When You Don’t Need Teaching To Know Your Purpose: Instincts – PDL Insights (Part 18)
When You
Don’t Need Teaching To Know Your Purpose: Instincts – PDL Insights (Part 18)
When you were born, with a little slapping or
without you started crying and that was a sign of life and normality to those
attending to your birth. Without any
teaching you started sucking milk from your mother’s breasts. How come
everyone, with the exception of a few understood to be defective cry and suck
milk naturally. This is instinctive behaviour. There are many things that
living things (including human beings) do that they are not taught. The subject
of instincts is a subject that has been under studies for the past two
centuries as many tried to explain human motivation and behaviour. Not going
into much details of the debate, it is clear from the light of truth in the
bible that there is an in built motivation in God’s creation that works in
living beings that guide certain functions.
Some discoveries enlightened by truth have
come to the conclusion that human beings are created with three major inborn
desires or instincts that provide the needed energies to be fruitful and
fulfil our purposes. These are; the desire to procreate, desire to rule and
desire to provide [Genesis 1: 28-29]. These
desires work in interrelation to provide whatever energy needed for any
endeavour. In as much as these are general to all, the God who has created all
human beings as unique individuals with unique figure prints cannot be imagined
to be unable to wire us differently in how these instincts operate.
With the guidance of
the three basic instincts described here, we have different branches of these
instincts according to our differences in wiring that help us to be different
as we pursue our purposes and fulfil the unique mandates that we are uniquely
designed for. If our uniqueness is not by accident, then the one who has made
us unique has different goals that he sees of every one of us. These goals or
ends can be instinctively understood by every individual and everyone is
designed with an instinctive mechanism that draws us towards the different
ends. We are happy and fulfilled to the degree that we are walking towards
those goals and walking in agreement with the instincts wired in every one of
us to fulfil those goals.
When we continue on
the aspect of personal power, we cannot comprehensively discuss what we are
naturally endowed with that helps us fulfil our purposes by original design
without talking about these instincts. Early research and writings of the 20th
century describe instincts as innate tendencies to certain kind of human
actions and the source of human motivation. They further describe them as
expressed in circumstances in which in the absence of experience and taking
into consideration the level of mentality otherwise attained by the organism in
question, there can be no knowledge of the end nor deliberate and conscious
contrivance on the part of the individual according Ginsberg (1931)
To motivate behaviour,
in addition to instincts, our environments contribute to what we do and the
goals that we chase. The environment in this case includes the natural
environment and the culture and learning that we are exposed to. Some of it is
consistent with our natural instincts but some of it is contrary. The
environmental factors, culture, learning and training that is consistent with
our instincts and purposes sharpen us and empower us to live peacefully and
joyfully, but when these are contradictory they divert us from understanding
the voice of instinct and push us to live otherwise.
As each one has received some spiritual gift,
he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God’s many-sided grace
— if someone speaks, let him speak God’s
words; if someone serves, let him do so out of strength that God supplies; so
that in everything God may be glorified through Yeshua the Messiah — to him be
glory and power forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 4:10-11 Complete Jewish Bible]
The text shows us that
everyone has received some spiritual gift. Without learning we find ourselves
operating in this gift. We may do different things to sharpen our gifts but we
instinctively know what to do and how to do it. Some environments help us so
that it is easy and natural to operate in our gifts and fulfil our purposes but
some environment work against these natural inclinations. The bible does not
show us how we are to use the gifts but sometimes shows the good ends to be
realised. The ends are spelt in our values that clearly illustrated as
expressing love and service to others. The how part is in our instincts.
Some have tried to
teach from their experiences on how to do certain things, like finding a
partner or finding your purpose. This has helped some but this has also not
helped everyone. This is because the ‘how’ is unique to every individual. There
may be similarities with those who have been ahead of us but they are not meant
to be standards and absolutes. This Purpose Driven Life (PDL) journey has
therefore been showing us some pointers that help us identify our purposes like
the gift, passion and values clusters but the three clusters are not complete
without talking about instincts. In one way or the other you have to learn to
follow your instincts and take all forms of instruction through teaching and
training as guides.
