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163: The Lord as Counselor
In this episode, we will consider what counseling is from a Biblical perspective. We must understand that the Lord is the counselor, not us and not the trained professional. One of the titles given to Jesus in the Bible is “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). As Christians we are instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands. We must point people to Jesus Christ who is the Wonderful Counselor. Jesus Christ is the expert and people need a relationship with Him. If someone does not know Jesus Christ, we must help them to know Him so that they can begin to receive His counsel. When someone is born again, when they have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ they can listen and apply His counsel and be sanctified. Jesus Christ can empower people to live out the truth through the Holy Spirit. Several things happen when you counsel God’s way; you listen and asking good questions, give hope, pray for them, get into the word, and send them with homework. Homework is an important part of counseling God’s way. Good homework will set them up with an appointment with the true counselor, Jesus Christ.
All wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus Christ. “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3). If Christ has all wisdom and knowledge, then we do not need to consult any other source for the answers to life’s problems. Christ and His Word are sufficient for life’s problem. Most people do not want to do it God’s way. They prefer life hacks, or other superficial ways to fix their problems that do not involve a relationship with Jesus.
There are two ways of counseling that exist; counseling man’s way and counseling God’s way. Counseling man’s way is built on a worldview of humanism and worldly wisdom, while counseling God’s way is built on Jesus Christ and His Word. The worldview of Humanism is man’s wisdom and contradicts the biblical worldview. Integration of the wisdom of man into counseling God’s way does not work, it is not good or necessary.
When we are walking with Jesus and are renewing our mind in His Word, we can see the world clearly from a biblical perspective. No matter what is going on in the world, we have the answers, and we can have peace. There are many leaders and people in the media who are not walking with Jesus and who cannot see clearly. The Lord can help anyone who comes to Him see clearly and He gives us the answers that we need. A relationship with Jesus Christ is the anchor of Biblical Counseling. We must look to His Word, the Bible. “For the word of God is living and active,” (Hebrews 4:12a). What the Bible says is true and authoritative for our lives. It is clear, trustworthy, inerrant (without error), and inspired by God. It truly is sufficient for our lives. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:19a). We must look to Jesus Christ and point others to Him, the Wonderful Counselor.
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How wonderful. A reminder that Christ is the Wonderful Counselor. Col. 2:3 reminds us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. We assign homework, and whether the person knows it or not, we are setting them up with the “real” counselor 🙂
Sometimes I’m surprised when people talk about “Christians” not believing the Word of God. I’m sure it’s true, even though I don’t understand how they could not believe. There is no doubt in my mind, and I will continue to follow God’s Word, and use it for discipleship. It’s our only hope.
Walking daily with the Lord and being in his word is key to growing in understanding of what the Lord has for us. He will continually use his word to instruct us in the way in which we should go.
An abiding in the word of God is the key to finding resolution to all our issues. This was a great reminder of that fact. In spite of our business of life, that should be the rock and foundation we turn back to. We have literally been given the living breathing word, voice, and will of God for guidance, teaching, and the truth for our lives. As Christ followers, we should be sent apart from the world; that they would look at us and think “what do they have that’s is so different and impactful, that they have such peace and strength in this crazy world?”
The comment that many times people don’t have the patience to build a relationship with Christ really struck me. Many that I talk to want the quick fix, or want a scripture pointed out to them so they can fix their problem. Many years ago that was my issue. I wanted the Lord to fix my problems but I wasn’t willing to give him my time. Like any other relationship a relationship with Christ takes work on our behalf if we really want to live in His power. He will not be satisfied with just a piece of me, He wants all of me. When that realization hit, that’s when my life changed, and I hope to share that with those that the Lord brings my way.
Amen!! In regards to people wanting a quick fix; one saying that I have heard multiple times from a fellow counselor is “God’s will is my Redemption not my relief.” And that is so true. God calls us to sanctification, he does not just provide a spiritual band-aid. Our relief may be a part of our sanctification, but it is not the ultimate goal.
I love that quote! I’m going to have to borrow that.
