Christian
Counseling through Discipleship
As the entire country has exploded in the
field of Psychology and medicating the mentally ill, there
is a huge concern if this approach is the exact one that should be taken
alone. There is a growing
concern of prescription drug use, which is in fact simply medicating the
problem instead of
completely addressing it, so that the disorder can possibly be overcome. Could this be that God
has been taken out of the equation? In
the early field of Psychology there was little focus on
the spiritual healing of those that had been abused or terribly hurt by
problems, or associated with
things that left them incapable of facing on their own. Still today there is little focus on the spiritual
side of Psychology or the profession has little to say about Biblical
truths. In fact, they do
not include spiritual healing and restoration in their practices at all in
secular Psychology
It is of great hope that through some of
the information generated on three topics on the subject,
a clear conclusion can be drawn that could possibly change the course of how
the problems
have been addressed with those that are spiritual oppressed, tormented by
issues of pride,
and also the sins of the ancestors that may be also affecting their lives to
this day.
Psychology is clearly not the enemy,
although the precepts have not always led to lasting
results.
There have been many breakthroughs in
the development of disorders, and also
cognitive
therapies to change behavior patterns.
The problems that are associated with the
outcome
are that there has been little room, or attention given for using cognitive
therapies,
including
spiritual revelations, this had led the profession in a childlike state that
cannot heal
mental
illnesses. The fruits of its work alone
are not bearing the results that is needed in the dark
world
today. In order to broaden our paths of healing the
broken, the definition of truth must
be
defined, and there is no other answer that can ever supersede the ultimate
understanding and
healing
power of Jesus Christ.
Society has denied the roots of the
problem and it has been left with only a band aid for the cure,
and are neglecting the true healing source of redemption and restoration in the
lives that are spiraling
into a black hole of hopelessness.
Christians and the Churches can no longer afford to not
confront these issues. Christian
encourages must press on to be servants in the commission that
Christ has called them to be.
Neil Anderson addressed many of these
issues in his book Discipleship Counseling,
(Anderson,
Neil. T., 2003 Discipleship Counseling)
Anderson presents a huge amount of
information
that is being used among Christian professionals working in the Counseling
profession.
The information is very insightful and
gives great hope to the encourager to engage
on
some of these areas to help the growing numbers of people that are suffering.
Helping the Spiritually Oppressed
According
to Anderson (2003), he states “When we lack the expertise and the patience, we
resort to
some kind of power mode to correct people or circumstances”. (p 173) Anderson raises the
question in thoughts of what happens if the lights have been extinguished
within the Churches? He concludes there is great damage that
follows this path. Anderson
(2003) states below:
Pharisaic leaders in such ministries are more
concerned about controlling
others than about developing self-control. They do not want to set
their people free. They want to control
them. Such people have never really entered into
the experience of
spiritual life. They go to church and
critique the message and the music.
Dealing with spiritual bondage will draw
persecution and attacks according to Armstrong (2003).
Scripture is a reminder to pray for those that are persecuted or cursed. Some of the self-righteous
spirits that are in leadership positions will actually prevent those that are
seeking to come
to the truth as Anderson (2003) goes on to explain. (p 176). Legalism is not spirituality. It is
a religious man made tradition, and it can create a huge amount of
bondage. Jesus greatly warned
against this in Matthew Chapter 23. He
called them hypocrites that sought to close the doors
of the Kingdom that prevented those that needed it the most while turning them
away from the
truth. (Matthew 23:13).
There are many concerns of the spiritually
abused also, and this can also create
a lack of distrust, and also lead one down a path of complete hopelessness with
absolutely no
faith at all. The problems are in every
aspect of the world today. When dealing
with a broken
spirit it is extremely important to understand the fruits of the spirit, and
how to address ourselves
to them. Men and women of God must be led by the power
of the Holy Spirit. This is
what will prove our character and it is not of self-effort, but the working of
the Spirit that comes
through Christ. Galatians 6:22-25 (NT) but
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
If
we live by the Spirit so let us walk by the Spirit. This gives us the instructions of how we should
relate to those when we are encouraging or giving counsel to others. Anderson stated, “Satan has gained
access to people’s lives because of the openings they have given him”. To give lasting hope to
those that are dealing with spiritual oppression, there is a need to be fully prepared for spiritual
warfare, and know how to put on the helmet of salvation. This
is the greatest weakness of secular Psychology because these important issues
are not addressed.
According to Diane Langberg (2011) she
stated, “You see, trauma does not heal apart from
being
spoken and it needs to be heard in the context of a safe relationship where the
dignity of
the
one who has been crushed is restored”.
(p 3) She concludes that Christian encouragers are to
go,
and to patiently listen, be there is the face of the enemy, and do so in
love. Langberg (2011)
spoke
no truer words when she addresses the question of “Is not this what Christ did
for all”? To
be
Christ like is how love is reflected towards others, even in the very presence
of evil.
He
will equip those with the power of his Holy Spirit.
