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149: The Holy Spirit in Counseling
Listen to the full episode as Pastor Jeff Christianson shares the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling.
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149: The Holy Spirit in Counseling
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John 16:13 has got to be one of my favorite verses in the bible. The promise Jesus gives here should bring GREAT COMFORT and assurance to the heart of EVERY believer. What POSSIBLE GREATER promise could Jesus give His followers than the Comforter/Helper, who would come in His Name, to lead and guide us into ALL Truth. The Apostle John writes in 1John 2:27 states ” that the ANOINTING that you received from Him abides in you, and you have NO NEED that ANYONE should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about EVERYTHING, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in Him.”
This presupposes (and rightly so) that without the help and guidance of the INDWELLING Holy Spirit it is IMPOSSIBLE to know THE TRUTH (with a capital “T”) – 1Cor. 2:14.
And since “The Truth” is not just some abstract concept, as Pilate and many people in our day presuppose, but is IN FACT a PERSON (Jn 14:6 I am the way, THE TRUTH and the life), one cannot know or truly understand REALITY or “All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Col 2:3, without KNOWING the eternal, living SON of GOD. Therefore, MOST IMPORTANTLY, one cannot know JESUS without the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT whom Jesus sent to all that would repent of their sins, receive His Word in obedience and put their faith in His sacrificial, substitutionary sacrifice on their behalf 2 Cor.5:21.
I appreciate brother Jeff’s exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith which was ONCE FOR ALL delivered to the saints. In addition to standing for the truth is the thought of the finality of the truth. Our faith was delivered “once for all” to the saints. It is not, as some would contend, an open, changing and evolving Word of God. The record and Canon of scripture is complete and within its pages are admonitions and warnings to that effect Rev. 22:18,19; 1Cor.15:3; 2Tim.3:16; Matt.5:17; 2Pet.3:16 and Jude 3. In addition to these verses is the universal recognition of Apostolic authorship of our current Canon. The implications of these scriptures and conclusions comes to bear on the SUFFICIENCY of the scriptures and Jesus (within our current 66 books) for ALL OUR FAITH AND CONDUCT…..
in the pulpit and the counseling venue, as well.
I accidentally posted the response to podcast # 159 to podcast # 149
I have heard people say “well, that’s your version of the truth!” This drives me nuts. Similarly, I heard people say things when relating to the Bible. I admit I sometimes don’t like what the Bible has to say when it the Holy Spirit reveals and convicts me of something.
Without the wisdom and counsel of the Holy Spirit, we can offer nothing of God to others. The Holy Spirit is essential to understand God’s Word and share His wisdom and knowledge with those we counsel. I believe humility is essential to this relationship.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us to know Him better. As Jeff said, we do not want to run ahead of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. We need to understand that even though people have ideas and theories, only the Word of God is the real truth. When we are counseling God’s Way, we want to impact people, and we do this by listening to the Holy Spirit. I’m so thankful for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Amen! It is Imperative that we always remember, whether in counseling or everyday interactions with family, friends, neighbors or co-workers, that without abiding in Christ through His indwelling SPIRIT we can do NOTHING Jn.15:5 of any lasting, eternal value.
The idea that what people are willing to talk about around the table points to where their hearts are really resonated with me as true. When the Holy Spirit is at the center of a church, I have seen the evidence in the speech and manner that prevails. Where there might have been gossip, there is instead prayer and praise, where where often would be cliques, there instead is welcome hospitality, and so on. The Holy Spirit makes himself known , either as a fragrant aroma to those in Christ, or the aroma of death to those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15-17). Praying that the Lord would continue to enable us to be freed from self-obsession, and able to walk more and more closely with Him by the power of His Holy Spirit, able to offer counsel in humility and love, whether our words are received as sweet, or bitter.
The Holy Spirit is at work all of the time, I would do well to recognize that more and more. He takes the word and injects it right into the situation, I need to be in the habit of praying without ceasing, there are so many times where I struck out on the opportunity to share Christ with others because I was to worried about self exaltation. Very seldom am I idle, I am always in a state of doing, now wouldn’t it be better for it to be directed towards worship of God, no matter what it is. Will not the Spirit of God meet me there and make something good come about, even if it is as simple as delighting in Him through the day.
