The Behavior Pyramid

Consider two cultural icons: Mother Teresa and Madonna.

Who represents materialism? Self-sacrifice? I don’t suppose it took you long to answer! And why is that? The reason is that our actions reflect our values. Our values may be hidden, but our behavior isn’t. Our behavior is like the visible tip of a pyramid, the base of which remains out of sight. Here’s what this “behavior pyramid” looks like:

see illustrations

Here’s what it portrays: Our acts are motivated by our values, which come from our beliefs, which are based on what we accept to be the truth. So we’re in really deep trouble if what we believe to be true isn’t true. For instance, if you get on a plane that’s bound for Siberia, but you firmly believe it’s going to the South Pacific, you’re in for a real shock when you arrive and you see the frozen forests instead of sunny beaches.

In all of life’s decisions, it’s critical to act on values that come from beliefs that are based on what’s really true. Otherwise, our lives will be a constant disaster. It doesn’t matter how firmly you believe something; if it’s not based on the truth and you act on it, you’ll suffer. Take what Jesus said about Himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). If that’s true, will you be able to get to God through other religious leaders, through meditation or doing good works? The truth is that if you want access to God, you have to go through Jesus. So is it mean-spirited to insist that “the way” of Christianity is the only way to God, or is it just being consistent with the truth—the gospel truth?

I’d say it’s the most significant eternal truth you can add to your “truth base.” Do you have it as the cornerstone of your foundation? —Dean Ohlman

REFLECTION

• Whenever I act in a manner contrary to my beliefs, am I bothered by my inconsistency?
• If I’m not bothered, do I really believe what I say I believe?
• How careful am I about what I put in my “truth base”?

“I tell you the truth.” (said by Jesus 31 times in Matthew)

campus journal