Out of the Box, Into Zion: Becoming Spiritual Israel Through a Principle-Centered Life
When we choose to live “out of the box,” as described in Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute, we are essentially stepping out of a distorted way of seeing others and ourselves. This distortion—marked by blame, pride, justification, and ego—mirrors the false paradigms Stephen Covey describes in his writings on life-centered living. When we live “in the box,” or from a life-centered paradigm (centering our identity around work, family, friends, possessions, or pleasure), we are not living from principles but from unstable, ego-driven identities.
The Root of the Problem: Idolatry and Misaligned Paradigms
Avraham Gileadi, in his analysis of scripture and prophecy, particularly in The Last Days: Types and Shadows, describes how the Lord’s people historically fall into cycles of apostasy due to idolatry—not just worshiping false gods but putting anything in place of God. This is what life-centered paradigms are at their core: modern idolatry. Whether it’s money, relationships, status, pleasure, or self-image—any center that displaces God fractures our spiritual vision and binds us to the world.
Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden, humanity continues to drift away from divine connection when we base our lives on these counterfeit centers. Even after Christ’s earthly ministry, many quickly returned to distorted systems of worship, authority, and self-reliance.
The Solution: Principle-Centered Living Rooted in Christ
Jesus Christ didn’t just teach about morality—He embodied the principles of eternal truth: love, humility, service, integrity, and obedience to God. To be principle-centered is to align our hearts, actions, and thoughts with God’s will, not just human values. This alignment pulls us out of the box of ego and deception and into a life of clarity and purpose.
Covey taught that the only reliable, lasting foundation for life is living by true principles—timeless, universal truths that don’t change with circumstances. The Apostle Paul called this “walking by the Spirit,” which bears the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Spiritual Israel: A Covenant People, Not a Political Nation
In scripture, “Israel” means “one who wrestles with God” and prevails—not through force but through surrender, faith, and alignment. Becoming Spiritual Israel doesn’t mean belonging to a geopolitical nation—it means being part of a people who have turned their hearts to God. In Romans 9:6-8, Paul makes this clear:
“For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel… it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.”
To be Spiritual Israel is to live a principle-centered life governed by covenantal relationship with God, not mere religious observance. It is to walk in faith and obedience, reflecting God’s light in a world of darkness.
Building Zion: The Fruit of Spiritual Centering
Zion, biblically and spiritually, is not just a place—it’s a people who are “of one heart and one mind, and dwell in righteousness, and there is no poor among them” (Moses 7:18). Zion is built when individuals and communities:
- Turn from idolatry and false centers
- Embrace the teachings and example of Jesus Christ
- Live by the fruit of the Spirit and divine principles
- Choose unity, humility, and love over division and pride
Zion is the natural outcome of a people living out of the box. It’s the earthly expression of a heaven-centered life, and it cannot be forced into existence by institutions or traditions alone—it must be lived into reality by those transformed from the inside out.
