“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.’ Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.”
John 11:49–52
Many different factors influence our actions. In psychology, there is a concept known as Maslow’s Hierarchy, which was the result of an attempt to categories these influences. Abraham Maslow proposed what is now called “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” in the early 1940s, asserting that human motivation stems from a hierarchy of five fundamental categories: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization.
In effect, our actions are motivated by the five fundamental categories in this hierarchy. Once the basic physiological needs of air, food, and water are satisfied—which in the lives of most of us are easily met—we move on to the next step in the hierarchy: the need for safety, such as personal security, employment, health, and property. Then comes love and belonging. Once those needs are met, we move on to concerns such as self-esteem, status, respect, and freedom. At the top of the hierarchy is self-actualization—the desire to reach one’s fullest potential.
Note that in this pyramid of basic human needs, Maslow does not mention developing a Christ-like character based on biblical principles. While intellectually this proposal may seem logical in worldly terms, it is seriously lacking in spiritual terms. Thus, this, like a lot of psychological theories, is a contrived invention of the corrupt human mind and not the result of the promptings of an all-wise Creator.
While psychology suggests that our life decisions are based on meeting our basic physical and mental needs, the Bible and inspired writings tell us that life decisions should be based on the principles clearly laid out in God’s word—the books of Proverbs and Psalms being excellent sources, in addition to the revelation of events in the lives of the patriarchs of God’s children, beginning with Adam himself and continuing through the record of Paul’s work given us in his epistles and larger works.
Augmenting the biblical record is the vast body of work of Ellen G. White. A study of these two sources would not only produce a well-rounded Christian character, but would also ensure a safe passage across the Jordan into the kingdom of eternal bliss and happiness.
Ultimately, what this comes down to today is whether we base our decisions on divine principles or worldly policy. Inspiration has much to say about both principle and policy.
Policy can be defined as a set of ideas or a plan of action for particular situations that has been agreed upon by a group of people. Thus, in one sense, Maslow’s Hierarchy is a policy for the conduct of daily life. However, it is completely lacking in Christian principles.
“The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification. It is Satan’s policy to manufacture an abundance of this.” The Adventist Home, 521. “This” means pleasure and self-gratification—the top element in Maslow’s hierarchy, which might be considered an attempt by Satan to counterfeit Peter’s ladder.
Inspiration provides an interesting example that illustrates a decision based on principle versus policy.
“In the joy of his new discipleship, Matthew longed to bring his former associates to Jesus. Accordingly, he made a feast at his own house, and called together his relatives and friends. …
“The entertainment was given in honor of Jesus, and He did not hesitate to accept the courtesy. He well knew that this would give offense to the Pharisaic party, and would also compromise Him in the eyes of the people. But no question of policy could influence His movements. With Him external distinctions weighed nothing. That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the water of life.” The Desire of Ages, 273, 274
In other words, Christ’s decision to attend the feast at Matthew’s home was based entirely on principle and not on policy.
Inspiration often uses the word policy, whereas we would use the word politics. Thus, when reading Inspiration and encountering the word policy, it is usually helpful to mentally substitute it with politics. Although that substitution doesn’t always work to clarify the passage, it often does. Like many words, the complete understanding depends on the context.
Back to our subject of policy versus principle in contrast with the high principles that influenced Christ’s life. We have this statement concerning the basis for the actions of the Jewish leaders in their deliberations about Jesus’ attendance at Matthew’s feast:
“When the rabbis learned of the presence of Jesus at Matthew’s feast, they seized the opportunity of accusing Him. But they chose to work through the disciples. By arousing their prejudices, they hoped to alienate them from their Master. It was their policy [their plan about what to do in this particular situation] to accuse Christ to the disciples, and the disciples to Christ, aiming their arrows where they would be most likely to wound. This is the way in which Satan has worked ever since the disaffection in heaven; and all who try to cause discord and alienation are actuated by his spirit.” Ibid., 275
The distinction between actions guided by policy versus principle is clearly expressed in Inspiration.
“Worldly policy and the undeviating principles of righteousness do not blend into each other imperceptibly, like the colors of the rainbow. Between the two, a broad, clear line is drawn by the eternal God. The likeness of Christ stands out as distinct from that of Satan as midday in contrast with midnight. And only those who live the life of Christ are His co-workers. If one sin is cherished in the soul, or one wrong practice is retained in the life, the whole being is contaminated. The man becomes an instrument of unrighteousness.” Ibid., 313
That’s a pretty scary thought. If our actions are based on worldly policy rather than on the undeviating principles of righteousness, we become instruments of unrighteousness.
The value of basing our decisions on principles versus policies depends on the principles we use as the basis for our decisions.
In determining the fate of Christ, the Jewish leaders based their decision on principle, just not the right one.
“In declaring that one man should die for the nation, Caiaphas indicated that he had some knowledge of the prophecies, although it was very limited. But John, in his account of this scene [this scene in which the Jewish leaders are plotting the death of Christ], takes up the prophecy, and shows its broad and deep significance. He says, ‘And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.’ How blindly did the haughty Caiaphas acknowledge the Saviour’s mission!
“On the lips of Caiaphas this most precious truth [that one man should die for the nation] was turned into a lie. The policy he advocated was based on a principle borrowed from heathenism. Among the heathen, the dim consciousness that one was to die for the human race had led to the offering of human sacrifices. So Caiaphas proposed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save the guilty nation, not from transgression, but in transgression, that they might continue in sin. And by his reasoning he thought to silence the remonstrances of those who might dare to say that as yet nothing worthy of death had been found in Jesus.” Ibid., 540
Thus, we have seen that the foundation on which we base life’s decisions should not be policy or politics but rather principles. And even then, the principles we use have to be the right ones.
May the Holy Spirit give us the guidance we need to make decisions based on righteous principles, decisions that will be approved in the courts of heaven.
John R. Pearson is the office manager and Steps to Life board member. He can be reached by email at johnpearson@stepstolife.org or by phone at 316-788-5559.