THE BIBLICAL ALTERNATIVE
It should be obvious by this point that we believe that secular
psychology and biblical Christianity are totally incompatible. At the same time we want to clearly state that we are not against counseling that is in alignment with the Scriptures. The Bible is full of instruction concerning counseling, advising. admonishing, warning, rebuking, etc. (see Romans 15:14. Psalm 1; the book of Proverbs for example). However, we find that counseling is not to be left to the professionals but is simply part of the life of the body of Christ. We do not doubt that some have greater gifts, experience, and knowledge in this area than others, but tremendous counsel can be given by any believer that knows their Bible. It might be helpful to point out some of the characteristics of true biblical counseling:
- Biblical counseling teaches that truth emerges from the Bible. Integrationists claim that they do not contradict the Bible, but we do not believe that is enough. Instead, all truth concerning ''life and godliness'' must emerge from the Word.
- Biblical counseling teaches that our standard for thinking and behaving is found in the Scriptures.
- Biblical counseling uses the principles found in the
- Word of God coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about change in thinking and behaviour.
- Biblical counseling teaches that the primary purpose of people is to glorify God with their lives. The goal of biblical counseling is not primarily to remove the trial, but to be God's kind of person, i.e. to help us become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28, 29). Biblical counseling has the same goal as biblical preaching and teaching: to glorify God, evangelize the lost, and disciple believers.
HOW WE CHANGE AND GROW
The need for change and growth: The characteristics of spiritual immaturity are found in such passages as Galatians
5:19-21, Colossians. 3:5, 8, 9 and 2 Timothy 3:2-7. God tells us in these and other Scriptures that we should expect people not living God's way to be unstable and easily deceived, guilty,
selfish, divisive people who love wrong things, gossips, lack self-control, angry at life, liars and deceivers, etc. However, to
live this way will result in a host of what many call today emotional and psychological problems. If people are enslaved to such sins why should it surprise us that they feel unloved,
paranoid, anxious, burnt-out, hatred, depressed, nervous and so forth.
The problems that people face today are real, and the psychological world often recognizes this fact. However, based on a faulty anthropology, psychologists will never discover the true source of people's problems. Therefore, they cannot offer genuine, lasting help. If you recall, psychology teaches that man is basically good or at least neutral. In addition, it teaches that people have the answer to their problems deep within themselves and it is the psychologist's job to help them discover those answers. Also, most psychologists believe that there is only one real value, and that is that there exists no values. Therefore, psychologists do not press upon their patients any values or objective truths. It is easy to discern then, that the foundation stones of all modern psychology
contradict the Scriptures which teach that:
Mankind is lost, morally depraved, basically evil sinners
who neither desire nor seek life or righteousness
(Ephesians 2).
Our hearts (intellect, emotion, will) are distorted and corrupt. The only answers deep within us are those that will deceive and disappoint us (Jeremiah 17:9).
God has given us eternal, objective values in Scripture that are to rule and govern our lives. To reject these values not only results in eternal consequences, but in the types of problems for which people are seeking therapy.
If we are to handle the problems that we face in a way that pleases God, we must grow spiritually (2 Peter 1:5-8., James 1:2-5) through obedience to the Word of God, (Colossians 3:16., Acts 20:32., 2 Timothy 3:16,17) as we allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives (Galatians
5:16, 22-25). (Also see Hebrews 5:12-14.)
FAULTY VIEWS OF SANCTIFICATION
The confusion caused by secular psychology aside, another major problem for the Christian is a wrong doctrine of growth. The classic example is Wesleyan Perfectionism, originating with John Wesley and taught by many branches of Christianity.
