A matrix is a mould in which a thing is cast or shaped, it is an environment or substance in which a thing is developed. It is the place where conception takes place - a womb. The Bible says of the womb in

Exod 34:19 All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. (KJV)

Within each person there is a place which lies deep within, a place of origin. The prophet uses that analogy in Hosea 13:13 when he says Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.(NIV)

The matrix is not a physical place. It is the place of interface between the natural and the spiritual, it is a place of connection. The preacher admonished in Eccl 12:6 Remember him-- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, (NIV)

It is a place where one's character is moulded, a place of conception, a place within which is the environment for development, the centre of being. Ps 44:21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? (NIV)

It is the seat of emotions. Prov 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (NIV)

In The Bible it is often referred to as the womb, the belly, the bowels or the heart. These words are sometimes used interchangeably in the Bible.

Isa 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (KJV)

Jesus spoke of conception taking place in the heart (figuratively), in Matt 13:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (NIV)

The nature of the fruit is dependent on the seed sown. Good seed usually bring forth healthy plants and fruit, bad seed unhealty ones. After seed is sown, there is conception Job 15:35 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit." (NIV)

Of course, after conception eventually there is birth. Matt 15:18-19 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.'

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (NIV)

Paul describes this type of birth, the visible manifestation of (the planting of) a certain kind of seed, as the "works of the flesh". In Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Remember, the nature of the fruit is dependent on the seed sown.

I John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. (NIV). Seed (Greek) - Sperma.

He then goes on to describe the fruit of this seed in Gal 5:22-23 he says But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

First a seed is planted, then there is conception, then gestation (growth and nurturance), then birth - the manifestation of the fruit. This is a natural law, a manifestation of a spiritual principle.

For a seed to be planted there must be effort or force. Force is applied to shape or mold, to bring forth conformity to a pattern. Social forces shape our value system. They sow seed into the matrix. They define our concepts. We conceive according to seed sown in the heart. Without nurturance however, the seed dies. There must be the correct environment for the seed to survive.

Matt 13:3-9 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

9 He who has ears, let him hear." (NIV)

However, though character is moulded and developed within, the factors which determine it all come from without. Environment and association determine character. It is shaped by the various social experiences we undergo in this life as we interact with each other.

Paul writes in 1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (NIV)

Greek homilia - companionship; ethos - manners (moral habits).

He shows a direct correlation between one's character and one's relationships. This concept gave birth to this old maxim "show me your friends and I will tell you who you are".

Now from birth we have been exposed to different sets of values as we interact with family, friends, associates and strangers. We have been exposed to family, community, institutional and general societal norms and values. All these have impacted on the development of the character matrix. At birth the child begins with a clean slate. Immediately it is bombarded with images, sounds and sensations. These begin the hammering out of the very pliant mould, shaping the matrix, which is the housing for the character. A child is an undeveloped person who is directly influenced by (i) Authority figures (ii) Peers. Authority figures, for example, parents, teachers, supply primary reinforcement of values in the early years because from the position of dependency, the child fulfils needs through these sources of sustenance and direction. As a result, they have direct influence over the primary values that are imparted to the child. These values are then reinforced by peers. Peer pressure can also introduce new values, which may or may not conflict with one's primary values. The degree of influence of peer pressure is dependent on the strength of one's primary values. As the child grows and interacts with various social and institutional structures, societal pressures impact upon the matrix forcing conformity to a set of values seen as acceptable. These dynamic influences determine what is seen and how it is seen. In other words, they determine the centre from which one operates. They determine one's character. Though children are more susceptible to the social forces acting upon them, most adults are also very susceptible to those forces. Pressure moulds character.

This is shown in Rom 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (NIV)

Our character is seen through our habits. Habits are repetitive actions that are learned. When an action is properly learned, it becomes so much a part of our being that it is manifested unconsciously. Habits may become so entrenched in our psyche, so much a part of us, that even when we become aware of them, even with a strong desire, it is extremely difficult to change.

