Purpose

The purpose of this article is to think about a biblical perspective on Christian counseling. Modern secular counseling does not first go to God's Word for answers but instead relies on ideas of man. Paul says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, not according to Christ (Col 2:8). And, "according to human precepts and teachings (Col 2:22). And Phil 2:15 says that we live in a "crooked and twisted generation." These and many other scriptures show that human teachings like secular pschology and secular counseling are at odds with God's truth. We have tested the DSM-5-TR from the American Psychiatric Association, and found it wanting. For a Christian, everything should be tested by God's Word.

Many Christian counseling programs are not 100% relying on God's Word. There are many Christian counseling programs that are only partially prioritizing God's Word. Many put a lot of reliance on human wisdom (secular teaching). Of course the brain and human behavior can be studied by the non Christian. But we believe a Christian should filter everything by God's Word and should be wary of any secular teaching. If there is any assessment of any character or behavioral issue, the Bible will call it sin, and the secular mind will call it a disorder, often implying that it can be treated with their program. The mindset of secular psychology is so at odds with God's Word, there can be no real harmony. The only kind of counseling and therapy that is safe is the kind that puts God's Word as the number 1 priority for testing all things. The only good counseling is the kind that does not go the secular experts for guidance, but instead goes to God's Word for every sin, depression, obsession, and failing. As Paul says, "For you have died", so that he can say, "Put to death what is in you"... things that he calls "idolatry." Then he says, "On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away" (Col 3:3,5,7,8).

We are surprised to see so many Christians meddling with secular psychology and trusting the worldly experts. If someone is depressed, the first question should be to ask if we have been "blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation" (Phil 2:15), or if there is something to repent of. Perhaps we have chosen a sinful path, perhaps we do not fear God, perhaps we have lied to those in our life, and don't care about what God says. The way that leads to death is broad and most people are going down that path. The solution is not secular psychology, but rather encountering a God who is watching us all.

God does not make solutions to behavioral problems an academic excercise of college training. You might be using secular psychology and thinking you are healing and in fact making someone worse off in God's eyes. When the disciples encountered serious issues, Jesus at one point said this issue can only be helped by prayer. The Bible is the place all should go to for healing, but there is a spiritual war involved. God wants us to rely on Him and His Word, not on a secular training program. We consider secular psychology an enemy of true spiritual healing because the mindset of the secular mind is at odds with God's Word. We do not trust secular pschology, but we do trust God and His Word.

Below we will list YouTube videos with many Christian counseling thoughts on various behaviors and "disorders." We can find wisdom in some of the Christian counseling experts, but we need to be on guard as these experts have often been trained by a lot of secular pschology. But it is possible to know a lot about secular pschology and be fighting it, resisting it, and pursing God's Word as a first priority. So each Christian counselor can have wisdom and potentially deception. Knowing and tusting God's Word is essential as you review these so called "experts." Sometimes, a simple Christian who knows God's Word well, can be far better than a Christian counselor who foolishly trusts secular philosophy and psychology in dealing with human behavioral issues.

Youtube Playlists

Below is a list of some YouTube videos we have started to review.

YouTube: Biblical Counseling
youtube.com/playlist: Biblical Counseling

YouTube: Psychology
youtube.com/playlist: Psychology

YouTube: Depression
youtube.com/playlist: Depression
  youtube.com/AaronKim
    JohnWoodward/bio/

YouTube: Adult Children Home
youtube.com/playlist: Adult Children Home

YouTube: Marijuana
youtube.com/playlist: Marijuana (private)

YouTube: Discernment
youtube.com/playlist: Discernment

Drunkenness (Secular)
niaaa.nih.gov/moderate-binge-drinking
https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/whats-standard-drink https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/why-do-women-face-higher-risks-alcohol-related-consequences niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-body
niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-and-young-adults-ages-18-25
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-related-emergencies-and-deaths-united-states
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol
https://medlineplus.gov/alcohol.html https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet

Drunkenness vs Being High
newhorizonscentersoh.org/blog/being-drunk-and-being-high
amenclinics.com/blog/alcohol-or-marijuana-which-is-worse-for-your-brain/
nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana