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What is Christian Counseling

5/5/2020

A secular definition of counseling is the scientific enterprise of applying experimentally-proven laboratory truths to modify troublesome behavior. So, what then is Christian counseling and how doe sit differ from secular counseling? In a nutshell, secular counseling depends on man's wisdom, while Christian counseling depends on the eternal Word of God as applied by the Spirit of Truth. Christian counseling then is simply giving godly advice and godly guidance. Therefore, the Christian who knows the bible is able to apply that truth to everyday life. They are also empowered by the Spirit to be sensitive to God's voice is equipping them to offer sound, godly counsel in a spirit of love. Secular counseling differs from Christian counseling in several important ways:

Secular    Christian
-Secular counselors study & rely on counseling theories for answers -Christian counselors rely on the Spirit & Word while trusting God to change the behavior. to troubling behavior.     -Studies man's wisdom but considers it to be secondary to the Word of God
-Excludes the Word of God -Exalts God
-Exalts Man -Starts with the will of God
-Starts with the needs of man -Encourages responsibility
-Removes responsibility from the counseled -Encourages confession and repentance
-Ignores sin -Knows the carnal nature of man must be reckoned dead
-Tries to change the carnal nature with man's wisdom -but to us, the message of the cross is the power of God
-The message of the cross is foolishness

Now what we (believers) have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught to us by man's wisdom but in words taught to us by the Spirit explaining spiritual realities and spiritual words. ..
I Corinthians 2:12-13

Christian Counseling Approaches

5/2/2020

Christian Counseling is different than secular counseling. Christian Counseling is based on the understanding that the bible is the source of all truth. It seeks to discover areas where the Christian may be disobedient to the principles of scripture. It teaches us to pursue a submitted life to God’s right way of doing things, principles. There is an understanding that Gods way of doing things is the source for how one should live their life.

Humans are made up of a body, soul, spirit. The Christian approach to counseling deals with all three of these aspects using a professional licensed Christian counseling approach from the bible. Faith-Based Counselors know that faith is essential to the full restoration of the believer. Full restoration require that the believer not just hear the word but do it and apply it to their daily life. Faith helps the believer begin to apply his eternal position in Christ, into his daily decisions. Faith is at the center of faith-based counseling and learning how its principles apply to the believer is not optional.

Christian Counselors realize there is a war against believers going on in the spiritual dimension that requires a clear understanding by believers for them to get free and remain that way. The enemy uses the list of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life to tempt the believer into abandoning their position in Christ for a less purpose filled life. In 1 Corinthians 3::10-17 the bible teaches the believer to “put off the old man and put on the new.” The faith-based counseling methods work to achieve this goal for their clients.

Restorative therapy uses counseling techniques that are directed to the spiritual part of a believer. This is done so that it effects lasting change for the spirit, soul and body of the client. It requires teaching of the divine viewpoint of God, not the viewpoint of man regarding any negative behaviors. It reveals Gods goodness towards an undeserving child and teaches us of his mercy and compassion for the full restoration and freedom of the believer.

Christian Counselors learn to listen below the surface of what is being said. The faith-based Counselor prays for guidance and wisdom that only God can give, concerning their clients. As the Holy Spirit helps them to perceive what is really going on below the surface of a particular situation they begin to see the bigger picture so they can address it at the root. In this way the counseling has a real impact on the believer. Every Christian Counselor knows that listening can be more important than talking for the restoration of the believer.

Lastly, the faith-based Counselor understands that Christ places spiritual gifts in all of his children. They help believers to understand the giftings given to them and how to appropriate those gifts in order to live a more productive fulfilling spiritual life. Counseling individuals about the character traits that accompany different gifts can help them learn to know themselves better. As the learn about their individual gifts it builds confidence and dependency on Christ to operate effectively in it.

Faith-Based Christian counseling can address any problem that a person may have such as anger, addiction, divorce or marital issues, abuse, suicide and many others. The difference in Christian counseling is that they utilize the power of the Holy Spirit and the Bible to restore the believer to full freedom.