I will give the
illustration through a text earlier referred to in the journey about Spiritual
Gifts. One dimension of Spiritual gifts is called the gifts of the Holy Spirit
discussed in the text below,
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of
wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith
by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To
another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of
spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of
tongues: [1 Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV]
The interesting thing in this portion and
every other part of the bible is that we never see where the bible explains how
the gifts operate. We are not told how the word of knowledge comes or the word
of wisdom or any of the other remaining seven gifts. That is instinctive and
Spirit led. Taking the word of knowledge for example, the knowledge can come in
the form of a dream, an audible voice, inward witness, vision, something that
you feel on your body this is not important. The important thing is that you
got a word that gave you knowledge that you could not have gotten on your own
without the help of the Holy Spirit. The how part is instinctive.
The same also applies to the Gifts of Christ
in, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. We can have guides
and clues of what they are supposed to accomplish generalised as equipping the
saints for the work of ministry but there is no definitive blue print on how
they do it and the stages of development because the rest is unique for every
individual and is supposed to be pursued by instinct. The two examples of the
operation of Spiritual gifts gives us an understanding of why understanding the
role of instincts is important in pursuing The Purpose Driven Life (PDL).
The PDL takes into consideration one’s
uniqueness that deals with different gifts, skills, talents, abilities,
passions, desires, convictions and values. Trying to find a blue print that
gives you three steps towards what sort or seven steps towards what ends will
not work for you. Using clues and pointers like what this book is doing is just
to guide you but at the end of the day you have to follow the instincts within.
They tell you that there is more to be done. They give you the energy and
motivation to continue when you pass through dark moments.
On your PDL you will come across dark moments,
situations where the facts will tell you it is impossible, science will show
you impossibility. It is only instinct that will make sense and will guide you
to the realisation of your goals. Most of us have been through different
situations where everything was not making sense but our instincts speaking
otherwise. When we followed instincts we realised successes or victories that
gave us more joy. This is why I say Instincts are part of the personal power
that have to be understood and harnessed in the PDL journey. When everything is
not making sense it is the energies released by our instincts that power us to
soldier on.
This is not however an instruction or a
license to despise learning, teachings, advice and counsel but this shows us
how to balance the two for success. The PDL journey will have a lot of setbacks
and failures. You might follow the environment and learning and fail or follow
instincts and fail but it is instincts that will give you the energy to rise
and continue because the instincts for increase, growth and purpose will be
speaking from within. This discussion on instincts is meant to awaken you to
the reality of their existence and also that you can harness them and follow
them on the PDL journey because they are an important tool never to be ignored.
Instincts are also important in a world where
there is competition and where the environment pushes us to compare ourselves
with others. When we listen more to the voices in the environment they can be
an inspiration showing us what is possible but they can be a hindrance when we
try to match up to the standards they set. As I earlier highlighted, our
purposes are unique and so are the journeys and processes. Our instincts speak
to us to be at peace with wherever we are as long as we are not going ahead or
staying behind them. Listening to them is important when the world around us is
comparing us to the standards it sets.
Your age mates might all be married and you
are not, they may have children and you are yet to have any. Someone leading a
business, church or organisation might be achieving more than you are according
to natural measurement and this could be discouraging. Listening to the
internal voices might be showing you peace and tranquillity, awareness of
instincts will make you live to measure up with the internal standard and not
external ideas that can push you out of the PDL path.
Looking at some living practical examples of
the working of instinct and the need to balance with information and
instruction that we get from outside, we will look at a biblical example.
Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God
from the produce of his farm. Abel also
brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of
meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn't get his
approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk. [Genesis 4:3-5 THE MESSAGE
Bible]
In the above text we see the children of the
first couple bringing an offering to God. We never hear God speaking to the
first couple about offerings. How did they come to the understanding of the
need to worship? The need to worship is instinctive in all human beings. It
takes a lot of teaching and brainwashing or a number of experiences to silence
the voice of instinct that show people of this desire to worship something or
someone.
This instinct to worship is what I believe was
behind the Cain and Abel’s worship with offerings. Abel got the right kind of
worship but Cain did not. This shows us why sometimes our instincts need the
information and instruction for a good balance. The problem with Cain was not
that he did not bring the best offering in the first place but the attitude
that he had after his offerings had not been received. He could just have asked
God why it had not been received and get instruction and teaching to direct his
instincts to correct worship. He responded by hatred to his brother.
