certain incoming, sensory data with already existing information. Experiences too painful or somehow perceived as traumatic are thus integrated in the developing areas of the mind. This forms the foundation for following data and is therefore crucial to be link-able with associated data. It is almost like the formation of a certain type of mental ‘glue’ ready to welcome data attach-able to that specific glue.

Suppose Tom (as example) was not planned and welcome and thus born into a world of hostility and abandonment.  During the crucial stages of his development,  Tom received verbal and non-verbal messages of rejection and disrespect. He was abused because  his most basic needs were not met: Needs to be unconditionally accepted, nurtured, to feel secure and safe (emotionally as well as physically), etc. As an outflow fear will develop strong bonds in relating with other. He will not be aware that the world can also be warm and welcoming. By the time Tom turns ten years old, he might have come across a few friendly faces at school, but would not have the capacity to respond and enjoy the rare moments of love and acceptance. It would be weird and incompatible to the then familiar messages of animosity and rejection. The experiences of his past will impact Tom in his overall viewpoint of others and himself.

The constant bombardment of similar destructive sensory data has by then stimulated the neuron receptors and ensured a multitude of receptors for those types of messages to be present. This aspect of cognition manifests clearly in the intriguing vastness of the physical brain. Brain development has an amazing role to play in dealing with the type of stimulation a baby receives from the surroundings. Man is born with 100 billion neurons. However, these neurons are not connected and are eagerly awaiting stimulation to grow and connect – to form pathways that will eventually become familiar and speed up the responses to certain triggers from the surroundings. Messages or information get transferred from one nerve cell to the next via electrical impulses. The impulse crosses the gap or synapse in the form of chemicals, referred to as neurotransmitters. Dendrites (connecting structures (arms) on the neuron cell) have endings called terminals through which these messages are transferred. It is this type of branching that increases as stimulation increases, to develop an intricate network of connections. Thus, the more stimulation, the more connections!

One of the most fascinating aspects of the brain is its ability to receive or reject certain messages, to some extent determined by specific receptors at the terminals of the receiving neuron! This crucial choice will be due to, among other things, whether the ‘shape’ of the receptor can accommodate the ‘shape’ of the neurotransmitter. It can be compared to finding the right key for the right keyhole or lock. The neurotransmitter can therefore be seen as keys unlocking the potential and ability to grow! It seems that when certain receptors are in high demand, they will eventually either increase in concentration per receiving dendrites, or become highly sensitive to the ‘fitting’ neurotransmitter. This causes certain pathways easier to follow in the human mind.

Therefore: it becomes increasingly difficult to change habits, perceptions and thought patterns the more familiar man’s mind comes to certain pathways. This also seems to be confirmed in the study of genetic ‘hierarchy’ in the filtration of the incoming information constantly received from man’s senses. Approximately 100 million bits of data rush up the spinal cord each minute!

To prevent information overload, up to 99% of the data from the spinal cord is filtered out by a part of the brain called the reticular formation. Further filtration of information then occurs in the cerebellum within the genetic components of the nerve cells!

Genetic Filtration

The brain is not primarily an experience storing device that constantly changes its structure to accommodate new experiences or information from the evolutionary perspective. It is a dynamic computing device that is largely rule-driven, and goal orientated.“ – Gazzonia, 1998

All incoming sensory information is potentially important. It needs to be sorted and scanned to discern the hierarchy of emergency or applicability for the individual. Depending on the ranking received after scanning, the message will be forwarded to the next level of filtration. Receptors on the receiving neuron activate or inactivate ion channels in the membrane and thus regulate the voltage potential across the membrane. Ions, especially calcium ions, alter intracellular ion concentrations and activate intracellular second messenger cascades.

Simultaneously, activation of other surface receptors influences the activation of other intracellular signalling pathways. All the sensory information is integrated in the cell body!! Within the core of the soma the message is translated into the various levels of gene expression. This can alter the composition of proteins and other cellular components within the cell! If membrane potential at the axon hillock immediately adjacent to the cell body rises above a threshold because of actions of dendrite ion channels, an action potential is generated. Action potentials are instantaneous pulses through membrane depolarization, the rapid transmission then moves along the axons to the synaptic terminals. This may sometimes even be several centimetres away from the cell body.

Each of the 1011 neurons in the adult brain receives average of 103 – 104 synapses from 103 other neurons. Each pre-synaptic neuron is capable of exerting an infinitesimal amount of stimulatory and inhibitory influence on each postsynaptic neuron. This results in a most complex computational structure known!

