A. Christians may be intimidated into believing that
counseling should be left to the so-called "experts,” but the word of God
teaches a different belief.
1.
The professionals
in the field of psychology most often hold to a godless philosophy that views
man as nothing more than a highly evolved animal. How can Christians trust the counsel of such
men to give answers for their problems?
2.
Consider what
Psalm 1:1-2 says concerning the counsel of the wicked:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of
scoffers! But his delight is in the law
of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3.
The "law of the
Lord” has much to say concerning what man has termed as psychology, and it
differs greatly from the counsel of the wicked.
a. The word "psychology” comes from the Greek words psuche, meaning "soul,” and logos, meaning "word.” Who should be our source for a word about the
soul – God or man?
b. We have been deceived into believing that the Bible
does not address psychology because we don't read terms such as "anxiety
disorder” or "phobia” in our English translations. However, if we understand these problems in
Bible terms such as "worry” and "fear,” then we see that the Bible is filled
with good advice for counseling.
B. Presently, let us consider some of the most common
models for secular psychology and counseling in order to see their godlessness
and understand that Christians must not conform to them. Let us also consider the Biblical model for
counseling in order to take hold of it as an important work of our faith.
II. SECULAR MODELS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
A. Before noticing these models, let us consider their
effects on the thinking of Christians and all people.
1.
Many people turn
to therapy more than God's word. Even
Christians often consider that the Bible is inadequate to provide help for
their hardest problems (relationships, marriage, depression, etc.).
2.
Many people consider
their own personal feelings as the highest authority in their lives. This pure subjectivism is a poor standard for
governing behavior and only complicates problems.
3.
Many people don't
recognize that their problems are addressed by the Bible because those problems
have been renamed by secular psychologists.
a. Kleptomania is stealing; affairs are adultery; panic
attacks and phobias are fear; anxiety disorders are worry; road rage and
intermittent explosive disorder are anger; sexual addiction is fornication;
gambling addiction is covetousness, greed, and idolatry; co-dependency is fear
of man; low self-esteem is pride and self-pity; and gay/alternative lifestyles
are homosexuality.
b. When we use Bible terms for these problems, we give
hope for solutions. When we call them
disorders and diseases, there is no hope.
B. The most widely recognized model of psychology and
counseling is Sigmund Freud's Depth Psychology.
1.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
described himself by saying, "I am a God-hating Jew.” He said that "the religions of mankind must
be classed among the mass delusions” and that Christianity is "psychologically
impossible and useless for our lives.”
2.
Under Freud's
model, man is deemed to be an instinctual animal governed by the Id (carnal
desires working under the so-called "pleasure principle”), the Superego (the
laws, morals, etc. of the conscience,), and the Ego (the executive or governor
between Id and Superego).
3.
Depth psychology
defines problems as conflicts between Id and Superego. It finds that responsibility is not the
client's but someone else's. Thus,
Freud's model considers guilt to be false and nothing more than a feeling.
4.
Freud attempts to
solve problems by freeing the Id via psychoanalysis (delving into the past to
find who is at fault) and psychotherapy (redirecting feelings).
5.
The goal of Freudian counseling is to find the
source of the problem, shift the blame, label guilt as false, side with the Id,
and weaken the Superego (ignore the guilt feeling and conscience).
6.
The role of the
counselor is a necessary expert who digs into the client's subconscious.
C. Another common, secular model of psychology and
counseling is B.F. Skinner's Behaviorism.
1.
B.F. Skinner
(1904-1990) was a Harvard professor and an avowed atheist.
2.
According to
Skinner, man is a conditioned animal, a "blank slate,” and a slave to his
environment. Skinner wanted a model for
behavior that is purely scientific and based on nothing but environmental
factors.
3.
Skinner's model
defined problems in terms of environmental failure. Therefore, man is not responsible for himself,
and guilt is not important according to Skinner.
4.
Thus, problems
are solved by restructuring the environment to reward right behavior and
discourage wrong behavior. (Who decides
what is right or wrong?)
5.
Under
Behaviorism, the goal of counseling is to change the standard of behavior.
6.
The role of the
counselor is that of a technician who manipulates the client's environment to
produce the desired result.
D. A third secular model for psychology and counseling is
Carl Rogers' Third Force Psychology.
1.
This model was
developed by Rogers (1902-1987), Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), and other humanist
psychologists.
2.
Rogers described
man as merely an organism. He believed
that man is basically good, has potential within, and matures like a flower.
3.
Rogers asserted
that problems arise because man's environment hinders him and corruption comes
from without. Therefore, responsibility
for bad behavior and problems does not belong to the individual according to
Rogers.
4.
According to
Rogers, problems are solved by building self-esteem and creating "unconditional
positive regard.” This creates
arrogance, for people are told they are truly good no matter what they do.
5.
Under Roger's
model, the goal of counseling is to cause comfort with self and focus on
feelings and attitudes.
6.
The counselor is not
to explain, discuss, or give information to the client. Rather, the role of the counselor is to be a
mirror or sounding board, help the client realize his hidden potential, find
the solution within the client, focus on feelings, and dismiss guilt as unimportant.
III. THE BIBLCIAL MODEL OF COUNSELING
A. The Bible is filled with references to counseling, and
Christians need to recognize and embrace this work.
1.
Counseling is
simply giving instruction and advice to direct the judgment or conduct of
another.
2.
Every passage of
Scripture that speaks of teaching, admonishing, encouraging, leading, comforting,
or disciplining describes the work of counseling.
3.
Christians need
to know that they can do this work.
Notice Romans 15:14 – "And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am
convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge
and able also to admonish one another.”
See also Colossians 1:28; 3:16; 1Thessalonians 5:11, 14; 2Thessalonians
3:15; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25;
B. Consider the premises that form the Biblical model for
counseling.
1.
God is the source
of truth, His revelation to man it the Bible, and He has given us all we need
for life and godliness (John 17:17; 2Tim. 3:16-17; 2Pet. 1:3).
2.
Man is created by
God in the image of God to please God (Gen. 1:26-27; Eccl. 12:13; Isa. 43:7).
3.
Problems are caused
by directly or indirectly by sin. We are
affected by our own sins and the sins of others, both past and present (Rom.
5:12). Responsibility for sin belongs to
the sinner (Ezek. 18:4). Guilt is not
merely a feeling but is a real entity as the result of sin (Rom. 3:23).
4.
Problems are
solved through conformity with God's will.
Guilt is removed in justification by God's grace through our faith in
Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 2:11-14). Not
all problems can be corrected in this life, but God's word gives understanding
and trust needed to deal with them all.
5.
The purpose of
counseling is given in Colossians 1:28 – "We proclaim Him, admonishing every
man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man
complete in Christ.”
6.
The role of the
counselor is to teach the word of God and exemplify a faithful life.
IV. CONCLUSION
A. The many systems of secular psychology and counseling devised
by man are not totally devoid of useful methods and tools, but they are without
of the essential foundation of Jesus Christ.
B. Rather than following these systems of men, Christians
need to trust and follow the ancient plan of the gospel of Christ for solving
their problems and helping to solve others' problems also.
