L6 Headline
In normal circumstances, the self-image is shaped by our life experiences. But it is also possible to access it and create “imagined” or visualized experiences. Studies have shown that the APS operates with visualized experiences in a similar way to actual physical ones. This means if we visualize new creation truth, the self-image can be re-shaped or reset, and the APS will then work to steer us in outworking new creation life.
FULL STUDY:
The new creation life must be activated. In the new birth we receive a perfect, pure, holy and righteous new nature (in our spirit), but this does not automatically operate in and through us. It takes our active engagement and outworking. In this series we have seen the importance of taking hold of the calling to reign in life, in particular through identification, living by faith, and walking by the Spirit. This is all activation in the conscious realm. In the previous study, we began exploring the impact of our subconscious, and how this too needs to be brought into alignment with new creation reality.
Today we will look at remarkable insights from the Scripture that show how we can do this. In my experience, this can produce rapid growth, leading us to enjoy the overcoming life in more and more fullness. Today’s study is a brief overview. For a more complete picture and commentary, reference my book, “More than a Leopard.”
To begin, let us recap the main points from the last study. Essentially, we have a subconscious inner life that includes a self-image and an automatic mechanism I call the Auto Pilot System, or APS. The APS works to steer our life according to what it detects in the self-image. If we are to walk harmoniously in the new creation life, the self-image needs to be aligned with who we have become in the new birth, and all that we have as members of God’s family – including being a joint heir with Jesus. (Romans 8:17).
In normal circumstances, the self-image is shaped by our life experiences. But it is also possible to access it and create “imagined” or visualized experiences. Studies have shown that the APS operates with visualized experiences in a similar way to actual physical ones. This means if we visualize new creation truth, the self-image can be re-shaped or reset, and the APS will then work to steer us in outworking new creation life. How do we do this? First, by intentionally becoming calm. Sit still, or lie down, breathe slowly, maybe use some calming music. That is choosing calmness in the conscious realm. But if we can actually visualize calmness, this will activate the APS to steer us into a calm state also, which is deeper and more complete.
One exercise that seems to work well for this is to visualize (imagine) yourself blown up like a balloon, blown up with inner stress and tension. Then, visualize a stopper in your leg, and open the stopper to let all the inner tension out. As we visualize the body deflating, so inner calmness manifests. Then, it is good to recall a situation you have experienced that was very peaceful. (I like to use a memory of relaxing on a boat in the sun). As we recall a peaceful memory, it reinforces the calmness experience. Enjoy that for a few moments, and then switch to now visualizing whatever trait you want your self-image to become like, so that the APS can begin to align and outwork it. At this point we will use bible verses that contain the dianoia word that we explored in the previous study. This word includes the subconscious ideas we are exploring.
First, Ephesians 1:18-20:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. (heart = dianoia)
Paul prays that the inner eyes of our dianoia (subconscious) will be enlightened to see three things:
- the hope of His calling,
- the riches of the glory of His inheritance
- what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us!
In that calm state you have entered, begin to visualize those new creation truths. First, see yourself secure in God’s love, confidently outworking His purpose for your life. Then see yourself alongside Jesus as a joint heir, enjoying all of His abundance and inheritance, where He gives access to all things (Romans 8:32). And then see Jesus rising from the dead in victory, ascending into heaven to great cheers and the applause of millions of angels, and see the same resurrection power being activated inside you.
Try this for a few minutes each day, and as you do so, your self-image will become re-shaped, or reset, according to this new creation reality. This will directly overrule any state of brokenness contrary to who you have become in Christ. Many people come into Christ feeling rejected, unloved, isolated, excluded, struggling to find purpose, stuck in inferiority or inner poverty, plagued by feelings of unworthiness, fearful of judgment or falling short, powerless, defeated, or trapped in unpleasant or unclean habit patterns. And many other broken traits created and fueled by our fallen nature and the fallen world that have shaped our inner self-image. Visualizing in the way I outlined and in line with the Apostle’s prayer, will rapidly replace those traits with new creation truth.
Next, let us look at 1 Peter 1:13-16:
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Here, Peter uses the “gird up your loins” idiom (prepare for action), which we take as re-directing our APS. Out of calmness (sober), set your inner gaze or hope on the grace that comes from the manifest reality of Jesus and His finished work for us. Actively visualize a turning from the fallen nature and its lusts, and rather engage the holiness embedded within your new creation spirit within you. Grace releases joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness (Strong’s dictionary). See those things welling up from within you. See yourself outworking all you are in the new creation. Again, doing this for a few minutes each day will rapidly reset your self-image, causing the APS to direct your behavior in line with new creation reality.
There are two more passages that include the word dianoia that we will look at briefly. Both of these move us beyond mechanical outworking of new creation traits, into a deepening relationship with God, where He actively participates in our progress towards outworked wholeness.
1 John 5:20:
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
The underlined word is dianoia, which we have come to take as including our subconscious, with both the self-image and the APS. Using this interpretation, we see that God has given us these inner faculties so that we may KNOW Him! The word for know there is to know personally, or relationally. This isn’t just mechanical, or theology, but a means to deepen our personal knowledge of God, to grow our relationship with Him. Pursuit of Him in the subconscious realm will lead you into increased wholeness. As we activate becoming one with Him we will not be corrupt because He is pure. We will not be dark, because He is light. We will not be broken, because He is whole.
Simply by entering intentional calmness and then a few moments of visualizing who you are in Christ will increase your engagement with Him, and allow you to encounter and be impacted by His love. Visualize His love being poured out by the Holy Spirit within you! (Romans 5:5)
Finally, Hebrews 8:10-12
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Once again, the underlined word is our word dianoia. The remarkable insight here is that God Himself says He will work His laws into our subconscious! How does He do that? I believe He participates with us, as we engage in the intentional calmness and visualization I have outlined. He is committed to produce in us all the results of the finished work Jesus accomplished, and the new covenant He sealed in His own blood. As we visualize that to reset the self-image, and engage it also through communion and active faith and choices in the conscious, so we can participate with Him in inner harmony, as He participates with us! That is the union in new creation life, the pathway to living out all we have become in Christ.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. (1 Thessalonians 5:23).