Worldview Generalizations and Human Behavior

A worldview generalization is a cognitive perspective that guides people in understanding the nature and functioning of the world (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey 2017). “The accuracy of world view generalizations is dependent on the learning experiences that have shaped them” (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey 2017). In this sense, people can have faulty or harmful worldviews. When people challenge or realize how their worldview is influencing their behavior, they can begin to make positive changes. A worldview generalization can infiltrate and influence individual thoughts, outward behavior and eventually behavioral patterns. These internal thought processes; stand-alone decisions and behavioral patterns will then begin to shape our character and the overall wellness of our soul.

A mindset is defined as a mental attitude or inclination (Oxford Dictionary).The Bible makes a clear distinction between a worldly mindset and a holy one. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Healthy behavior comes from healthy thinking. Behavioral psychology is the study of the connection between our minds and our behavior. Behavioral psychology can work when it is applied correctly, because changing the mind is the first step to changing behavior. For Christians we understand this to be a biblical concept because in God’s Word He tells us in Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinkth so is he.” Therefore, Christians should be very intentional to match our mindsets to the mindset of Christ through a continual renewing of our mind.

So, what is the difference between a holy mindset and a worldly mindset? A holy mindset is one that is focused on God’s Word and His will for your life as well as the lives of others. To have a healthy mindset people have to begin by seeking out the will of God for their individual lives and situations. God created us and He knows what the best thing for us is to do in every situation. Reading the Bible and understanding what God tells us is the first step to understanding what God wants us to do. We can also tap into the Holy Spirit and let the Spirit guide us towards the truth. God wants to be a part of everything we do. He wants to be involved in our day to day and moment to moment decisions, thoughts, and actions. God is our mentor and our friend. He has created us with a purpose, and He wants us to understand that our identity or who we are is found from having a relationship with Him.

In contrast to a holy mindset, a worldly mindset is one that focuses on the “self.” Self-gratification and satisfaction are very important in a worldly mindset. People don’t consider what God thinks about their thoughts or decisions. Instead, they depend solely on their own beliefs, experiences, or wants for themselves. They dictate and determine what they should do or who they should become, and it doesn’t matter what the Bible or God says about it. Believing in oneself and one's own truth over God's truth, is directly rooted in pride. Today, there are many examples of this occurring within mainstream society. One way in which it is evidenced is in American politics.

The Democratic Party in America have embraced and pushed selfishness and evil desires and beliefs as a normative way of life. They promote this way of thinking believing it is good for humanity personally and socially. Yet, when people only seek their individual desires, they harm other people as well as themselves. A few examples of this can be seen in the large numbers of abortion, divorce/hook up culture, and corruption due to greed. A lifestyle of sin and selfishness will never lead humanity into greatness, because it always leads people away from God's perfect design. Our heavenly Father created us to thrive and prosper. He wants us to have a good life, but if we refuse to listen or heed His instructions, we never will.

Having a victim mentality comes from a hyperactive view of self where people highly focus on identity politics. Identity politics is rooted in the concepts of "defining who I am by certain characteristics." Of course, we should all recognize and identify who we are as people, but we should never overly emphasize race, gender, socioeconomic status or other characteristics to where we become obsessed with these classifications. The majority of people with the victim mentality today, focus entirely too much on who they "are", and they use these classifications to determine what they feel they "deserve to get from others."

“While a victim mentality is not a recognized diagnosable condition, it is a commonly accepted term and has some other alternate names such as victim syndrome and victim complex" (Orloff). People who have a victim mindset often hold three main beliefs. The first is that others are to blame for their misfortune in life. Secondly bad things have happened in the past and so they will continue to happen. Thirdly, they believe there is no point in trying to make a change because it will not work. These beliefs are inherently unhealthy, and they can cause harm individuals as well as society. If you allow fear, pain, or any other negative emotion to control the way you view the world you will often chose to not take responsibility for your life and in turn will place false blame on others. This damages the self and interpersonal relationships, it hinders connection with others, proper decision making, and it creates excuses instead of action.

For the sake of our mental, physical, and spiritual health we have to shift our thinking from a self-seeking, negative victim mentality and believe the love and the promises of God. We need to understand who we are in Christ matters more than any other classification. People who are linked to Christ and obey God's commands will always prosper over the unbelievers. We don't need to worry about who has wronged us, hurt us, and mistreated us. As we stand up for ourselves, and others we should never stay focused on the people who have wronged us because doing so would allow them to control us and this is unhealthy. Proverbs 4:25 teaches us, "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." It isn't wrong to assert yourself, stand up for justice and truth, but it is wrong to become hateful, bitter, and disobedient to God out of an attempt to avenge yourself. Adopting a Holy mindset will help to create a healthy and happy life. As we stay focused on God, we will be given a better future, and no person or system can stop us from prospering. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Personal Testimony

At one point of my life, I was filled with despair, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and many other negative emotions. These negative emotions eventually began to shape the way that I viewed the world around me. I thought the world was against me. I didn’t trust anyone, and I began to participate in other unhealthy behaviors and coping mechanisms as a result of the abandonment and abuse I had experienced in my childhood. These faulty worldviews directly influenced my mistrust towards others as well as God. Around the same time, I began a college education experience, and I began learning liberal teachings from VCU. I was primarily interested in Women and Gender Studies, because I felt as a woman I had been wronged, and I was focused on fixing the wrongs myself. I began to hate others even more intensely because I blamed them for my issues. It wasn’t until I began to trust God with my life, and I learned more about the Bible and my identity in Christ did I begin to heal and prosper in various areas of my life.

God will help us. He will heal us. We don't need to fight our own battles alone. We only need to be still!

Corresponding Bible Verses:

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Lamentations 3:21-23 “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Romans 12:19 Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

References:

Niles, S. G., & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. (2017). Career development interventions in the 21st

century. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Orloff J. Strategies to Deal with a Victim Mentality.