Why Biblical Counseling?
Biblical Counseling is a Must
The world is grasping for answers to many questions. There are two big questions. “Why do I exist?” and “How should I live?” How the world answers the first question directly affects the answer to the second question. The world desires to live in ways that satisfy their desires, that make them feel happy. When they are happy, it is easy to bear good fruit and they judge their hearts according to that easily produced fruit. All seems well, but the truth comes out when they don’t get what they want. They produce ugly fruit (James 4:1-3), the true condition of their hearts, self exaltation.
The world is blinded by desire. They do not want to submit to God, or anything or anyone, unless that thing or person holds promise to satisfy that desire. Metaphorically, they are little gods sitting on their thrones, observing the people around them (even God) bringing gifts to lay at their feet. They look down and determine if the gifts are good enough. They sort the gifts and people, in their lives into “keep” and “discard” piles. They love and care for themselves so much that they struggle to actually love God at all. Therefore, they struggle to really love others. Their hearts are sick (Jer. 17:9).
They are fallen, carried about by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14), trusting in their own understanding (Prov. 3:5). Each new secular theory offers hope to satisfy their desire, but each one is eventually replaced by another theory that leaves them more and more obsessed with getting what they want. They seek truth within themselves, but do not find it, because there is no unchanging truth in the world, and they do not have the answers within themselves (Mark 7:20-21).
Why Biblical Counseling in the Church
Why do we need biblical counseling in the church? The latest winds of doctrines are competing for souls and they eliminate acknowledgment of sin, the need for forgiveness, and dependence on God and now they infiltrate the church! It is not really surprising to find this in the world, but the church should not look like the world. We, the people of the church, now often seek to solve problems the same way the world does, with every wind of doctrine.
We have special revelation. We know, as Christians, that there are consequences when we are self-ruled (Prov. 13:15). We know that we are responsible for our actions, thinking and beliefs (Prov. 4:23-27). We know that only the Bible can define truth (John 17:17), explain the root of problems (Jer. 17:9) and give a purpose for change (1 Cor. 6:20). But, we often misinterpret scripture or remove it from context entirely (Deut. 4:2) and can’t stop staring at what the world has to offer. We forget God too often. We are unfaithful and unsatisfied with what God gives us (1 John 2:16), not willing to lay down our lives or pick up our cross or don’t know what it means. We are not willing to suffer, because we don’t focus on bringing God glory. We shortcut seeking the kingdom (Matt. 6:33). We have come a long way from the Puritans living in community with scripture as a focus (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and practicing doing good to one another (1 Thes. 5:14). It’s as if, even inside the church, we live in Vanity Fair of Pilgrim's Progress. But, if we believe that all scripture is breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17) then the goal is to be equipped to the maturity and perfection Jesus Christ. Something is missing. Do we “believers” in the pews understand first the gospel, or second what sanctification is, let alone that sanctification should be a lifestyle or how to practically make it a lifestyle?
We should be practicing discipleship in a spiritual community. Biblical counseling is discipleship. In community we need to be training and restoring each other in humility so that we produce the fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-24). Only our maker can rightly help us understand our hearts motivations so that we can grow in sanctification (Ps. 139:14-16, 23-24). Therefore, we must be biblical in our counseling. The Bible claims authority of truth and if we believe it is inspired, inerrant, and sufficient (2 Tim. 3:16-17) then our counseling must emerge from the Word. There is no other way to get to the heart of the issue. The Word gives us a better understanding of pride, people (ourselves), sin and repentance; not just problem (idol) hunts that are merely just the symptom. We need to look like and depend on Jesus.