61: The Lord is Counselor

61: The Lord is 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.

Resources:

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