Instinct is
defined as a behavior pattern that is universal for a species -- that is, every
member of the species does it without any opportunity to learn. At one time psychologists believed that human
behavior, like that of animals, is instinctive.
In the late 1880s and early 1900s, psychologist William James and
William MacDougal argued that people have instincts that foster survival and
social behavior.
However, before I go further,
here are some words from the Scriptures that I hope Rev. Jakes, as a man who is
delivering God’s message, will reread and reconsider his comparison of man to
animals.
God Created Man in His image
God clearly says from creation that people (male and female) are
superior to animals - Gen. 1:26-28; Psalm 8:4-8. Man is more valuable to God
than animals - Matt. 10:29-31; 12:11, 12; 6:26; 15:26. Men are more intelligent
than animals - Job 35:10,11; Psalms 73:22; Hosea 7:11; Psalms 32:9. Because of
this superior intelligence, God is able to communicate to man by the written
word, the Scriptures - 2 Tim. 3:16,17. What has God written to communicate His
will to animals?
Even more important, the Bible clearly teaches that men were
created in the image of God - Gen. 1:26-28; 5:1; 9:2-6; James 3:9. This is not
said of animals. Men have spirits that are responsible to study God's word and
obey it - Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1; 2
Corinthians 4:16-5:1. Ecclesiastes 3:21 - The spirit of man goes
upward, but the spirit of a beast goes down to the earth. There is a sense in
which an animal has a spirit - animal life. But it does not continue past
death. (Isaiah 31:3)
Men will be judged for their lives, good or bad, and will
receive eternal rewards accordingly - Genesis 2:16, 17; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14;
Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 12:36; Acts 17:30,31; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Romans 2:6-10;
Hebrews 4:9. Animals do not have this moral responsibility - Matthew 7:6;
23:33; 12:34; Acts 20:29, 30; Titus 1:12,13; 2 Peter 2:12; Jude 10; 1 Peter
5:8; Proverbs 26:3.
Finally, the most important proof of all is that Jesus died to
save mankind - human beings, not animals - Titus 2:11,12; 3:3-7; 1 Timothy
2:4-6; Isaiah 53:5,8; Romans 5:6-9,12,18,19.
If God values animals as equally important to man, why did Jesus
not die for them? The answer is obvious. Animals have no spirit, no moral
responsibility, no eternal destiny, and therefore they are not held accountable
for right and wrong. Jesus did not die to save them because they do not need to
be saved.
Men are superior to animals in their spirit, their intelligence,
their value to God, their moral responsibility, their eternal destiny, and in
the price God paid to save them from sin.
Now, returning to the
concept of instinct, today, it is rare to find any psychologists,
psychiatrists, clinical social workers, or any other mental health
professionals that believe that human behavior is motivated by instinct. If the behavior pattern is instinctive, they
argue, it should be found throughout the species. However, there’s so much
variation in the way people behave that human behavior cannot be describes as
instinctive.
Man has Intuition, Not Instincts
Intuition is the most appropriate concept
when applied to human beings and one in which I will substitute for instinct. Intuition is defined as a kind of immediate
knowledge or awareness not based upon some logical process -- a form of insight
that brings together appropriately relationships between the elements of a
problem or situation.
The key distinction to be made here is that by definition instinct can only be
applied to animals while intuition can only be applied to human beings.
Intuition allows you to discover unseen realities and hidden truths. It alerts
you to problems and warns you of risks and dangers you might not otherwise
detect. It is that sixth sense -- that faculty of the mind that operates
independently of reason and logic. It is a way of sensing something that
produces instantaneous comprehension and can occur spontaneously.
Certain qualities make you more sensitive to intuitive experiences like
relaxation, patience, and self-control. Do not confuse intuition with hope, emotion, or intellect.
Rather, it is developed through trial and error. Moreover, it cannot be
explained. You know when you have it.
Awakening intuition is about learning to trust yourself. You need to let your
intuition guide you and then be willing to follow that guidance directly and
fearlessly. Now, here's the:
Four Ways to Develop Your Intuition
Intuition can be developed to produce genius in individuals thought to be
mediocre or even of inferior intelligence. Here then are four tips for
developing your intuition:
1. Learn to tune into intuitive experiences and to recognize their quality.
Intuitive impulses are a form of sensed perception and are distinguished by a
vague sense of being certain or almost certain.
2. Be aware of soft facts as well as hard facts. Soft facts are less formal or
obvious such as impressions, feelings, inclinations, and vibrations. Hard facts
are logical, objective, and overt. Soft facts are hunches, intuitive, and
invisible. Hard facts are obvious, conscious, and tangible. In most situations
both soft and hard facts will reveal themselves.
3. Intuition is commonly experienced within the context of choice. When a
choice need to be made, intuition will signal stop or go. This faculty is
developed by comparison and contrast. By comparing your subjective experience
with the eventual correctness or incorrectness of your choice, you can eventually
sense the expression which will match up.
4. Be true to your intuition. Extraneous factors will often intrude, such as social pressures, wish fulfillment, greed, impatience and so
on which can alter the basis for your decision.
A word of caution. Do not rely solely upon your intuition. Study the situation.
Use the other side of your brain and do your research. After you have done your
research, then let your intuition guide you to your final choice. Intuition is
something to be used in conjunction with your logical, rational abilities.
Now you know that the next time you hear a commentator, analyst, broadcaster, Rev. Jakes or anyone else associate the term instinct with human beings, it is charitable to
say that you are listening to someone who is just being imprecise in their
thinking.
Now it’s your turn. Do you trust your intuition? If so what experiences have
you had?
Leave your comments.
