We uphold the sufficiency of Scripture in counseling people’s lives.

Many claim to believe in the Bible, yet they rely on human wisdom than divine revelation to handle life’s problems.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul tells Timothy that all Scripture is “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

 

In this passage, we discover the origin of Scripture (“breathed out by God”), the use of Scripture (“for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”), and the result of Scripture (“complete, equipped for every good work”).

 

Jesus makes it clear that God’s truth sanctifies us and makes us holy (John 17:17). The Psalmist tells us that Scripture is “perfect,” “sure,” “right,” “pure,” “true,” and “righteous” (Psalm 19:7-9). It revives the soul and brings wisdom, joy, and enlightenment to a person’s mind and heart. Therefore, the Bible is trustworthy and sufficient to guide people into maturity and through all life’s struggles and dilemmas.

 

There are all kinds of human problems that arise in a sinful world and many different definitions of counseling. While the objective of secular psychological counseling is self-centered (e.g. self-actualization, self-fulfillment, self-esteem), the Bible tells us that we do not live for ourselves but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Therefore, biblical counseling is Christ-centered counseling.

 

The goal of biblical counseling is maturity in Christ, being conformed to his image (Colossians 1:28; Romans 8:29). We are to develop Christ-likeness and not self-actualization. This is how God is glorified in our lives. Therefore, we can define biblical counseling this way:

 

Biblical counseling is to admonish, encourage, and instruct people with the authority of the Bible so that they become Christlike for the glory of God.

 

Secular psychological counseling’s intention is not to lead people to Christ or become Christlikeness but self-fulfillment and self-actualization. It cannot reveal people’s hearts and true needs (Jeremiah 17:9). Only God and His searching truth reveal people’s hearts and sinful practices that cause personal problems (Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 4:12).

 

While modern psychology has many divisions, biblical counseling addresses the heart issue and a person’s thoughts pattern (Romans 12:2). It confronts or admonishes wrong thinking (Colossians 1:28, 3:16; Acts 20:31) and is sufficient to bring about life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). It does not concern itself primarily with alleviating struggles and trials in life. Rather, it seeks spiritual maturity developed through trials and temptations (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4). Biblical counseling is a means of making disciples of Jesus Christ.