Chapter 18: The Self

When people abandon God’s Way
Their own self-righteousness appears ^a

When people turn to cleverness
Their own deception appears

When people lose harmony in the family ^b
Their emphasis on family values appears

When the people are confused and in chaos ^c
Their false minister appears

^aExodus 32:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:18-21; ^b 1 Timothy 5:8; ^cJeremiah 23:16.

Trinitarian M.A.P.

Mindset, Aim, and Practice are the three pillars of a spiritually guided path rooted in Love, Trust, and Faith, empowering us to fulfill our God-given mission. Understanding the Love of the Father will shape our MINDSET, opening our hearts to Trust in the teachings of the Son to direct our AIM, and empowers us to deepen our Faith in the Holy Spirit to guide our daily PRACTICE.

Mindset:

1. Be Humble and Avoid Self-Righteousness

Mindset: In a world where self-assertion and pride are often celebrated, humility is a key foundation for aligning with God’s will. Self-righteousness and arrogance stem from reliance on one’s own understanding, often leading us away from God’s path.
Real-World Application: Act with humility, understanding that true wisdom and righteousness come from God, not from human knowledge or cleverness. Recognize when pride is leading you and ask for God’s guidance to remain humble and dependent on His wisdom.
Scripture Reference: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

2. Rely on God, Not on Deception or Cleverness

Mindset: The world often values cleverness and manipulation to achieve goals. However, this leads to deception and misalignment with God’s way. Aligning with God’s will requires trust in His truth, not in worldly schemes.
Real-World Application: Avoid shortcuts and deceitful practices that seem expedient but ultimately stray from God’s teachings. Instead, lean on God’s truth, which offers lasting guidance even when the world seems to offer easier solutions.
Scripture Reference: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22)

3. Focus on True Harmony in Relationships

Mindset: When the family or relationships face discord, it’s often because individuals are more focused on their own desires than God’s will. True family values, according to God, focus on love, respect, and harmony.
Real-World Application: Foster peace, love, and understanding within your family and relationships. Prioritize God’s way of love, humility, and servanthood to bring true harmony into your interactions, especially when there is conflict.
Scripture Reference: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

4. Discern True Leadership from False Promises

Mindset: In a world full of voices, the loudest or most persuasive leaders may not always be the ones who represent God’s truth. False ministers or leaders promise much but fail to deliver God’s peace and justice.
Real-World Application: Be discerning in whom you follow. Measure leadership against God’s word and integrity. Avoid leaders or movements that promise worldly success or comfort but do not lead you toward God’s truth.
Scripture Reference: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1)

5. Seek the Truth, Not Empty Rituals

Mindset: It’s easy to get caught up in outward appearances or rituals that seem good but are hollow without the right heart behind them. The desire to be seen as righteous or good can lead us to put on facades instead of truly living out God’s will.
Real-World Application: Focus on cultivating a genuine relationship with God and others, not on external displays of goodness that lack substance. Let your actions reflect the true transformation God works in your heart.
Scripture Reference: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)

By adopting this mindset and integrating these practices, you will be better equipped to align your actions with God’s will, live with integrity, and discern the truth in a world filled with distractions and misdirection.

AIM:

1. Humility Over Self-Righteousness

What to Aim For: Recognize the importance of humility and avoid self-righteousness. In a world full of self-promotion, maintaining a posture of humility allows you to walk closely with God and follow His guidance.
What to Keep Your Eyes On: Look for opportunities to serve others selflessly. Avoid focusing on your own perceived righteousness, and instead reflect on God’s grace and mercy.
Scripture Reference: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

2. Wisdom Over Cleverness

What to Aim For: Seek wisdom from God rather than relying on human cleverness or manipulation to achieve success.
What to Keep Your Eyes On: Focus on godly wisdom that leads to lasting peace and understanding, not the temporary solutions that often come from deceit or trickery.
Scripture Reference: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” (Proverbs 14:8)