Wesley taught that the sin nature may be eradicated at a crisis experience with the result that we can reach sinless perfection in this life. At that point through an all-surrendering act of faith, we will cease our struggles with sin, with living for God, etc. In the 1800's Charles Finney and the Keswick movement's ''Let go and let God,‖ as well as the Methodist preachers, would popularize this view of Christian growth. However, the New Testament does not teach any form of instant maturity. We are sure that the Apostle Paul would be very surprised to discover that entire sanctification (or anything close to it) was possible
in this life in light of his testimony in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Unfortunately, many who would reject this Wesleyan doctrine
have been greatly influenced by it. Christians everywhere are looking for an experience that will make the Christian life easy
or bring them to perfection. In the Fundamentalist and evangelical circles we call this a ''rededication‖ or ''total
commitment‖ with the implication that once-and-for-all we can turn our lives over to God and never waver again. Yet, Jesus tells us that there is a constant choice (Luke 9:23), and Paul says we will always be in a battle (Ephesians 6:10-18). Many
of us do not want to do the hard work necessary for
growth; we would rather be given supernatural power in the form of an instantaneous endowment that would immediately change us. We find ourselves doing the same thing when it comes to decision-making. How much easier it would be to do what we ''feel the Spirit'' wants us to do, rather than endure the hard work of Bible study and the application of scriptural principles.
If we are to deal with the problems and opportunities of life God's way, we must change and grow. In order to change and grow, we must understand that the Bible does not teach instant maturity. It does not teach that there is a ―second blessing'' whereby we become holy or spiritual. So what does the Bible say about change and growth?
The New Testament teaches that there are five parts to biblical sanctification:
1. The activity of the Godhead. The Father (John 15:1-
2); the Son (John 15:4, 5); the Spirit (11 Corinthians
3:18). Systems that ignore God, may produce outward change, but not spiritual maturity. Self-help groups such as AA are an example.
2. The activity of man. There are no commands in
Scripture addressed to the Holy Spirit in regards to our spiritual growth, but notice this sampling of commands
given to the believer: 2 Corinthians 7: 1; Ephesians 4:
1; 4:22-24; 1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1
Corinthians 9:24-27.
3. The Word of God. Change in our behaviour or
feelings must begin in our thinking. Therefore it is imperative that our minds be renewed (Romans 12:1,
2; Ephesians 4:23). This renewal can only take place through the Word of God (Hebrews 5:11-14). A true
renewal in our thinking will lead to changed behaviour and feelings (Philippians 4:8, 9; Ephesians 4:22-24). Any systems that leave out the Word of God leave us
at the mercy of our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9) which will lead us astray (Proverbs 14:12).
4. Time - it is a gradual process. Many long for instant change, but growth takes time (Hebrews 5:1 1-14).
5. Effort is required by the believer. This balances the
activity of God on our behalf. That God is actively involved in our growth is true, but that the believer must be actively involved is just as true. This balance is perfectly taught in Philippians 2:12, 13. Other passages include: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - ''race,'' ''self-control'' and ''buffet''; Ephesians 6:10-12 - ''be strong,‖ ''put on,‖
''struggle,'' ―take up‖ and ―stand firm;‖ and 2 Timothy
4:6,7 – ―fight'' and ''course.'' (Adapted from The
Doctrine of Spiritual Growth by William W. Goode.)
A good study would be of the first eleven verses of 2 Peter. In verses 1-4, we find the activity of the Godhead granting us everything we need for salvation and godly living. God's activity is followed by teaching concerning the appropriation of God's gifts by the believer (verses 5-7). That this is possible only through the knowledge of Christ as found in the Word is emphasized in verse three. However, growth will take time, and Peter teaches this truth in verse eight when he speaks of Christian qualities increasing. Still, all of this requires effort, and so we are told to be ''diligent'' (verses 5, 10) about our growth towards maturity.
THE GROWTH PROCESS
The New Testament teaches that there are several basic things that a believer must understand in order to grow in
godliness.
We must first understand that we are a new creature in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-6; Romans 6:11).
Next, we must understand the nature of temptation. Temptation comes from the world, the flesh and the devil (James 1:13-15; 1 John 2:15, 16; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13,14).
A believer can, however, overcome temptation by God's strength (Matthew 4:2-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13), through the proper use of God's Word (Matthew 4:2-11; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
We must then understand that God's purpose for our lives is to glorify and please Him as He works to conform us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 8:28,29).
When we understand this, it will enable us to set proper priorities. Last of all, we must comprehend that God expects obedience. This obedience is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16; John 15:7, 8; Philippians 4:13), as we present our bodies to God for His will to be done (Romans 12:1, 2) Romans 6:12, 13) and learn the ''put-off put-on, renewal of your mind'' principle, as found in Ephesians 4:22-24.
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