Overcoming the Issues of Pride
Pride
will always come before a huge fall according to scriptures. Becoming obsessed with the self-mode
will not make the best results in the counseling profession. Many fail to realize that this
very issue is what led to the downfall of Lucifer when he rebelled against God. Apart from the
Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. Humans
are born into pride, because of what happened in the
beginning of creation, when Eve wanted to have the equality of God. Anderson (2003) stated
that “hell is where people say, “My will be done.” Heaven is where we say, “Thy will be done.” Do you see the exact opposite of the
two? One is totally motivated to self,
and the other is
governed by the Spirit of God. So this
brings the subject to motive, and why people pursue what
they do. What appears to be a helpful
situation could in fact not be at all, if it is being ruled by
the spirit of pride. Anderson (2003)
continues to remind others, that helping people should be clothed
in kindness and humility towards others.
God is against the proud. Those
that are attended
with self-absorption are blind leaders.
Jesus constantly brings to our attention the working
of the Spirit. Those that operate
outside of the fruit of the spirit can be deceivers, and full
of themselves, so it would be an impossible task for them to encourage others
effectively. The
motive is false deception.
Anderson
(2003) stated that “the more we are able to accomplish by the grace of God, the
more susceptible
we are to pride. (p 295). It appears
that Anderson is trying to warn others than even in
grace, pride will come and sweep Encouragers away if they are led away in
boasting, because of
our good works. The works of an Encourager
are sacrificial, and they are done under the authority
of the Holy Spirit, and nothing that is done in themselves. We do these things to give glory
and honor to the Lord, and not to seek our own gratifications. It is His working power that gives
those the abilities, and the gift of the Spirit to walk beside others in the
healing process.
Others
must have teachable spirits in order to grow in maturity. Counseling is a muscle, constantly
flexing and growing in the process of helping others
Overcoming Ancestral Sins
Many people are born into dysfunctional
families. Often sins are passed down
from one generation
to the next according to Anderson (2003).
Anderson also states that “it is the final links
of bondage that have chained them to their past”.(p 329) Anderson continues to
address the occult
experiences in family heritage, and how it has a great influence on what people
carry around
with them. He states “Unless we make
concerted efforts to do otherwise, we will perpetuate
the habits, customs and traditions passed on in our families for generations.”
(p 330)
People
develop habits early on, and were not necessarily taught these things. It is a natural
reaction
to pick up things from those related to others.
It can be passed down for several
generations,
and many of these contracted habits can be harmful. Anderson states that “we are
not
guilty because of our parents sins. Yet
because they sinned, we are vulnerable to what they
have
taught and modeled for us”.
The Prophets in the Old Testament
warned us about the sins of ancestral decent.
According to
Anderson (2003) National or corporate repentance cannot happen effectively
without individual
repentance. (p 335) If past sins are
left to fester, they will be passed down to the next
generation. Anderson (2003) concludes
that “it is because we are new creatures in Christ that
we can actively choose and renounce the sins of our ancestors and stop the
cycle of abuse. (p338)
It
is however not encouraged to introduce this to those in the initial process,
unless the Lord brings
it to their remembrance. Encouraging
others in Christ is something that should be practiced,
and to put on the armor of God to fight the good fight. Anderson (2003) concludes in his
writing that Christ is our defense and we should never let the enemy set the
dinner table. In other
words, not to give too much credit on the enemies behalf. (p 339)
In helping others we want
them fully protected under the care and authority of Christ, and that by the
grace of God; others
can be fully equipped to help break any linkage that imprisons someone because
of generational
sins or curses.
According
to McMaken, Bonnie (March 2011) almost every family has secret roots that are
embedded
in their families. Sometimes it can be a
painful dig to get to the very root of the
problem
that sprang from our ancestors.
Generational sins can be hidden very well and are often
swept
under the rug to help protect younger generations. However if the family does not possess
the
proper knowledge to break destructive patterns, like addictions processes they
will be passed
from
one generation to the next. The cycle of
destruction can continue, and can be very
complicated
to discover the root of the problem. In
this case passing through the light, and the
knowledge
of truth according to God’s word it will very often expose dark secrets, or
possibly
bring
them into the mind of the counselee, and then they can be encouraged to walk
through the
process
to break free from the bondage that is keeping them imprisoned.
In
the closing argument, it should be addressed that we can walk side by side with
Psychologists
in the healing processes of redemption.
As Christians we acknowledge the job is
not
complete until Christ can work through the processes that surround the subject
Psychology. While there are many great discoveries in
this field, the Christian counselor fully
understands
that complete healing comes from Christ alone, and not secular theories or a
prescription
of drugs. Although these things may
temporarily aid the problem, it truly does not
heal
and restore the broken soul, nor will it give them the hope of eternity. It is a great hope that
these
fields will come together in their research, and examine the need of spiritual
revelation in
helping
those through whatever Mental Illness or addiction they may be facing. The most
important
thing of all is to remember that Christ was the most wonderfully powerful
Counselor
of
all, and that we would strive to model His pattern while working with broken
people.
References
Anderson,
Neil T. (2003) Discipleship Counseling:
The complete Guide to Helping Others Walk
In Freedom and Grow in Christ.
Ventura: Regal Books
Langberg,
Diane, PH.D (2011) Trauma as a place of
Service: A Traumatized Planet, She’s
my
sister,
a Bible Society initiative.
McMaken,
Bonnie (Mar 7, 2011) Do Our Parents’ Sins
Affect Us? Finding healing from
generational hurts and hang-ups.