3. True Family Harmony Over False Ideals

What to Aim For: Aim for true harmony and peace within your family, guided by God’s love and truth.
What to Keep Your Eyes On: Pay attention to the health of your relationships and families, seeking to resolve conflicts and promote unity with God’s help.
Scripture Reference: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

4. Discernment in Leadership

What to Aim For: Keep your focus on seeking godly leadership and wise counsel, and avoid being swayed by those who lead through fear or false promises.
What to Keep Your Eyes On: Watch for leaders who genuinely lead with integrity and whose actions align with God’s Word. Be cautious of those who manipulate or deceive.
Scripture Reference: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1)

5. Truth Over Deception

What to Aim For: Aim to live by God’s truth and avoid any form of deception, whether in your personal life, work, or relationships.
What to Keep Your Eyes On: Keep your eyes on God’s word as the foundation for your actions, ensuring that your life reflects truth, integrity, and godliness.
Scripture Reference: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

By keeping your focus on these priorities and maintaining vigilance against distractions, you will be better prepared to practice these principles and fulfill your purpose in alignment with God’s will. These actions are reflective of the deeper truths that each faith espouses—seeking wisdom, promoting love, and serving others, all while honoring God.

Practice:

1. Cultivate Humility and Avoid Self-Righteousness

What to Do: Practice humility in your daily life. This means recognizing your dependence on God and not elevating yourself above others. Resist the temptation to become self-righteous, especially when it comes to your own achievements or spirituality. Instead, embrace God’s grace and acknowledge that it is He who guides and sustains you.
Real-World Application: In your relationships and work, focus on serving others without expecting accolades or recognition. Reflect on your actions, and ask God to guide your heart toward humility.
Scripture Reference: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

2. Seek Wisdom Over Cleverness

What to Do: Actively seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Bible study, and listening to godly counsel rather than relying on worldly cleverness or manipulation. Wisdom from above brings peace and righteousness (James 3:17). When faced with decisions, choose integrity and God-honoring solutions, even if they seem less expedient.
Real-World Application: At work or in relationships, choose actions that reflect God’s wisdom and integrity. If you’re in a position of influence, consider how your decisions impact others and strive to lead with humility and sound judgment.
Scripture Reference: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

3. Build True Family Harmony

What to Do: Prioritize the well-being and harmony of your family, making time for nurturing relationships, resolving conflicts with grace, and upholding biblical values. Focus on love, respect, and understanding, which create an environment where family members can grow together in faith.
Real-World Application: Practice patience, forgiveness, and communication within your family. If tensions arise, approach them with a heart of reconciliation and seek God’s guidance for healing and unity.
Scripture Reference: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

4. Seek True Leadership

What to Do: Choose to follow leaders who lead with integrity and in alignment with God’s values. Similarly, be a leader who embodies humility and service, leading others by example. Resist following leaders who use fear or manipulation, and instead embrace leaders who inspire through authenticity and wisdom.
Real-World Application: Evaluate the leadership in your community, workplace, or church, seeking leaders who demonstrate godliness. In your own role, strive to lead by serving others and keeping the interests of God’s Kingdom at the forefront.
Scripture Reference: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

5. Discern the Truth and Live Authentically

What to Do: Embrace the truth of God’s Word as your guide for living. Avoid the allure of deception, whether it’s in personal relationships, business, or public life. Walk in transparency and honesty, reflecting the truth of Christ in all you do.
Real-World Application: Be intentional about living authentically, whether at work, in social circles, or in your family. Align your actions with the truth of God’s Word and seek to be a light to others in how you live and interact.
Scripture Reference: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

By practicing these principles—humility, wisdom, family harmony, true leadership, and living authentically—you will be positioning yourself to fulfill your purpose according to God’s Will. Focus on living with integrity, serving others, and reflecting Christ’s love in every area of your life. These actions will help you grow spiritually and fulfill God’s calling for you in today’s world.

Universal Language of Truth

The New Evangelization aims to unite all people and nations through a universal language of truth that speaks to diverse cultures, histories, and faiths. This chapter highlights our commonalities rather than our differences. Through this, we become the "Light" of the Holy Spirit for others to follow in the Body of Christ, illuminating His presence in the world.

