The Sufficiency of God's Word and Jesus Christ Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb. 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Heb. 4:14 ¶ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Col 2:6 ¶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Col. 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Col. 2:8 ¶ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Col. 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
Psychology is a failed profession. It offers no hope for life transformation; only possible behavior modification at best - and there are no guarantees. The psychological profession will categorically tell you that any improvement upon your current condition will take years of therapy. It will be slow, painful, embarrassing, humiliating; and will leave you drained, questioning, and unfulfilled. For one hour a week (maybe more) the therapist will pretend that they really care about you, offering you little more than pat answers, claiming special abilities to look into your heart and mind, and offer you "salvation" from your problems. But here is the real kicker: they will charge you handsomely - anywhere from $75.00 to $200.00 per hour for their compassion and wisdom. And if you can't afford it or your insurance fails to pay, they will abandon your treatment more quickly than a New York audience listening to Kathy Lee Gifford sing, "You Light Up My Life" at the Apollo Theater.
On a pragmatic scale, you would be better off to watch Bill Murry's psychological comedy, "What About Bob" a few dozen times; feast on some really good Haagen Daaz Black Rasberry Chip Ice Cream, and buy a loveable dog. Pets can be very healing, ice cream very soothing, and "Bob" very humoring. All kidding aside, in reality, those things won't get to the root of any problem... will they? No. But it will save you thousands of dollars that the psychological community wants to fleece from you and in the end you will emerge more "balanced and adjusted" and without any addicting drugs or theraputic habits.
What is the Real Solution? Here is the anser: biblical counsel from the truth of God's Word effectively, practically, wisely, and faithfully applied to the deep hurts, struggles, fears, and needs of our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Sword and The Swordsman. His Word is enough and He is enough to meet all of our needs. No wonder King David said, "Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors." (Psalm 119:24)
Listen to how the Psalmist further speaks of the complete sufficiency of God's Word:
Psa. 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psa. 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psa. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. Psa. 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Psa. 19:11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Come to the Wonderful Counselor; come to His truth; come to Jesus Christ. You will not be charged a dime; and you will be changed--forever! If you have been lured into the psychological blame game and find yourself trapped in endless counseling sessions that are eating away at your life savings, I would like to invite you to trust in the One who made you; the One who keeps His eye on you; to the One who truly sees your heart and knows ever detail of your life--and still loves you. He will never leave you nor forsake you, and He will even take the most painful, sinful, tragic things that others have meant for evil in your life and He will use them for good. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, run to no other remedy and find your contentment, rest and restoration in Him.
Through the fellowship of the saints, may other believers in the Lord faithfully walk with you, pray with you, and encourage you to trust in His Word, in Jesus, to run to God, to be filled with His Spirit in midst of your trials and brokenness.
Read the brief article below and may it encourage you today in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, His truth and His Spirit. Find your rest, hope, healing and strength in Him.
The wounded soul, who is seeking for comfort, should never go for advice to unregenerate men; this is not God's appointed way. Alas! such men will think you mad, for they do not know what trouble for sin means. Why, then, reveal your disease to those who are not physicians? Go to Him who heals all manner of diseases, for so does God direct you. When Paul was converted by divine grace, he did not confer with flesh and blood, but instantly obeyed God. So should you do. Does God, by His ministry, convince you of the danger of wicked ways and of your duty to come to Him for safety and comfort? Obey instantly, and consult not with flesh and blood.