This text shows the foundation of all false
and misinformed religion. It is instinctive in them to worship their Creator or
whatever they deify to be God. The problem is when they don’t bother to hear
from the creator how he wants to be worshipped and force the creator to accept
whatever kind of worship they are willing to give him. This is clearly
illustrated by Jesus instruction on worship who said,
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the
true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the
kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must
worship in spirit and in truth." [John 4:23-24 NIV]
Worshipping God in spirit is a broad subject
that needs a whole book to explain. In the context of this discussion I would
call worshipping God in spirit as the instinctive part of worship like what
pushed Cain and Abel to bring offerings. The truth part is the part that shows
the revelation part of how God instructs us of worship. Cain did not have this
understanding and was supposed to ask God. To date many people, worship in
different ways and to different gods. Some are sincere in their worship and I
would say they may to some extent worshipping in spirit but it is not in truth
because they have not known or have rejected the truth part that was revealed
by Jesus Christ and passed on to us in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
The same applies to the issue of The Purpose
Driven Life (PDL). It requires both the spirit (instinct) and truth
(instruction, guidance, training, teaching, advise or counsel). The PDL may be
picked by instinct. There are many aspects of one’s purpose that people will
get by instinct. This may happen whether they are walking in the truth of
worshipping God or not. Many people who are not in conscious fellowship of a
walk with God have aspects of the PDL that they can pursue and fulfil but it is
usually not complete without the truth that comes from the word of God which is
an instruction manual for humanity and also an intimate relationship with the
one who created them for His purpose. We see an example of people who can walk
in many aspects of their pre-set purposes without a relationship with God in
Cyrus the King.
God's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom
he took by the hand to give the task of taming the nations, of terrifying their
kings — He gave him free rein, no restrictions:
"I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break
down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I'll lead
you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables — Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God,
the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. It's because of my dear servant
Jacob, Israel my chosen, That I've singled you out, called you by name, and
given you this privileged work. And you don't even know me! [Isaiah 45:1-4 THE MESSAGE Bible]
This demonstrates that many people can live
purpose driven lives without a relationship with the creator even though this
does not guarantee eternal destiny except the prescribed way which is salvation
in Christ Jesus. The above text clearly shows that Cyrus did not personally
know and acknowledge the true God of Israel in the last sentence of the text. ‘And
you don't even know me!’ He discovered and walked in his purpose by instinct.
Some believers know the truth and are in a
relationship with the Maker but are not fulfilling their purposes because they
have been instructed by religion and the system of the world to an extent that
they are no longer hearing their instincts. The religiously follow doctrines of
man that take them away from understanding their internal worlds where there
are voices of passion, values and convictions. This explains why religion as
explained in earlier insights can stand in the way of the PDL and also why some
non-believers can live out Purpose Driven Lives that make a greater impact that
believers.
The ideal situation would be maximising on the
spirit and truth balance. With insight playing its part in our purposes the
equation is complete if we follow our purposes with the truth of a relationship
with the creator and his revealed truth of His Word. The truth will show us the
way, will give us values that will direct the pursuit of our values and
desires. It will show us ideal practical examples of those who walked the PDL
in a good relationship with the Master. In the word of God, we will get
instruction and direction on how to get the best out of ourselves and a lot
that is at our disposal to maximise our potential.
In the word of God, we will also get instruction
and empowerment on integrity which guarantees fruit as we pursue our purposes,
which will in the long run will give us a cutting edge. The word of truth will
also show us how to do the best in this life while securing our eternal destiny
and how to walk the PDL in a way that will earn eternal rewards from the
Heavenly Father who is our master. Many who are used by God to fulfil his
purposes are sometimes used because the rightful people are not responding, but
these are in the long run not rewarded for their efforts and the manual calls
them vessels without honour.
Instincts are part of the personal power that
we have that is relevant to the full PDL. Harnessing this power is necessary
for maximum fruitfulness but several times we look at what we do not have and
find reasons to justify our lack of productivity. We can appease our
consciences with the justifications but this is temporary as the consequences
are difficult to bear. Many live with bitterness and frustration because they
have not learnt to follow their instincts.
It is our instinct that drive us to desire
growth. Our instincts will tell us when we have arrived. Our instincts will
tell us when we meet the right partner or when we find the ideal role that
allows us to express our values and gifts. It is instinctive to multiply and
bring increase to what we have. We need instincts to live the PDL but they will
need balance from the outside world and the help of other people. Wisdom is the
perfect guide for instincts to discern times, seasons, destinations and tools
to help us be the best. Instincts are part of the power that works within that
God is willing to work with to see us maximise our potential and make the
difference that we were created to have.
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