Paul cried out in Rom 7:15-25 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

25 Thanks be to God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. (NIV)

Now before the action became firmly entrenched as a habit, it pre-existed in the thoughts of the heart (the subconcious). This is why it is said in Prov 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (KJV)

Social forces impart upon the matrix of the heart to determine the quality of thought that comes out. These forces also determine one's appetite and behaviour. These forces are very real, though most people are not aware of them. They exercise constant pressure even as air exercises a constant pressure of 14lbs/in2 on any surface. Air constantly presses on us at that pressure but most of us are totally unaware. In the same way social forces determine values by applying pressure on the matrix, both conciously and unconciously. For example, when a group pressures a member to do something that the person would not do without its influence.

In reference to the Law of Harvest, a wise man once wrote, "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character reap a destiny.

This is why the scriptures place self-control so highly in its list of virtues. The Word of God becomes null and void in the person who lacks temperance. Solomon writes in Prov 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. (NIV)

The Bible speaks of compassion as coming from the depths of being.

I King 3:26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. (KJV)

Paul, in describing the peculiar experience of compassionate pain, wrote in Gal 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, (NIV)

In the New Testament, the Greek word koilia - belly, womb is sometimes used to refer figuratively to the heart or the depths of being.

Jesus stated in John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (KJV)

In direct reference to character however, the Greek word splagchnon - bowels, intestines is more often used and refers figuratively to pity, sympathy, inward affection or tender mercy.

Col 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (KJV)

Note that 'kindness' is from the Greek chrestotes - moral excellence.

The book of Proverbs 9:1 says Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. (NIV)

Wisdom is described in James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (NIV)

Wisdom is the ability to perceive or determine what is good, true or sound. It is manifested through common sense or sound judgement. To be wise is to have that ability. The Bible uses the Hebrew word chakam which means wise, skillful, practical, mastery of the art of living in accordance with God's expectations. The Greek scriptures use the words sophia and phronesis. Note: "While sophia is the insight into the true nature of things, phronesis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results; while sophia is theoretical, phronesis is practical" (Lightfoot). Sunesis, "understanding, intelligence," is the critical faculty; this and phronesis are particular applications of sophia.

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

The seven pillars of wisdom are the seven basic components of character. These seven components come out the basic attributes that mould or shape character. They come out of the attributes of faith, hope, self-control, patience, diligence, steadfastness, kindness, humility, peace, joy and love. They are manifested as the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)

Through obedience and training, 1 Tim 4:7-8 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (NIV)

2 Pet 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Now obedience to God's training programme means that every effort is made (giving all diligence) in practising these attributes until they become inbred habits. The Bible commands us to be diligent, not slothful. Heb 6:10-12 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

In doing so, conformity to the model that God established is attained. God's purpose is fulfilled. These attributes impact upon the matrix altering and reshaping character. But the integrity of the matrix is dependent on love (agape). It is held together by love. Love completes or perfects character. Col 3:13,14 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (NIV)

1 Tim 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)

The Seven Pillars are the foundation upon which the Character Matrix is built. Love (agape) is the major binding ingredient holding the matrix together. Faith and Hope are also critical factors in the building of character. Paul writes in 1 Cor 13:1-13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Honour

Independence

Responsibility

Courage

Determination

Honesty

Integrity

To be responsible one has to be diligent, steadfast, patient and self controlled (faithful). It works with independence

Independence comes out of peace, joy, diligence, steadfastness, and self control. It works with determination.

To be respectable and honourable one has to be steadfast, humble, compassionate, forgiving, kind and gentle. It works with honesty.

Courage comes out of confidence built on faith, joy and peace. It works with determination. Courage makes you laugh in the face of danger. There is an absence of fear.

Determination is built on hope, joy, diligence, steadfastness, patience and self control. It works with courage. It gives vision.

Honesty (truthfulness) is the ability to make one's words conform to reality. Its accuracy is dependent on one's ability to accurately perceive reality. It is dependent on the integration of love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, kindness, compassion and godliness. It works with courage and integrity.

When there is integration of responsibility, independence, honour, respectability, courage, determination and honesty there is Integrity. Integrity comes from the Latin Integer -whole

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Male Development Programme

MICHAEL AUGUSTUS - Co-ordinator ANTROPOS 2000 PROJECT August 1999