What your sinful companions offer to you is not suitable for the healing of your sorrowful, sin-sick soul. What can idle companions do to quiet your conscience, forgive your sin, support your spirit, or fill you with spiritual joy? Alas! all their joys "are but the crackling of thorns under a pot;" dreams and vanity from their highest mirth. What agreement is there between carnal mirth and spiritual sorrow? No more than between light and darkness. Away with them all; depart from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all your sins.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
If you follow thru with this logic, I should return the CD's I bought of yours. What is the address to return them and get a refund? There is a whole book in the Bible of music, Psalms. Ok, enough joking around. When someone has been hurt,they need the body of Christ to help them. The right part of the body of Christ, sometimes this is the Counselor. You might what to post in your next article any further thoughts on this subject. Jeff Click here to reply to this post
Ignorance is dangerous
Posted On: 04/30/08 08:58:33 AM
Age 36, MN
This article is dangerous. Well intending people of faith may read it and deny themselves or their children the very intervention that could save them from unnecessary pain, destructive behaviors and suicide. The Bible tells us to seek out counselors, and that doesn't just mean your resident Bible scholar. This article is not only misguieded, but factually wrong. It's based on a caricature of a particular brand of therapy known as psychoanalysis--the traditional Freudian variety. This does not represent 99% of the therapy done, and my graduate training in clinical psychology hardley prepared me to deal with people in that way. Yes, psychology does have a history of antireligious protagonists, but even the APA is coming around to the value of religion. See "Psychology and Christianity: Four Views" edited by Eric L. Johnson and Stanton L. Jones for an excellent EDUCATED discussion on this topic.
I am further troubled by Steve's inept application of scripture and his shoddy hermeneutics, but that's an issue for another day. Click here to reply to this post
DO NOT JUDGE THE LORD SERVANTS
Posted On: 04/27/08 10:25:42 PM
Age 64, OH
Luke was a medical doctor and I see nowhere in scripture where he, the apostles, or Jesus denounced Luke as a doctor. If we can have doctors of the body then doctors for the mind are just as valid. People have made idols out of both medical doctors and psychologists instead of looking to the Lord Jesus. But the fact that these people have done evil by their idolatry does not make ALL doctors or the psychologists evil. People read the Bible and do evil by misunderstanding it. That does NOT make the Bible evil. For every GIFT of God there is a counterfeit from the Devil. But the counterfeit does NOT make the real gift evil. It seems most psychologist are in error and leading people into drugs and trusting in them and NOT god. But there are men called of God to study the problems of the mind and use the scriptures to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ. BE VERY CAREFUL - IT IS A EVIL THING TO CALL THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD WHO GIVE THEIR LIFE TO JESUS, EVIL. I personally know a humble psychologists who is lame and uses the scriptures to help people. By his knowledge of the mind he can see where they have not followed the scriptures and calls them to repentance. This man helped me more than any pastor ever did. He is a friend and servant of Jesus and I would not want to call him a false servant. I would fear Jesus his friend. It seems many pastors gather people after themselves and are wolves, but they do not make ALL pastors evil do they. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Oh Boy
Posted On: 04/24/08 08:25:20 PM
Age 40, NH
Past the caricature of those in the psych profession and how they go about attempting to help people, this article displays a lack of knowledge about the role of Scripture and of counseling.
1. Scripture is sufficient
2. Counseling is not evil
3. Counseling others with the Scriptures is the (obviously) biblical model
4. Quoting chapter and verse usually doesn't do squat
5. Utilizing Scripture to speak to that person in need so they understand Him and how the Scripture applies to that person is the way
6. True counseling is using Scripture to help others grow, heal or prepare for the future.
7. Understanding the truth and lie within each preset counseling theory is key. Much like heretics, they have a piece of the truth and take that truth to the illogical and unbiblical extreme (humanity versus deity debates throughout history are a good example)
8. Brother, you have born a false witness (at least in description of those in the field) and they should be apologized to.
Grace and Peace,
Jim Click here to reply to this post
Oh, how I chuckled
Posted On: 04/24/08 04:55:29 PM
Age 26, JAPAN
So filled with spite and pious nonsense this article was. The ring of truth it did not have.
Enough with the Yoda speak. Let me ask one questions:
1) When was the last time psychologists started a war? And what percentage of wars are based on religion?
Answered it? Now tell you still think religion in the answer to all your woes? Click here to reply to this post
Psychology . . . Man's attempt to heal the soul
Posted On: 04/24/08 02:59:20 PM
Age 54, CA
Call it what you want . . . psychology was invented by man to deal with the problems that were meant to be handled by God. It is man's attempt to heal the soul, with or without God.
Unfortunately, too many Christians have been sucked up into the whole industry. Every major Christian college offers training in psychology. It has been accepted as science, but it deals with spiritual issues . . . guilt, repentance, forgiveness, selfishness, hatred: These are all spiritual matters that can only be handled by the Great Physician.
