Introduction: Occassionally I like to give the readers of this blog the opportunity to read materials written by others. I call these blogs: Guest Blogger blogs. My wife Debi is currently studying for her Bachelor of Science Degree in Christian Counseling at Liberty University. She recently wrote a paper on "Battling the Unseen in Christian Counseling". I believe you will find what she wrote insightful and informative. May the Lord bless you dear reader and thanks for stopping by the blog.
Battling the Unseen in Christian Counseling
by Deborah Smith
Abstract: This paper will explore three themes in
Christian counseling as explained in Neil T. Anderson’s book, Discipleship Counseling. First, can Christian counseling in some cases
offer aid that clinical psychology and psychiatry cannot using the Holy,
inspired, inerrant Word of God? Second,
the Bible states that mankind consists of more than just physical
components. Humans are made up of body,
soul, and spirit. If this is true, can
the spirit realm affect a person’s mental wellbeing? Is there an enemy to the soul of man that
desires to destroy and keep its victims bound and unproductive? Thirdly, deception is one of the most
de-habilitating weapons in the enemy’s arsenal.
If lies can be spoken into the minds of people and allowed to fester
there, the individual over time will begin to believe the enemy’s accusations
and will accept these falsehoods as truth.
How can one fight these lies and protect their minds against future
deception? The Bible, in the hands of a
counselor surrendered to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, can disciple
a person bound by the ploys of the enemy into a life of freedom and fellowship
with God.
Introduction
When one looks at a person they can see
their physical body. With the right
medical equipment and training, a doctor can even see their internal organs and
evaluate what might be amiss. Even human
behaviors can be observed and opinions can be rendered based on what is
seen. However, what about the areas of men
and women that remain unseen?
Dr. Neil T. Anderson in his book, Discipleship Counseling, aids Christian
counselors in understanding that there is more to humans that what can be
observed with physical eyes. There is a
spiritual realm that consists of the human spirit as well as the supernatural
that also plays a part in why people think and do the things they do. This is not an area that psychology or
psychiatry focuses on and a Christian counselor armed with the Bible can aid a
counselee, resulting in breaking free from dangerous deception of the enemy of
our souls.
Christian Counseling
vs. Secular Behavioral Sciences
The studies of psychology and psychiatry
attempt to answer the questions of why we behave and think in certain ways
based on scientific evaluation of what is seen.
With a certain amount of success, doctors in these fields can address
the physiological symptoms that they observe. “They are observing what the
Bible calls the flesh in the vast majority of cases”. (Anderson, 2003, p.
27)
Dr. Anderson points out that scientific
research can be helpful in illustrating behaviors consistent in sinful humanity,
but there are limitations that keep behavioral sciences from shedding light on
the nature of man that remains unseen.
For example, science not rooted in Christ tries to prove that mankind is
“an evolutionary product of our past environment and shaped by our individual
choices”. (Anderson, 2003, p.27) With all of its research science cannot
explain the supernatural, prove or disprove the existence of God, or how faith
works in the life of an individual. (Anderson,
2003)
Man is both material and immaterial. The material aspect of man is the physical
body as can be observed and experienced.
The immaterial consists of the soul and spirit, with the heart of man at
the center. (Anderson, 2003) The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your
heart,
for everything you do flows from it”. (Proverbs 4:23, New
International Version)
Oswald Chambers explains the heart this
way:
“According to the Bible the heart is the centre: The centre of memory, the
centre of mercy, the centre of damnation and of salvation, the centre of God’s
working and the centre of the devil’s working, the centre from which everything
works which moulds the human mechanism.” (Chambers,1912, p.100)
How would secular science be able to
observe and treat the condition of the human heart? Only God can read a heart. (Romans 8:27)
What happens when something goes wrong in the heart of a man or
woman? God has given humanity a gift
called the Bible. It is through the
Bible that people can understand how to live, function, and respond in a
fallen, sin sick world and a Christian counselor can point a person with a
heart hungering for God in the right path.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy
3:16-17, New International Version)
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