Very good ! I agree with you Tim, and Angela 🙂
Angela, very well said. I was thinking the same thing, but forgot to write it. Thank you for the reminder. It has taken me years to get to where I am in Christ. And I’m still a work in progress 🙂
What a joy to know that I can look to Jesus who is the Wonderful Counsellor to find wisdom and knowledge in Him. Wisdom and knowledge in a Person not man’s theories. Walking with the Lord and reading the Word has opened my heart and mind to truth that I would not have known that has brought such freedom and victory in my life. When I stumbled upon a study in Biblical Counselling I had no idea how my life would have been totally transformed but everyday I’m grateful for discovering and the Holy Spirit teaching me about the sufficiency of scripture and how the truths of scripture can be used in Counselling. I appreciate Pastor Jeff encouraging us to place our trust in Jesus and not our academic qualifications. Relying on the Holy Spirit teaches me dependence. I am just an instrument in the Redeemer’s hands. God has entrusted much knowledge from the Scriptures to us so let us be faithful to pass on through discipleship these same truths that have changed us so others can be changed by God as well.
It really is so important that people seeking counsel build a foundation on God’s Word. An all out assault has been waged to minimize scripture, sadly even in many churches, and these scriptures show why. We have an enemy that doesn’t want us to gain the wisdom and knowledge that God can give us. I love Colossians 2:2 because I love how it sets up verse 3. It tells us that we can attain the riches of full assurance of understanding. Of knowing God and knowing that in Him, as verse 3 points out are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I also love how Hebrews 4:12-13 is supported by verse 11, which talks about entering into God’s rest so that we can walk away from disobedience. Why? Because His Word is alive and active. He sees everyone and everything and no situation is hidden from Him. He truly knows us. It is vital, I believe, to recapture the eminence of God’s Word in our hearts and of those who come to us for help. Man’s wisdom and knowledge often dies at the next “great” discovery of men or popular self-help book. God’s Word and wisdom never dies and is never irrelevant and the best part to me, it never changes with the whims of culture.
As I looked up the definition of sufficient, I found; Enough; equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; competent. I love that sufficient can be defined as enough, it reminds me that it’s all I need! He is all I need! And as the apostle Paul states in 2 Cor. 3:5-6 (amp), “Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgements or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. It is He who qualified us (making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient) as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant (of salvation through Christ), not (ministers) of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code (of the Law) kills, but the (Holy) Spirit makes alive.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, and His Word is sufficient. I am His instrument to share the hope that is found in Him! He is enough!
Thank you for looking up that definition. The disappointment comes when we lose sight of the fact that Christ is enough and nothing else can satisfy or bring peace into our lives.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for your insight and counsel for us. A question that spoke to me and made me pause was “Do you have patience for God?” I don’t recall if you said that or not, but I wrote it down.
You said that we are to have a deep relationship with God and a steady obedience to the Word and God. This right here had me think, so many times this is just it! We don’t have the patience for God, as the society we live in, we want it now! Quick fixes, like you said “easy life hacks” but no real solution. The only solution is God. We are to have a renewed mind by Jesus and live in HIS presence. So much I took from this podcast. Thank you! I needed this and always need Jesus to counsel me, may we always abide in Christ.
Thank you Pastor Jeff a great reminder that the Lord is the counsellor. Yes to the fact that sanctification is steady obedience in a forward direction. And that in the believer’s life it is knowledge + application that makes the difference [I was just reflecting on that topic].
How marvelous that ALL wisdom and knowledge is hidden in Christ. we need look no further. Also loved the reminder that the Lord will always counsel unto discipleship!
Great reminder for us, that counseling someone is not to counsel and be done. Like so many do in the secular world, we leave the counselee with even better! We show them Jesus and The wonderful word of God! The goal is discipleship, Of course repentance if needed and salvation, with that comes Discipleship and leading others to The Lord.
So true sister that goal of discipleship gives us as Biblical Counsellors a clear path when we counsel others. Showing them Jesus whether for salvation, or in discipleship we have the perfect model that we can keep central in our Counselling Jesus our Savior.