The nervous system may be referred to as a set of functional units divided as sensory, motor and association: Sensory systems: process external stimuli into neuronal impulses and then create an internal representation of the external world. Motor systems: this system enables man to manipulate his environment and to influence other’s behaviour through communication. The association system represents the sensory input integrated with the internal drives and emotional stimuli, determining the actions of the motor units. Psychiatry is much involved and intrigued by the brain’s association function. An understanding of this process of association with both the sensory and the motor systems are vital for distinguishing logical thought from distortions constantly confronted by psychopathology. The sensory system role seems to be that of detecting stimuli and then to discriminate. This is done through applying filtration at all levels. The external world offers an infinite amount of potentially relevant information. As mentioned earlier, such external stimuli first need to be conformed into neural impulses, then the irrelevant information needs to be filtered out. An internal image of the external world (the environment) is thus created, according to the person’s acceptable viewpoint. This thus serves as a basis of reasoned thought. The sensory system’s crucial role is feature extraction! This is done through hierarchical organisations: 1. Transform physical stimuli into neural activity. 2. Refine and narrow the neural activity into a series of higher processing areas. This eliminates irrelevant data from higher representations and reinforces crucial features. 3. At the highest levels of sensory processing, neural images are transmitted to the association areas, to be acted upon in the light of emotion and motivation! The temporary strengthening of the synapse forms the basis for short-term memory. However long-term memory requires the postsynaptic cell to manufacture certain aiding proteins. This may result in higher frequency of receptors as well as remodelling of the postsynaptic area of the receiving neuron. The proteins also influence the pre-synaptic cell’s response. The physical structure of the synapse needs to change and adapt to the new data and new additional synapses need to be initiated to network the information further. According to the astounding principle of Genetic Filtration (as discussed previously), the DNA and RNA in the cells involved in this memory fixation are required to initiate the cell’s production of proteins which rewire the axon connections. The synthesis of new proteins is essential for neural networking only minutes subsequent to an experience in order for it to be imprinted as a memory. Research has revealed that genes may be blocked due to administration of certain drugs. Would these genes be blocked directly after new information has been processed it will prevent the experience from permanently settling as long-term memories due to the fact that the DNA in the cell’s nucleus is transcribed into a portable form called the messenger RNA (mRNA). Proteins are then produced according to the coded messages of the RNA. Experiments illustrate that either through blocking the transcription of the DNA into mRNA or blocking the translation of mRNA into the specified protein will allow short-term memory to stick but prevent consolidation of long-term memory. This blocking however needs to occur within the subsequent 24 hours otherwise consolidation has already occurred, and no blocking would be effective. The transition from temporary data to permanent is referred to as consolidation. This process requires more than a few hours. Research illustrated that memory consolidation requires sorting through new memories, integrating them with other memories and shuttling them to various brain areas for permanent storage. There are certain factors that will assist Tom, representing you and me, in allowing consolidation of the Truth. A certain factor in assisting consolidation is emotion. When man experiences something that is accompanied by strong emotion, fixation of the experience through consolidation is inevitable. When an experience enhances danger and threat to survival, it will be burned deeply into the brain and not forgotten. During a fearful experience, an epinephrine rush releases a flood of stress hormones and neurotransmitters that activate the Amygdale. Repetition is also an essential prerequisite for short-term data to move to long-term storage. This will ensure the development of strong synaptic connections, regular stimulation of the specific type of neurotransmitter involved with the message transmission and the stimulation of the needed receptors. This again results in the development of the neural pathways to enhance speedy transmission and response and save the body unnecessary energy.

The road less travelled is not the pathway preferred in the cortex of the human brain. The clearer pathways in the cortex, the easier and more effortless the brain can function without utilizing energy spent on conflicting, challenging new data. According to research on the neurological fatal development, the repetitive playing of certain music, such as Mozart, can indeed enhance the new-born’s ability to prefer certain sounds from the fatal world. Memories create a foundation for add-ons. Research revealed that the more knowledge (data) is stored in the various areas of the cortex the more associations can be made with the fresh incoming information. This will strongly enhance the consolidation process.

The greater the storage data in the cortex the more likely for the individual to learn efficiently new aspects built onto the stored data. Priming refers to the type of memory where one piece of information can cue the recall of another. This ensures the acceptability of familiar ‘keys’ (neurotransmitters). Therefore, when Tom hears the comment of a selfless, loving person stating that he is indeed special, he will reject this very unfamiliar message entering his mind. Genetic filtration kicks in and the message is prevented from entering deeper for further processing.

