CONNECTING WITH THOSE TRANCED IN THE MATRIX: (19 OCT 2016)

A message on how to maintain bridges of communication with the Matrix’s comatose inhabitants. We live in times where those in the Matrix prefer to stay in their shallow superficialities, rather than perceive painful realities. “Let the nations be wakened…”(A) “They are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs,…sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes they are greedy dogs…who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain…’Tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant.’ “(B) Everyone who is awake knows the problem trying to communicate with those in the Matrix. What is the answer?? This message challenges us to change our ways to change the World. The issue is not for the World to line up with God, but for us to line up with the Way so we can be God’s agent of change. Or to put it into psychology lingo: “to establish the counseling relationship”. Trust is the foundation of all communication; empathy is a powerful tool. So let’s discuss how to have that counseling relationship.

A FRIEND IS ONE WHO CAN TELL YOU THE TRUTH IN LOVE. So the key to the problem is Christlike love, and we’ll get into the nitty gritty of it all in this message. This level of agape love comes from living a godly life to the point you naturally exude love. I had the privilege to work for a year around a man who was exceptionally like Christ; and he showed me that we can successfully communicate with anyone. He never failed, & some of the techniques of his Christ-like love will be in this message. The ancient wisdom of Proverbs 27:5-6 reveals part of key: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Remember the kisses of Judas!) It’s true, if someone knows we deeply care about them, and agape love him or her, advice & constructive criticism will be listened to. We earn the right to speak the painful truth into someone’s life, by loving them. This text warns us that we can be destroyed by flattery, & saved by criticism. But it also in a backhanded way underscores the importance of being a loving friend in order to give advice.

ESTABLISHING RECEPTIVITY. Or in other words, how do we actually love someone in a way to get through to them??? People are not robots, they have emotions & barriers blocking the truth. People love their habits, including their habits of thought. They resist leaving the comfort zone of their habits of thought. Further, especially today’s generation, have short attention spans & wandering attention. People will use wishful thinking to insure that they see & hear a world that matches their perceptions. They will strike back and perhaps try to intimidate you with attacks, or fight fire with fire, or stone wall you and simply avoid any discussion. It is better to have him resist, than for the person to stone wall you. It shows the person is considering the merits of the case. Irrefutable arguments are not going to work. You have to get them to try on the new idea, like trying on a new pair of shoes. The person has to realize how he could use the new idea & how it will feel. He needs to translate your concept & words into his own words. Get him to talk about your ideas–then he is translating it into his own concepts. Let the person think and work on the new idea. Ask yourself: what info do I need to build my case?? then ask the person questions to get this info from them. I have seen one skilled minister make others think the idea was their own! It works. Let’s continue looking at what will work.

MORE WAYS TO ESTABLISH RECEPTIVITY, OR HOW TO LOVE THE LISTENER. When we talk with these unwitting comatose Matrix dwellers, one needs to focus on them rather than the topic…give feedback & reflection and don’t hijack the discussion. It was this kind of loving listening that worked so well for my Christlike friend. Disrespect increases resistance. The person we talk to needs to feel trusted, important & respected. They need to feel like they are free to be who they are with their own thoughts. Granted they don’t realize “their thoughts” were given to them. And granted, we want them to change–but the idea is not to force them, but for them to willingly want to change to our concepts. I can assure you that you can no more force a person than you can a sow. Try getting a 600 lb. sow to move–it isn’t happening if she doesn’t want to. I would take a bucket of corn & lead her to where I wanted her. The same principle applies to people. You simply can’t man haul their minds, they will simply get stubborn & resist you. If the person feels like he is being forced somewhere he will resist like a sow, and the battle is lost.

You have to prepare the ground to plant the seed. As with so much in life, preparation is important. If you have already established a master-apprentice, mentor-disciple, or teacher-student, or counselor-client relationship, then you may have a willing audience…but we are talking about communicating with those who are under the trance of the matrix. And these humans each have their own issues that create barriers to hearing you. When they don’t have all the facts, they fill in the gaps with wishful delusional thinking to see what they expect or want to see. Further, you may bump into a certain set of secretive persons who have a dark curtain hiding their own thoughts & hearts. They not only hate their own internal thoughts, but will automatically despise yours too. Bottom line–they are NOT open to any communication, so accept it & move on.

GREAT ILLUSIONS OF THE WORLD. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens to counsel is wise.”(C) As the Word says, the truth will set you free. The Word of God teaches us that this World is not “it”. There is a future reality with God even more real than this world of illusions. The Word of God was intended to pull us out of the World Matrix. “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.”(JN 8:36) So Christ said he was the way, the truth, & the life. It also describes him as light coming into a world of darkness.(D) So we need to remind ourselves that the Powers of Darkness are casting their spell on mankind. There is a power beyond them that keeps them in the Matrix. So besides diplomacy, we want the power of Christ’s spirit to touch people. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually mind is life and peace.”(E)

FINAL THOUGHT. I hope that this inspires you to dismantle the lies & fear of the Matrix “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God…”(F) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure…whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”(G) Be blessed my friend.

(A) JOEL 3:12 (B) ISA 56:10b-12 (C) PRV 12:15 (D) cf. JN 1 (E) ROM 8:6 (F) ACTS 26:18 (G) PHIL 4:8