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When helping someone, it’s crucial to identify the true target of change, which is always beneath the surface. Initially, you’ll see the individual’s life, actions, and words, but these are all rooted in the heart. When they present their situation, it’s essential to remember that the visible problem is secondary. As they describe their actions—what they are doing—you need to dig deeper into their thoughts, habits, and former ways of thinking.
These underlying thoughts and preconditioned habits lead to their actions and, ultimately, their situation. Beneath these actions lie their heart motivations and presuppositions—their starting point in interpreting situations and forming response habits. These motivations are their functional theology, influencing how they think about God, which, in turn, drives their actions.
To illustrate, consider these cases:
Our hearts can serve multiple idols, as John Calvin noted. By understanding the differences between presentation (actions), preconditioning (thought habits), and presupposition (heart motivations), we can better address the root issues. For more on targeting the heart, I recommend watching the full webinar at Life Over Coffee, where these concepts are detailed further.