True Biblical Counseling: Part 3

Last time we examined what it means to Counsel someone Biblically, discovering that this idea is rooted in Scripture and is used in the context of the local church. Next, we need to discover the differences between Biblical Counseling (from a Biblical perspective) and Christian (Psychology) Counseling, that is Christians that counsel using Biblical language while supplementing (or even substituting) their material with secular sources. We learn that Biblical Counseling and Christian Psychology have five divergent points. We will examine these in the these final three or four posts.

Lets examine our first point of difference; that is from the perspective of Scripture. In this idea of the use of the Scriptures in counseling there are stark contrasts, while some would see these as only slight. Many Christian Psychologists acknowledge that the Bible has a role of inspiration in counseling with the main focus is for them to adapt a personalized model secular psychology and attempt to counsel and speak from human knowledge and wisdom. Biblical (Nouthetic) Counselors, on the other hand, use the Scriptures as the source for how to understand people and the problems that they face. Let me explain why the latter is superior to the former. Only God knows the heart of man. Who better understands man than his Creator? Jeremiah tells us that the "heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9)"; Paul says, "There is none righteous"( Rom 3:10). This foundational principle explains that, Freud, Skinner, and Rogers (the authorities on psychological counseling theories) could not have known the heart of man, and could only approximate the emotional part of man. They simply devised clever, albeit intellectual, frameworks of how man's emotions work. Is this an arogant statement? No, these men, although brilliant, were not saved; they were aetheists or agnostics. God's Word on the other hand delivers a clear verdict. The end state of a psychologist (no matter their intentions) using his flawed theories can only lead to flawed analysis. On the other hand, 2 Tim 3:16-17 tells us that the Bible is Inspired and is "profitable for doctrine (what is right), reproof (how to stay right), correction (how to get right), and instruction in righteousness (keeping on the right course). The Bible presupposes man's sinfulness, prescribes an inward change (that is salvation); then promises His Spirit as a Divine Agent to use the Scriptures to guide us. This is astoundingly clear! God's Way delivers change that does not want! Respectfully. Merry Christmas! Sherrell

True Biblical Counseling: Part 2

We learned in the last posting that Biblical Counseling is understood from the meaning behind the use of the term nouthesia; that greek word carries the idea of confrontation, concern and change. According to Jay Adams, the leading scholar on Biblical or Nouthetic Counseling, there are three ideas found in the word nouthesia. They are confrontation, concern, and change. To put it simply, nouthetic counseling consists of lovingly confronting people out of deep concern in order to help them make godly changes in their lives. It is godly change that we need in order to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the only life that is adorned with gold, silver and precious stones, not wood hay and stubble.

What do these ideas encompass? The following explainations are provided by the Institute for Nouthetic Studies:

Confrontation means that one Christian personally gives counsel to another from the Scriptures. He does not confront him with his own ideas or the ideas of others, but limits his counsel strictly to that which may be found in the Bible, believing that "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Concern means that counseling is always done for the benefit of the counselee. His welfare is always in view in Nouthetic counseling. The apostle Paul put it this way: "I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you].(1 Corinthians 4:14) There is always a warm, family note to Nouthetic counseling which is done among the saints of God who seek to help one another become more like Christ.

Change means that Nouthetic counseling is done because there is something in another Christian's life that fails to meet the biblical requirements and that, therefore, keeps him from honoring God. All counseling -- Biblical or otherwise-- attempts change. Biblical counselors know what a counselee should become as the result of counseling: he should look more like Christ. He is the Standard. Biblical counseling is done by Christians who are convinced that God is able to make the changes that are necessary as His Word is ministered in the power of the Spirit. The importance of such counseling in churches is underscored by the words of Paul as he described his ministry in Ephesus: "Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years, night and day, I didn't stop counseling each one of you with tears." (Acts 20:31) The regularity and intense nature of Paul's counsel during his three-year ministry at Ephesus is emphasized by these words. If Paul found it necessary to counsel nouthetically for that entire period, as he said, surely our churches need it, too.

More to follow---In His Service! Sherrell

On True Biblical Counseling: Part 1

We are often torn by the reality of living in a fallen world. We Christians understand that this life on earth is the worst that we will ever experience. God's Word does clarify that the "wise man built his house upon the rock" and the "foolish man built his house upon the sand"; in both cases there are storms; the rains come down and the floods come up. One stands firm and the other falls.... and ...great is the fall of it. You will notice, regardless of the circumstances of whether one is wise or foolish, the storms come. We may as well build that house on the rock! Amen? I want to briefly launch a number of posts dealing with Biblical Counseling, because there can be confusion here, and I want to help clear it up.



True Biblical Counseling is based on a genuine understanding of the Holy Scriptures and thorough grounding in an understanding of man and who he is and how he can change. The Apostle Paul writes: "I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and competent to counsel one another." Romans 15:14

The word Counsel here is Noutheteo and is translated "admonish, correct or instruct." We see the context of the term counsel then (here and elsewhere in the New Testament) is in the context of the local Church, that body Paul is addressing. It is a common part of our sanctification and we are to hold each other accountable. This will be the thrust of the next series of posts that I will share....to examine the differences between so-called Christian Counseling and Biblical Counseling. They are different and are based on fundementally different presuppositions. In His Honor! Sherrell

On Ministering with Our Spiritual Gifts

My spouse and son were recently involved in a severe auto crash. By God's grace they were spared, but did suffer broken bones. My wife has been hospitalized for the better part of twelve days as of this writing. This casted me in a temporary role of single parent and has granted me a rich appreciation for my wife's daily tasks of getting the children ready, taking care of the home, nursing sick kids, and pressing homework, etc. Frankly, I have led close to a thousand soldiers in the military, have commanded billions of dollars in budgets, but being a single parent has been the most difficult task to date, and I have a deeper understanding and compassion for widows and the fatherless. God's Word is repleat with verses of His strong Love for these oft-forgotten children.



