Christian Counseling through Discipleship

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.