Appreciate your thoughts, and just want to agree with the sentiment that it would be better to be in a constant state of worship (whatever mode that takes on), rather than doing in some less worthy manner. Even the dishes can be done with a heart of worship when the Holy Spirit is at work!
This comment actually combines podcast149 and the next podcast on prayer 150. While attending seminary we were conducting mock counseling sessions in front of the class. We would rotate though the exercise each student conducting a counseling session. After all the students had gone through the professor asked if we noticed anything unusual in the way we began our counseling sessions. He pointed out that out of all the counseling sessions only one student prayed before they began their session. How eye opening but also how embarrassing. That class opened my eyes for the need to not only pray but to ask for the Holy Spirits guidance during counseling sessions. This podcast reminded me of how we can so easily get distracted by this world and our agenda. Exactly what Jeff described as the self crazed age. Since that class I begin all of my counseling sessions with a prayer specifically asking for the Holy Spirit to guide the session.
Yes what a sad picture of the Lord Jesus Christ displaced by His own church through an obsession with self! How we need the Holy Spirit of God to displace us from our own thrones; so that – as was mentioned – He can lead us to share the truth that another person so desperately needs to hear. Praise Him for that!
Ann-Louise, I agree it is sad when Jesus is replaced in our churches with self. But we have a role to play in letting the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth so that we don’t keep it to ourselves but we share it with those in the church who need to hear the truth and help to remove the obsession of self. Thanks for the reminder.
I agree it is terrible to see whole churches catering to a self centered concept of Christianity, not only is it wrong it is so unfulfilling.
So true! It is remarkable how simply envisioning the nearness of Jesus immediately puts a new perspective on whatever we are occupied with at a given moment. There is either the gratitude of recognizing His help, comfort, encouragement, or love, or the conviction of recognizing our own departure from fellowship with Him. What a blessing that we can both be encouraged and encourage others of the truth that He is always ready to receive us with grace and loving kindness, if only we seek his face (Nehemiah 9:17)!
Erin, when you say we can be encouraged by others, and encourage others, I couldn’t agree more. We should continue to lift other believers up in prayer and encourage them. That’s one of the reasons, we are to meet. It was very hard during 2020, due to the fact that we couldn’t really encourage others. Meet for coffee, have a Bible study, etc. Thank the Lord for where we have got to now. Still challenges, but not as bad a before.
Thank you Professor/Pastor Jeff for your gift of teaching! A true gift from The Lord.
I am not a teacher, or am not gifted with that and that is ok. What I have learned as I rely on the Holy Spirit, is when given an opportunity to teach a group of women for a Bible study or a conference, I press into the Spirit of God and allow HIM to move, and goodness have I seen HIM work. It is absolutely nothing of myself. My point, is that when you stated that we are to share “Gods Word with clarity and conviction” this is our duty. To bring others to HIM and by doing that, we need to be anchored in HIM. Prayerfully seeking after the Spirit. When we are with one person, or many, The Holy Spirit knows what we do not. We can trust in the Holy Spirit in what HE has previously taught us in HIS Word. HE Brings all things to remembrance. John 14:26
I agree Serena so often people rely on their talents and not the Holy Spirit. We miss out on so much when we don’t rely on Him. There have been many times where I have nothing to say and I am just relying on Him and He will bring something to remembrance.
Good reminder, Serena. When we think that we don’t have the words to speak to someone, or the strength to listen, the Holy Spirit does. He’s constantly guiding us as we pray and seek Him.
Great reminder! “We need to be anchored in HIM.” Without being anchored to the Lord we will drift.
1 Corinthians 2:11 comes to mind. “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” How can we truly know what God’s has to say to us without the guiding of the Holy Spirit? Many men try to change what the word of God says or try to twist it. I love the comment that God’s word is not revised–it is truth for all times. The Holy Spirit reveals that truth to us in every situation we face, and for those that we counsel, if they seek the Lord and immerse themselves in His word and in prayer.
Yes, I like what you said about seeking the Lord and immersing ourselves in the His word… I reciently saw one of our youth group high schools girls wearing a t-shirt that said “Binge Jesus” I love that. I may have to get one.