I have drawn deep encouragement from God's people during these days. Our precious church has rallied around us with prayers, meals, compassion and help with shuttling kids and offers for cleaning and other chores. Frankly I am overwhelmed with God's Grace and His people's generosity and love during these trials.



Do you belong to a local Body of Christ? Paul exhorts in Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching". Here we are pressed to come together in the local body of Christ, that is the church. It is not only fitting and proper, but a command. We cannot be spectators in the body of Christ; we must be participators. God endows us with spiritual gifts for the ministry. 1 Corinthians 14:12 says, "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church". You see this? We are called to ministers to those in our local church, to edify and build each other up. When we abandone church attendance for the sake of television or radio ministers we neglect the use of our spiritual gifts and are in disobedience of God's Word.

ON THE NEWNESS OF LIFE

A. R. Bernard said, If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.

There is a maxim that advises that it is lunacy to expect a different outcome when we continue the same behavior. In Alabama speak that is, “if you keep doin’ what you’re always a doin’, you’ll keep a gettin’ what you always get’.” While this may be amusing, it rings true for many Christians. We live a life that is incongruous with the portrait that is resoundingly clear in Scripture then we fail to understand how we are not appreciating the blessings of God. We cannot understand why we are depressed or unfulfilled. Comparing ourselves to the unsaved around us, our lives are not really contrasted. Something is wrong, and we know it.

Yes, we are sinners for it says so in Romans 3:23. Yes our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked according to Jeremiah 17:9, but if we are saved it is different. How? Because according to God’s Word we are changed: “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17. Why does God provide us with normative truth in the Bible? Why does He provide us a path for righteous living? Why does He provide us the Holy Spirit? Why, because He expects us to live a victorious life. He expects us to move towards progressive sanctification to maturity.

Let me unpack this. In Romans 6:4 it says: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”. You see this? At salvation we are freed from death and sin and its power, and by so are enabled to walk in righteousness. Paul goes on to say in 6:18, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness”. Are you saved? Yes, then live righteously by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Humbly, Sherrell

Thoughts on Culmination

I just lost my only brother. Due to some unforeseen events, there were several weeks that passed between his death and our family's memorializing him. There are some things that you can learn by waiting...by pause after such a shocking event; you learn to be still and listen to quiet voice of God. Ronnie was 45; seemingly healthy, but cancer and fatal circumstances can be larger than all of us. In our frailness we can only grasp that it is decisively the sovereignty of God that can transcend all science and healing. Life is paper thin, and our veneer it shredded away and stripped when we face the mortality of those close to us. Whether your earthly life amounts to fame or not means nothing in the grand scene of eternity.

When faced with the planning of Ronnie's memorial service details seemed to materialize somewhat on their own. My work right now is unforgiving and overwhelming. God just works things out. In eulogizing Ronnie, I attempted to cast an image of long ago. You see in the twenty-five years since we had been apart we had scarcely seen one another, talked to one another or even had a glance at our mutual lives. It was at our mother's funeral in 2005 when it became clear to me and I realized that my brother had become a total stranger. At his memorial service, I could only muster up some childhood stories...could only cast out some faint memories....could only offer glimpses of what he once was.

The only message of hope that I could offer those listening that night was the message of eternal life; the Gospel. For twenty minutes I unashamedly shared a timeless message of God's Plan for Salvation for the lost and the dying. Paul said in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel "is the power of God unto Salvation..." I am wondering how many reading this post right now are ready for death? You can know for sure that you are indeed ready. Jesus said in John 10:10b, "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly". But also listen to John 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Friend, you are faced with the choice of everlasting life or the wrath of God. Read more at http://www.fbtministries.org/heaven.htm with love and encouragement...I am Sherrell

The Sweetness of Christ Flowing Out of Our Lives

Have you ever been really thirsty? I mean having such a dry parched mouth that it sticks together? You’re in a place of oppressive heat; its consuming and you cannot escape it. You walk left and walk right and cannot find a place of solace, a place of respite. You venture over the sandy hill and there in the distance at the bottom of your view is a beautiful glade, green and lush. You hurry your pace and find a flowing beautiful shady brook. Your hand discovers cool and clear water so clean. You satisfy your thirst and a coolness sweeps over you like a calm of a gentle rain; it is sweet and it satisfies. What a picture.

In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul starts with this idea. He says, “If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. He uses the term consolation, that is simply, a “sweetness” in Christ. You get that? Think about this: the sweetness of Christ should so exude from our lives that we are like a refreshing drink of cool water to the dry around us; that we are a cool calm to the hot torrent of life to those who are our friends in Christ, and to the thirsty world….a satisfying drink. Ah, but read on dear friend.

You will notice that Paul teaches here to illustrate this thought: Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. He calls us to a place of humility, one contrary to strife or vainglory. Each of us is to esteem others better than ourselves. Contrary to the world, we are to put others before our own life. Jesus taught, to die to ourselves; He taught to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is sacrifice; this is sweetness. How is your sweetness towards others? Do you have the “mind of Christ? Paul commands us to have the Mind of Christ, verse 5, one that embraces sacrifice and slavery to God; one that commands sweetness to others. Let your sweetness wrap its splendor to reach the thirsty. In His Honor! Sherrell