Titus 2 Men And Women

Principals Of Christian Counseling Part 2
What Christian Counseling is Not
Danette Tucker

In light of the truth of what Christian counseling is, as discussed in Part 1, there is by default something that Christian counseling is not --- but which we see practiced in the name of Christian counseling in the church.

There is somewhat of a running debate regarding the role of psychology in Christian counseling.  I believe the reason this debate is even considered seriously is because the church has abandoned it’s role in communicating the whole message of Christ, leaving hurting people without real hope or answers.  And the reason this practice is not considered alarming is because people in the church, even the leadership, are not grounded in the truth enough to see its danger.

II Pet. 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue..."  This verse literally means what it says.  All the answers we need for life and for godliness come from relationship with God.  That means every single answer.  There are no answers offered by psychology that are missing in relationship with God.  Therefore, psychology has nothing to offer believers who are willing to seek God for answers.

Even further, however, there is a fundamental danger in psychology, no matter what kind of acceptable face you try to put on it.  Let’s take a deeper look.

Psychology = the science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul.   (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary)

The science of psychology was developed by men as a way to explain and evaluate "the human soul" without the knowledge of, or necessity for, God.  This is no less than what the Word describes in Rom. 1:18-32.  And the Word indicates that when men seek to be wise in their own wisdom without acknowledging God the fruit is completely opposite from healing.  Look at verses 28-31:

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

By its very definition, psychology attempts to provide answers through science.  Science is about using observation, logic and reason to reach conclusions.  The problem with this is that the truth that brings freedom cannot be understood without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 2:14 says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The actual scientific part of the science of psychology has made some solid observations that are quite accurate.  For instance, the science of psychology has made the observations that certain patterns of behavior stem from certain causes.  This can make psychology seem to be advantageous. 

However, If the church were active in ministering to the hurting we would have made these observations ourselves. Science has picked up the baton of attempting to help the helpless because the church stopped fulfilling its function and now Christians believe that the science of psychology is necessary for understanding of these issues. This state of affairs has occurred because the church has strayed from the whole truth of our commission and ministry --- which integrally includes physical/emotional healing.  This is particularly harmful because only the church is also able to bring healing to the hurting through the living application of Scripture.

Here’s one example from present society of the danger of looking to psychology for answers, rather than looking to God.  A generation ago, the issue of "self image" was brought to the forefront as the cause of many social ills.  It made sense when looking at observable causes and effects.  Science observed that people who believed themselves to be "less" acted in ways that allowed them to be mistreated further and locked them into a life of failure. 

This observable science was accurate.  However, the logical scientific answer was to teach people, especially children through the vehicle of the schools, that they needed to convince themselves that they were valuable, good, deserving of respect and capable of accomplishing whatever they set their minds to do.  Unfortunately, the fruit of this is what we’re seeing in society now.  The children of 20 years ago are now adults and the young adults of 20 years ago are in their 40’s.  And we see a fundamental arrogance, extreme selfishness and profound disrespect as every person believes themselves to be better than those around them and deserving of the "worship" of everyone else.  We see outbreaks of violence over traffic annoyances because people believe that their rights are more important than other’s.  We see parents who treat their children with disrespect because they feel that they don’t "deserve" to have to deal with childishness.

On the other hand, God’s answer to this problem is to come to understand the truth of how God views each person and that our value in Him is limitless.  At the same time, when we learn to love as we are loved by God we demonstrate respect, kindness and preference for others.

As you can see, the fruit of psychology is increased deeds of the flesh.  The fruit of the Spirit is love.

But is there any reason we can’t have a marriage of psychology and Christian counseling?  Actually, Scripture says this will not work.  Look what the Word says:

Ro 8:5-14

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do

mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Matt. 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other...

Col. 2:6-10

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power...

When we try to take pieces of the philosophy of the world and integrate them with the truth of the Word we commit spiritual adultery.  God says He has all the answers we need for every situation.  When we try to bring in the human philosophy of psychology we are saying that we can add to, or we need to add to, what God says.  But the Word indicates that the results of this will be, not just diluting the truth, but that He cannot answer our prayers and bring spiritual maturity.

James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The Scripture makes it clear all we need to minister healing is found in relationship with God through the Word empowered by the Holy Spirit.  To add on philosophies of psychology would be disobedience to the Word and destructive to those being counseled by it. 

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