Each individual steers his own mind and states his own rules as to, according to him, utilize the incoming information most effectively. Certain determinants are responsible for the specific manner of dealing with all incoming information. Due to Genetic Filtration, it is clear that man can either accept or reject sensory data. Each individual is challenged with confronting impulses. Sensory information enters the nervous system and immediately faces the judging eye of the genetic filters in the somas (or cells). These ‘filters’ consists of data inherited and data gathered throughout the individual’s life up to that point. This data forms a scanning devise triggered the moment new or different information urges attention. The convictions of the heart of man manifests as the filters of all sensory data!!

Any impulse demanding a certain amount of energy and attention alerts the filtration system to come into action and scan the relevant information. This will determine continuation of the impulses to the next level of scanning and processing. According to a careful examination from the soma’s genetic expression, the sensory data will be transferred to the next nerve cell along the nerve pathway. Any transference of data in the nervous system occurs in an electro chemical manner. Ion channels are formed, neurotransmitters are released with high enough voltage potentials and the receiving neuron’s receptors are stimulated to further the process of transmission.

The neurotransmitter chosen to assist the specific process will be associated with a certain message. When the infant constantly receives sensory or spiritual messages pertaining rejection, e.g. unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, the Mother stating that she wished the baby was never born, baby’s presence is overwhelming for an already overburdened mother (as in Tom’s scenario), etc. This type of message will then release the typical neurotransmitter necessary for effective transmission. For the sake of illustration, this neurotransmitter can be referred to as the ‘R’ neurotransmitter. Eventually the continual stimulation of the corresponding receptors from neurotransmitters active during rejection messages (R) will form a nerve pathway. Due to the regular demand of these specific receptors, more receptors with the ability to accept or fit the so called ‘R’ neurotransmitter is produced and thus accumulates with demand. As mentioned earlier, receptors in high demand will eventually either increase in concentration per receiving dendrite or become highly sensitive to the ‘fitting’ neurotransmitter.

These ‘R’ receptors are then eagerly awaiting stimulation from ‘R’ neurotransmitters. This ensures rapid processing of information and columnar organization, indicating the pathways. Seeing that all information is integrated in the cell body, the full transmission of sensory data will be done within the very nucleus of the soma. Thus, the composition of the proteins is altered to adapt to the latest acceptable message!

Should an infant be repeatedly exposed to messages of rejection (‘R’ messages), he will eventually accept this and integrate it into his cell’s genetic data. This message becomes part of his identity and finds a well-accepted place in his psyche. This does not however signify his embrace of such a negative and destructive message although his mind has made room for it due to prioritizing energy saving for the sake of survival. This causes constant conflict in his psyche. His mind is accepting a message that is causing him harm! Someone like Tom has a deep, mostly unconscious cry to be loved and accepted. Trauma generates inner conflict. According to resent research done by the American Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) it is revealed that patients diagnosed with Bipolar Mood Disorder interpret facial expression of others differently. They would for instance interpret neutral facial expressions as angry faces. Clear activity in the left-amygdale reveals the stimulation of fear when the faces are shown. These people perceive others through their filter of fear and the negative association with people in general. Continual stimulation of the nerve cells will ensure the development of acceptance and the transfer of the message along the then well-known pathway in the cortex. Situations in the life of the individual may challenge him to either accept or reject the incoming information. When this individual (Tom in this case) finds himself in a situation where he feels special and accepted his mind will battle to incorporate this conflicting message. It interferes with the receptors available, the columnar structure of the pathways and therefore also with the speed of processing. The mind will either interpret the message of acceptance sceptically, awaiting the well-known stimulation of the ‘R’ transmission or it will reject the message as completely untrue due to prior conviction (gene expression). Such a message of acceptance can be referred to as the ‘S’ message (neurotransmitter). A ‘S’ message thus needs to be given to this individual on a constant basis or associated with a strong emotional experience, for the cortex to realize it deserves full attention and subsequent alteration of protein composition in the cell structure. This will ensure that nerve pathways align with the new conviction. Change is taking place! Delicate ultramicroscopic studies revealed that synapse formation proceeds at its highest rate during the first 6 – 8 years of an individual’s life. This process then plateaus and initiates decrease with onset of puberty. The excess connections are then pruned away. The younger child enjoys the highest density of synapses per unit volume of neural tissue as well as the highest level of cortical glucose metabolism in his lifetime. This stage of development in the child’s life is also the time of an enormous amount of sensory input, acquisition, social, environmental, linguistic, etc. Research suggests that infants raised in a chaotic and frightening home may be neurologically disadvantaged for the acquisition of complex cognitive skills in school. This age group is seen as the most absorbent, vulnerable and ‘sponge-like’ phase and therefore the most influence-able for Trauma! Man, often finds identity from the vast treasures of memories. It impacts his will, his choice, his perceptions, his thoughts, and his ability. Memories intertwine delicately with man’s identity. Due to the deeply embedded presence of both happy and traumatic memories in the brain, a more intense study on the impact of traumatic memories is essential for effective therapy. As the incoming information enters the brain and finds its way through the filters, further processing occurs also according to past interpretations. These convictions determine vast personality traits and choice. The will becomes the slave of past hurt. For someone like Tom to maintain relationships becomes a tormenting effort due to an ever-present expectation for rejection. Truth is excluded from such relationships. Lies form the foundation of his identity. Due to the amount of convincing lies (caused by emotional wounds) in his mind, Tom becomes a victim of his own thoughts. The battle to develop to full potential takes place in the arena of his psyche. He can only change once his thought patterns adapt to truth, rejecting the lie and not the other way around.

