We are a Covenant Marriage Movement Sponsor
Man’s Search
Most people agree with the statement found in Job 5:7 which says, “For man is born for trouble as the sparks fly upward.” For centuries, mankind has been searching for explanations and solutions to the complex problems of living in a fallen world.
Man’s search for ways to explain and to “cope” with his problems has produced many interesting and often conflicting theories such as:
 | Man is basically good and is able to live up to this potential. |
| Man has been victimized by his conscience, leaving him insecure and in need of re-socialization. |
| Man is just a high-level animal who has been conditioned by his environment and needs to be reprogrammed. |
| Man’s basic problem is a lack of self-esteem and an inability to love. |
These are only a few of the most popular theories being used in the counseling field today. All of these theories are predictably contrary to God’s Word, since they have been devised by man operating outside the divine revelation of God (I Corinthians 2:14). God’s Word tells us not to be taken captive by these teachings (Colossians 2:8).
The Word of God is clear that many people have forsaken the living water of the Word and have tried to come up with their own explanation as to why people are the way they are (Jeremiah 2:13). When we read the words of Jeremiah 8:1-22 it is clear that the only solution to the problems of life is a whole-hearted return to the Lord God. There must be an all consuming passion for the Lord. We must love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Depending On The Bible
Is it necessary to turn to these secular counseling theories and techniques to solve problems of living? Isn’t it possible that understanding and overcoming life’s problems can be accomplished by applying biblical truths?
The Bible itself states that the truths contained within it are entirely sufficient to enable a person to live a life pleasing to God. (II Peter 1:3,4). It provides all the needed principles and guidance for understanding our mental processes, analyzing our emotional responses, and exercising control over our behavior. The laws, testimonies, precepts, commandments, judgments, and principles in the Old and New Testaments provide the only authoritative guide for man’s thoughts, words, and actions. (Psalm 19:7-14; Hebrews 4:12).
The promises and authority of God contained in His Word offers the basis for a vital and abundant life. The Scripture contains the solution to every problem of attitude, relationship, communication, conduct, and behavior (II Timothy 3:16,17; II Corinthians 10:3-5).
Developing Biblical Habits
Biblical principles can be applied in a systematic manner to overcome any problem of life and are not a mixture of man-contrived theories sprinkled with a few Bible verses unrelated to problem solving. Instead, these biblical principles provide the essential foundation for any person to change his unbiblical patterns of living and establish new habits of biblical behavior. These biblical principles are living, active and sharper than a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
In counseling that is true to God’s Word, a biblical counselor will collect enough information to enable him to recognize and understand the problem as seen in Scripture in order to formulate the biblical solution. Counselees are encouraged to confront the failures and shortcomings of their personal lives from a biblical point of view (Matthew 7:1-5). In doing this, they should begin to see the necessity of turning their focus away from their own desires (II Corinthians 5:14,15; Galatians 2:20, 5:17,19-20; James 4:1-3) and should determine to live in a manner pleasing to God (II Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 1:10-12).
In order for biblical counseling to be effective, the counselor must continually bring the focus of the counselee back to the Lord Jesus. The goal of each session is to help the counselee develop the mind of Christ. Their belief system will be continually evaluated to determine where it does not align with the Word of God. The biblical counselor should be identifying wrong beliefs that have led the counselee to unholy or unhealthy responses. As these mis-beliefs are identified, they are exposed to the Truth (God’s Word) and the counselee is encouraged to replace the wrong belief with the mind of Christ and thus experience holy or healthy responses. They are to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit will be the natural result of walking in the Spirit. The biblical counselor will understand that a true knowledge of God and our identity in Christ are the greatest determinants of our mental health. They will also understand that a false concept of God, a distorted understanding of who we are as children of God, and the misplaced deification of Satan (attributing God’s attributes to Satan) are the greatest contributors to mental illness. Therefore, leading a person to understanding their identification in Christ Jesus is necessary.
Constant Application of Biblical Principles
Even if the counselee has little or no concept of a biblical relationship with God and a limited knowledge of what is meant by a sincere commitment to Christ, biblical counseling can be extremely effective. As the biblical counselor continually focuses the counselee’s attention on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture and explores the counselee’s problems from a biblical standpoint, the necessity for a wholehearted commitment to Christ will be repeatedly presented.
As the counselee begins to view his problems from a biblical standpoint, he will understand that the peace and joy promised by God does not depend on his financial situation, his work environment, the behavior of his spouse or children, or on any other external circumstance. A discouraged or despondent counselee can gain hope as he learns from Scripture that God’s peace and joy can be his as he depends solely on his relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ (John 14:27; 16:33).
Presuppositions of Biblical Counseling
In His Word, God has given us everything we need to live in a manner
that pleases Him (II Peter 1:3-4). We must not integrate man’s theories with biblical truth in order to solve our problems and live a victorious life. As a matter of fact, Scripture promises us that when we seek to place God’s Word on a level with man’s thinking, serious consequences occur (Proverbs 1:22-32; 14:12; 30:5,6; Romans 8:6-8; I Corinthians 3:19-20).Biblical counseling is based upon the biblical teaching that we will each give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12; II Corinthians 5:10). Even though believers in Christ will not be condemned by their sins in eternity (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 9:27,28; 10:10-18) as non-believers will be (Revelation 20:15), there are consequences for sins (Ezekiel 18:20, Colossians 3:25). Counselees are shown that they are responsible before God solely for their own thoughts, words and actions and that they are not responsible for changing anyone else’s life.
In learning to assume responsibility for one’s own behavior, a counselee needs to understand the conflict between the flesh and his new identification in Christ Jesus (Romans, chapter 6; II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-23). A counselee must determine to lay aside his old way of life with its lusts and deception and begin to believe and think in a way that reflects the new Christ-like nature God has given him (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-17). A counselee must develop godly thought patterns (II Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8) if he is to have a renewed mind and be successful in living a life that corresponds to the new nature which is created by God in holiness of the truth (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24).
Any changes that a counselee makes must be done in order to please God and not to gratify himself or to please his parents, spouse, or anyone else (II Corinthians 5:9,15; Colossians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:4,6). This requires a commitment to obey God’s Word and not to depend on or be ruled by feelings, regardless of how strong or persuasive they may be (II Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 5:16-17). When there are strong feelings which are upsetting him, he must go back to his basic belief system to see what is wrong in the belief that led to the upset emotions or thoughts.