WHY SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM?

Perceptual set is a Gestalt psychological theory which states that when information from a specific field is presented to you, you become conditioned to take on the lens of that field which causes you to filter personal experience from within that field. Perceptual set forms the tendency, through a previously received set of information, which isolates vision to its specific perceptual field while ignoring others. Put another way, perceptual set forms correlates of consciousness with the field presented through the perceptual set. A mutual relationship forming connectivity between your conscious precept and what lies in the perceptual set emerges. For example, if I want you to perceive within the field of psychology I will prepare you a perceptual set by placing you in an environment where you are provided enough stimuli within the field of psychology to begin forming a connection to that field. This gives way to seeing into the field of psychology. Another example is as follows: suppose I draw an outline of a horse using fragmented dots instead of lines. I ask you to identify the horse and you are unable. Before I present you the outline of the horse a second time, I show you a series of 6 pictures within the animal kingdom: a buffalo, cow, zebra, lion, dog and giraffe. By providing you with information within the animal kingdom, I am effectively creating a perceptual set. I am “setting you up” in such a way that you become more likely to see the horse. I am creating a space where there is a higher probability you will see the horse. I am setting up a field within your perceptual capacity that provides a higher probability that field of view will become emergent. The longer the duration of perceptual set, the clearer the vision of the horse is likely to be.
Perceptual set is what leaders, systems and governments use to conform and condition you into their likeness. Perceptual set is a sort of corralling tool, a Shepard’s rod used to steer and direct you into the sheep’s pen of perceptual states. “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice {teaching}”-Jesus. If the “sheep’s pen” is His Kingdom, what might be Jesus’ perceptual set? What might be His rod which directs us into this place of safety, security, provision and the abundant life? I propose it’s what Jesus declared to be humanities most important activity, seeking first the Kingdom.