Pastors need to be ready to lead people to the Great Healer. Unfortunately, too many pastors also buy into the "science" of psychology and recommend counseling instead of speaking from the wisdom presented in the scriptures.
A Christian counsellor friend of mine recently lamented the fact that he had wasted 30 years of his life trying to help people by applying the wisdom of man.
So, Steve, when you expose the fact that the emperor has no clothes, you can expect that the millions of people trapped in the false "science" of psychology will start kicking and screaming. I think that the bitter responses you have received point that out. Click here to reply to this post
THE PHARISEES CALLED JESUS THE DEVIL
Posted On: 04/28/08 09:46:10 AM
Age 64, OH
Certainly the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all that exists and the person who has Christ has everything and lacks not one thing. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. I have been miraculously healed by The Great Physician many, many times. One time I had a bone broken in my hand that was bent at a angle so anyone could see it was broken. It was swollen and black and blue and very painful. Jesus healed my hand in an instant and made the bone straight, the swelling and black and blue were all gone in a second. Jesus once sent me to the hospital and I seen a woman there that was told she would die within the hour. She had complete kidney failure and was so weak she could hardly talk. The Lord told me to pray for her and she stood up in the bed and said Jesus healed her. They examined her and said her kidneys were working fine and sent her home. But once I had the shingles and I prayed for healing and nothing happened. I waited several days and it was very painful. After more prayer, I felt the Holy Spirit was telling me to take the medication the doctor had given me and I did. The pain was gone in several days. Are you telling me that it is a sin to go to a medical doctor. Does not God give a gift to certain men to help the Lord heal them through medicine. Is not the mind also part of our being. Can not Jesus send someone to help those with problems of the mind. Would you lump those sent by Jesus with those who are serving themselves or even the Devil. I know a Chiropractor who loves Jesus and prays for help from Jesus while working on every single patient. Would you call him evil. Lou Click here to reply to this post
3rd member of the trinity.
Posted On: 04/24/08 08:53:12 AM
Age 47, MO
Steve: I would disagree a tad with your article by saying the BEST is not Scripture but the Holy Spirit. The scriptures attest to Christ but the Spirit brings them to life. If we are guided by the Spirit; we will never fail, we always have hope, we will follow Scripture, we have purpose and joy, and we have salvation. Many follow Scripture, interpreted by SELF, to their own destruction, but He who follows THE WORD (Christ) has life. Christ gave us Himself in the Spirit- having the Spirit is by far greater than having a book. Amen? John Click here to reply to this post
Accurately handling the word of truth
Posted On: 04/23/08 11:50:46 PM
Age 50, OR
God's word is Sufficient! What we are short in is workmen who accurately handle the word of truth. I recently attended a training seminar put on by the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors.(Nouthetic means from the Bible) We as Christians should be able to give hope to people in need. It is hard work to be equipt, but we need to be light in a very dark and hurting world. Click here to reply to this post
Seems we are one of few who think Yahweh is sufficient
Posted On: 04/25/08 08:35:46 PM
Age 45, NJ
It's a sad commentary that Jesus is not sufficient for those professing their trust in Him, that we need something more. I know there are few who need drugs and many many many more who need to surrender to His sovereignty.
The Bible is sufficient for the teaching and reproof we need, and The Spirit of God working through the hands and mouths of Mature Believers are Yahweh's best tools to heal the brokenhearted, feed the poor and dress the wounded.
