Page 12 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

3. Sin must be confronted as the primary source of mankind’s problems (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:14ff.).

4. Biblical counsel must be redemptive, bringing the gospel to bear upon problems (Rom. 1:16; Eph.
4:32; 5:25, etc.).

5. Biblical counsel aims at the heart and is not simply about behavior change (Matthew 15:19; Mark
7:21).

6. Biblical counsel relies upon the power of the Holy Spirit for true change (John 17:17; Rom. 8:13; Eph.
3:16).

7. Biblical counsel is done in gentleness and compassion (Gal. 6:1; Eph. 4:1-2; 15-16).

8. The local church is the primary instrument of comfort, help, and change in this world; and counsel
should be done under its authority (2 Cor. 1:3-6).

Who should do biblical counseling?

Every believer is responsible to care for one another (Zech. 8:16; 1 Cor. 12:26; Gal. 6:2). Those who are
“spiritual” should lead the way (Gal. 6:1). Pastors and leaders should be equipping the church to care for one
another (Eph. 4:11-13)

What qualifies a person to give biblical counsel?

Regeneration/conversion (2 Cor. 2:14-16) is necessary for a counselor to understand the Bible.
One cannot lead someone to Christ if they have not yet come to Christ and our coming to Christ is dependent
upon our being “born again” (John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:3). Though regeneration and conversion may not be the
same thing, they are so closely connected as to be inseparable, and the person who is not converted is surely
not regenerate and unable to understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Galatians 5:16-6:2) must be present to properly enlighten the minds of
not only the counselor, but the one being counseled.

A thorough understanding of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 5:14) is also a key ingredient to become a biblical
counseling. Clearly if one is to do “biblical” counseling it would not make sense to do it without the Bible. So,
biblical counseling presupposes a reasonable understanding of the Bible, and yet there are many who would
claim to do biblical counseling who take little time to study and equip themselves in the Bible.

What makes biblical counseling distinctively Christian?
It looks to Christ alone for the satisfaction of all human needs and desires:
• Justification
• Sanctification
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