Thought processing is often initiated through an association. This can be referred to as a trigger. Typical triggers would be a tone of voice, a smell, a specific environment, or situation and even music or movie scenes. The trigger is responsible for the onset of the familiar trail of thought. Similar to the pushing over of the first domino, a cascade of domino will follow. The result: reacting upon the trigger. It is clear then that logic between the actual event and the reaction it triggered seems quite far removed. How indeed otherwise when the sensory data first must be filtrated according to the victim’s unique filter and then processed by his stimulated thought patterns. The mind eagerly chooses the road always travelled. Trauma therefore causes man’s mind to become his own prison, controlling his very thoughts and intensions, his motivations, and his personal growth.

Tom will need an experience of unconditional love and acceptance as prerequisite for change. The emotional pain has distorted Tom’s ability to receive the good news he so desperately needs to hear. His pain filters all incoming information. It convinced him that he is indeed worthless and unacceptable. When Tom passes a group of school friends softly talking and giggling, he will most probably interpret the situation through his familiar filter of rejection. He will be convinced that he is the topic of discussion and that the friends are laughing at him. He will therefore interpret almost all information according to this pain-inspired filter. A lie then determines the attention level of all sensory data! Tom’s perceptions of who he is and who others are, will impact every aspect of his life: his choices, his friends, his actions, his motivation, and his participation in activities, also his role in the community. He will more likely misinterpret circumstances and miss precious opportunities for personal growth.

How then will Tom’s perceptions and heart convictions change? “…be transformed by the entire renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) …” Romans 12:2 (Amplified Translation) Change is the mind in action. From the heart conviction is stirred and the will activated to manipulate the thinking and feeling to co-operate. The first domino needs to fall for the action trail to reach its goal. It is not always easy for the Toms in this world to be transformed and they need to be encouraged and reminded of the responsibility to start to discern lie from truth, miss perception from God’s reality and viewpoint. Experience brings change and things perceived the one day will be differently interpreted the next. The filter through which the human being perceives the world around him is dynamic and will adapt according to the conviction of the heart. Every experience whether traumatic or not is integrated into the psyche of man and his whole system adjusts to accommodate the latest viewpoint. No true change can occur without change in the core of man’s being his heart. His perception of who he is, who others are and who his Savior is, all depend on the impact of his generational history and of the past experiences as well as the role he has allowed the Truth to play in his life. Keeping in mind the: Perceive, Recognize and Understand Process of Change shared previously, we understand that permanent change only occurs within personal conviction. If then, fresh revelation enters the brain of Tom, he will be confronted to either convert the unfamiliar information to the old, familiar ones (as explained earlier), to stop the further processing or to produce the necessary proteins demanded for the further processing of this new piece of data. High energy level (> 100Hz) will sound the alarm to respond and produce that which is needed. Other than high emotional accompanied data and the repetition of the same information (as discussed previously); what then can motivate the response for permanent change? Hebrews 12: 4!The Word is dynamic (of high energy) and powerful and will cause the Truth to penetrate right through the body, soul and spirit into the very core of his being! Once the anointing of the Holy Spirit energizes man’s psyche with His revelation, he cannot but give room for the Truth to change the convictions of his heart and therefore his inner being’s filter. This will be manifested within the DNA of the nucleus in his neuron cells and act as the discerner of all incoming data. Man’s need for Godly filters, discerning with His wisdom and enlightenment all incoming data (even the Christian teachings and ‘revelations’) is crucial in these days and the days ahead. May we be therefore motivated and encouraged to spend much time seeking His presence and studying, contemplating and memorizing His Word so as to allow ample opportunity for His Truth to settle into our hearts and change our filters and steer our ways and actions.
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 By Gerdi van den Berg

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