I am with you; I loved the comment that God’s Word is not revised. That hasn’t and probably won’t stop many from trying. Be in the Word regularly and relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance
I thank God for the guiding of the Holy spirit who guides me into all truth, the truth of the wonderful counselor. (John 16:13) I thank God that he reminds me what Jesus has taught me. (John 14:26) Because sometimes it feels like I can’t remember anything. Pray for me as I attempt to encourage a friend to live God’s way in his personal life so he will be a good witness to the people under his influence, and give him a humble heart to seek and obey our Lord Jesus Christ. “Because it is the only way to happy in Jesus” as the wonderful old song says.
Praying for you Charles.
The Holy Spirit surely lifts the load or burden from us as Counsellors because He is the One who is the Wonderful Counsellor and the One who guides us in all truth. We can come to times in our lives when we do not know what to do but the Holy Spirit guides and leads us. We need Him as He not only helps us understand His Scriptures but the whole process of change and sanctification is only accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is so amazing how the Holy Spirit directs us as we counsel bringing to our remembrance scriptures when they are so readily needed.We definitely don’t want to live without the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
Joycelyn–I agree wholeheartedly with the comment that the Holy Spirit lifts the load or burden from us. All we have to do is be obedient in seeking time with the Lord in word and prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting. Once again we are only an instrument that the Lord chooses to use, but it is Him who guides and counsels.
Amen. It is humbling and brings about the correct perspective as we acknowledge that He alone knows the condition of another person’s heart and is able to provide through His Word and by His Spirit the healing and restoration that person needs. Praise God that it’s not about us.
I love how Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth in John 16:13. Not only is He the Spirit of truth, but He guides us in truth. And just as Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life (John 14:6), it makes perfect sense that He is the centerpiece of our counseling message. I know personally that my hope and comfort comes from knowing who Jesus is (my Savior), knowing what He has done (died on the cross for my sins, and rose again), and what He is able to do (exceedingly, abundantly above all that I can ask or think). To God be the glory as we proclaim this truth given to us by The Holy Spirit, to those we counsel.
IIene,
I love how you wrote about Christ being the centerpiece of the counseling message. I picture a beautiful table setting, all pieces laid out around the wonderful centerpiece, it all fits together, all pointing to HIM. Nothing works without the beautiful Centerpiece. Just my imagination painting a picture of HIM.
As we set out to counsel, knowing the Christ will always be the one whom we rwly on and look too.
It is so very detrimental that we recognize the Spirit and his role in our lives. As pastor Jeff mentioned in this episode, Jesus tells us the Spirit’s title of “The Spirit of Truth.” This is important, especially in this day and age, where we are consistently required to discern what the truth is, and to stand firm in it. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard professing Christians, even prominent pastors, proclaim that the works and gifts of the Spirit are dead. This statement it simply ridiculous. If that were true, then none of us would have the hope of salvation, as it is through the prompting of the Spirit that we are lead to seek Christ. To be abiding in the word, and to listen to the prompting of the Spirit of truth is how we will be able to live out God’s calling on our lives, and stand strong in the truth of God.
I agree with you Timothy it is ridiculous to claim that the works and gifts of the Spirit are dead. We have learned much from this podcast of how important the role of the Holy Spirit is in teaching, guiding, remembering and understanding the Word. The Holy Spirit is God and He is ever alive.
It is so unfortunate that so many hear words from pastor’s and professing Christians that the works and gifts of the Spirit are dead. Jesus spoke of a helper who would come in His place for all who believe. The Holy Spirit is very much alive and working, and gives us hope and encouragement to go on in such a dark world.
Timothy, I could not agree with you any more! I have also heard this from many people about the the gifts not being relevant for today, even as I sat on a women’s board at a church my husband I served in for years, we were told that we could not bring the gifts up, because it would make people “feel” “uncomfortable”
If we are to be a body of believers, and have a working relationship with the Lord without being in The Whole Truth and Word of God? It is only by HIS Spirit that we learn to trust, have faith, believe, and grow deeper. Thank you for sharing.