1. Humility Over Self-Righteousness

Christianity: The idea of rejecting self-righteousness in favor of humility is central to Jesus’ teachings. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” The Christian faith calls believers to imitate Christ, who embodied perfect humility.
Islam: The Qur’an emphasizes humility, as seen in Surah Al-Furqan 25:63: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily…” This humility is a sign of one’s submission to God’s will.
Buddhism: Buddhism teaches about non-attachment and humility through the concept of “right view” and “right action” in the Eightfold Path. It encourages detachment from ego and self-centered desires, leading to spiritual liberation.
Hinduism: In the Bhagavad Gita (13:8-12), humility is described as a vital quality for those seeking wisdom and self-realization, aligning with the concept of surrendering to God.

2. Wisdom Over Cleverness

Christianity: Proverbs 3:5-7 speaks to the importance of seeking God’s wisdom rather than relying on human understanding: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” The Christian faith advocates wisdom as a gift from God (James 1:5).
Islam: The Qur’an (2:269) similarly highlights the value of wisdom: “He grants wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good.” Wisdom in Islam comes through submission to God’s guidance and seeking knowledge through divine sources.
Judaism: The Hebrew Scriptures, particularly the Book of Proverbs, emphasize wisdom as a foundation for a righteous life. Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Taoism: Taoism itself, through the Tao Te Ching, encourages the pursuit of wisdom over mere cleverness. Wisdom in Taoism is about living in harmony with the Tao (the Way), which transcends human intellect and ego.

3. Harmony in Family

Christianity: Ephesians 6:1-4 speaks to the importance of family harmony, with children instructed to honor their parents and fathers to raise their children with love and discipline. Family is viewed as a foundational institution in God’s design.
Islam: In Islam, family is highly valued, and the Qur’an (31:14) emphasizes respect for parents: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship…” This underscores the importance of family relationships and respect within the home.
Buddhism: While Buddhist teachings do not explicitly focus on family, the principle of loving-kindness (Metta) extends to familial relationships, fostering peace, understanding, and non-harm.
Confucianism: The Confucian teachings of filial piety stress the importance of family harmony and respect for elders, with a focus on social stability and moral conduct in the home.

4. Discernment and Truth

Christianity: Jesus’ words in John 8:32—“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—affirm the Christian emphasis on truth as vital for spiritual freedom and salvation.
Islam: The Qur’an often calls for adherence to truth, with one example being Surah Al-Ahzab 33:70: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” Truthfulness is integral to living a righteous life.
Judaism: The importance of truth is emphasized in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as in Proverbs 12:19: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” In Judaism, truth is a key virtue in personal and communal life.
Hinduism: In the Bhagavad Gita (16:3), truth (Satya) is a vital principle for righteous living. It is aligned with dharma (duty) and is fundamental to achieving spiritual liberation.

5. Living in Alignment with Divine Will

Christianity: The New Testament teaches that believers should live in alignment with God’s will, as seen in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation is guided by God’s purpose for each individual.
Islam: In Islam, submission to Allah’s will (the meaning of Islam itself) is central. Surah Al-Imran 3:64 calls for surrendering fully to God’s will: “Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equal between us and you…that we will not worship except Allah.'”
Buddhism: In Buddhism, aligning with the natural order and the path of enlightenment is key. This is seen in the Eightfold Path, where right mindfulness, right intention, and right action align the individual with the path to Nirvana.
Taoism: Taoism teaches that living in harmony with the Tao (the Way) means accepting the flow of life and aligning oneself with the natural order. This philosophy emphasizes non-resistance to the divine order of the universe.

Across all these religious traditions, there is a common thread that calls for humility, wisdom, harmony, truth, and submission to divine will. These principles transcend individual religious systems and point to universal truths about the nature of human existence, the importance of ethical conduct, and the need to align with a higher power for true peace and fulfillment. Whether expressed through Christian teachings, Islamic law, Buddhist practices, or Taoist philosophy, these values are not only spiritually significant but also practical in guiding individuals toward a righteous life in service to God and others.

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