Patrick J Burwell/Patrick@OnlyJesusSaves.com Click here to reply to this post
JESUS SPEAKS BY THE MEANS THAT HE CHOOSES
Posted On: 04/23/08 09:34:10 PM
Age 64, OH
I was once sent to a psychologist who was a Christian and in a few minutes he was able to point me to the heart of Jesus more than any Christian who was a pastor. The study of the mind is not evil for the mind was created by our dear Lord. Not all Psychologists are evil and not all pastors are good. It is NOT what a man chooses to study that makes him evil or good to seek out. But it is WHO that man looks to for guidance. Just as it is good to ask another man what he sees in the scriptures and discuss them with him to seek out the voice of the Lord Himself; it is also OK to ask another man about our bodies or minds and hope to learn what the Lord is trying to say to us about the mind or body. Can not the Lord speak even through unbelievers as He did the donkey. Many men read the scriptures and have gone on crusades or inquisitions and killed millions. Does that make the scriptures evil, of course not. The pharisees looked to the scriptures and were lost. The disciples looked to the one who wrote the scriptures and were saved. Some men worship the sun but that does NOT make the sun evil for it was created by the Lord and He said it was good. The Lord has spoke to me through many ways and many people but mostly through the scriptures. But any way the Lord chooses to speak is up to Him for he is sovereign and is the Lord. He leads and I only follow. If The Lord sends someone to a Psychologist would you call the Lord wrong. Certainly we should be looking to the Lord and not the Psychologist who is but a tool in His hand. Did not the Holy Spirit speak through the high priest who was the man who sought to kill Jesus. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Give me an example
Posted On: 04/24/08 05:12:53 AM
Age 54, VA
Can you show me from the Bible where God sent someone to a psychologist? I can't. Therefore would God do it today. No! Click here to reply to this post
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ORIGINAL COUNSELOR
Posted On: 04/27/08 10:03:32 PM
Age 64, OH
This is too easy. The Lord Jesus told us that He would send us a Counselor. The Wonderful Counselor of the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ has been counseling all that would come to Him. Jesus is the Creator of the mind and is the original psychologist. Certainly Jesus studies the minds that He has created. He even says that we should stay our mind on Him. certainly we are called to be like Jesus. Jesus is the original Prophet and he calls men to be Prophets. The same is true for evangelist, teachers and pastors. Then Jesus calls men to be COUNSELORS and to study the mind also. I am not to look to a psychologists or a pastor. I am to look to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the original healer and he calls men to heal people both by the gift of healing by prayer and by being called to be a doctor. Why would you even pretend to know the will of God for others. People are to seek God for themselves and hear Him for themselves. Show me a scripture that says we are forbidden to see a psychologist. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Truth is true because it is
Posted On: 04/27/08 08:23:57 AM
Age 47, MO
Friend: You are missing a crucial point. Truth is true where ever it's found. Creation is not true because God said its true, creation is true because it is. God is I am because there is no other. So, it's not boasting to be God, He is what He is. My point is that a counselor who speaks truth to a situation is just as good as the "book" that speaks truth to a situation. God will use whatever means he desires to speak the truth in our lives; it could be others, pain and suffering, love, calamity, nature, the cosmo's...even a donkey. Remember, scripture is nothing without Spirit discernment and one of many ways God speaks to us. Amen? John Click here to reply to this post
A Sorely Misguided Article
Posted On: 04/23/08 07:11:26 PM
Age 60, CA
Dear Steve,
As a Christian who is as into apologetics and theology as you are, I find your article problematic at best. I am the product of years of therapy due to an extremely abusive childhood. My counselor was a stellar example of godliness and pointed me towards Christ in all things and through that one healthy relationship I was healed over a number of years. The church failed me.
As for the fees counselors charge, you really need to get educated. Counselors in CA not only earn a Masters level education, but also are required to do 3000 hours of unpaid internship. It is not a high paying field. Also if the church did it's job instead of screwing people over, most Christians wouldn't need a safe place to go to be heard and loved unconditionally....and believe it or not therapists really do care about their clients...maybe not all of them, but the ones I know do.
Maybe you should get some therapy, because the love of Christ isn't as apparent in you, as it was my counselor and all your knowledge of scripture is like a clanging cymbal. Click here to reply to this post
AMEN
Posted On: 04/25/08 01:58:32 AM
Age 26, IN
amen to that, brother. too many people are burned by "the church". It's safer to see a counselor. Also, Steve, why did you proof-text instead of using the WHOLE word of God? I think there are times in the Proverbs where it talks of "wise counsel"?? Psychology isn't a failed field. Human beings do have psychological needs. The Bible isn't an owner's manual and shouldn't be treated as one. It's a book that talks about the gift of Salvation. Believe it or not...there ARE some subjects it doesn't touch on. God did give us minds to think. Use yours and stop prooftexting..it's an abuse of the Word. Click here to reply to this post
The Sufficiency of God's Word and Jesus Christ
