Proverbs
8:12-14 I,
wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of
the Lord is hatred of evil… I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I
have strength.
Many Christian counselors
believe that counseling belongs to the work of the church. Scripture depicts
the spiritually lost, the sinners, demon possessed, adulterous, the mentally
disturbed and the lame coming to Christ Jesus for healing. Since then, people
have brought these same human conditions and needs to the pastors and priests
for healing. “I believe counseling belongs in the church and that psychologists
and psychiatrists should play the role of assistants to the Body of Christ in
healing emotional disorders.” (pg. 19, Telling
The Truth To Troubled People)
The major premise of Christian counseling is that
truth makes people free when they believe and obey it. Jesus says: “If you abide in my word…and you will know
the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Jesus shows us that the work of counseling is
to replace false beliefs with the truths of Scripture. The Word of God is the
basis for all counseling.
The work of counseling is to help the other person become
better able to know, think, and embody the truth in their lives. Then they can
attain real and lasting freedom from the results of false beliefs and behaviors
that are neurotic and harmful to them.
“The Scriptures teach that we don’t have to be
content with relative notions about truth. We can actually know ultimate truth
about reality. In fact, we can even have a personal relationship with God
himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we
believe this, the Spirit of truth literally teaches us the truth through the
Word of God. When a person come to believe the truth and actively cognizes it
(uses it to live by), that person will experience emotional and behavioral
consequences which are truly positive and healthful.” (pg. 20, Telling The Truth To
Troubled People)
