Locus of Control

S (Scripture)
(John 7:17, 18) If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether [Jesus' teachings are] from God ... the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him is no falsehood.

O (Observation--Biblical)
Here, Jesus gives humanity tools for discerning the validity of His amazing claims. These tools also help us recognize both truth and honest people--authenticity (see Acts 17:24-28). He teaches that people who promote themselves instead of God are filled with falsehood. In contrast, those who induce people to love and obey God are filled with truth. How does one recognize Truth? The more one reveals Jesus, the more one reveals Truth (see John 14:6,7).

O (Observation--Psychological)
J.B. Rotter (1966) developed the concept of Locus of Control: a person's generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. C. Hoffine, who works with batterer interventions, warns of people who manipulate power and control to compel others to satisfy their expectations--internal loci of contro. Conversely, N. Groom, who works with addictive interventions, warns of co-dependency--external loci of control. This Scripture shows a third locus of cotrol: submission to God's will guards against either extreme.

A (Observation--Biblical)
This information teaches me how to structure my life and my thoughts. First, I resolve to be a person who resolves to do God's will, wherever that leads me. Second, I resolve to be a person who seeks God's glory and revelation in any circumstance, regardless of how Fear or Doubt or Greed might argue. Third, I resolve to delight in Your introductions and revelations: You not only love revealing Your love, You also let us share the joy of helping people discover You.

A (Observation--Psychological)
The following intervention might help people who struggle with boundaries and shame. It involves processing a matrix-style worksheet. (I've not created it yet).

• The 3 columns identify one's resolutions (what one wills to do): Self-Serving (internal locus of control), Other-Serving (external locus of control), Christ-Serving (God locus of submission).


• The 6 rows identify expected results from these resolutions: Internal Approval, Internal Disapproval, External Approval, External Disapproval, God Approval, God Disapproval.

The intervention is to write expected feelings that result in each cell (a list of emotions might be helpful for clients). This might profoundly encourage people to trust or learn more about God, or it might explain a person's resistance to trusting God.

P (Prayer)
Lord, its hard to not be a self-promoter or self-server. Just as it's also hard to not be a slave to others' disapproval or approval. The only thing that gives me perspective enough to abandon those sins is to love and trust You. I know you--You are truly trustworthy.