The Truth about Psychology in the Church
Psychological Counseling in the Church of Jesus Christ
Psychological Counseling and
The Church of Jesus Christ
What Scripture Says About Psychological Counseling
Psychology - and the Body of Christ
Like the rest of the world, most of the "church world" has accepted psychology
as a valid means to help God's people. In the majority of churches
today, instead of dealing with and exposing sin in a scriptural manner (which
upsets people), the leaders send the saints to the psyche doctors. In fact,
in many churches the leaders are psyche doctors or they have one on "staff".
They have come up with great "churchy" sounding names for these new "ministries"
, Christian Counselor, Pastoral Counselor, etc.
But What Does God Have to Say About This?
The following will clearly show the heart and mind of God on this issue.
The Care & Feeding of the Christian Flesh
Before we can look at this subject we must find a scriptural description of
the flesh.
What is the flesh?
Greek #4561 FLESH = SARX = flesh - meat of an animal -
body as opposed to spirit - symbolic of external human
nature - human beings - carnal mind of man (natural man)
- unregenerated mind of man.
So we can see when we refer to the flesh we are talking about the soul
realm of the natural man that has not been brought into subjection to the
Spirit of God.
What is the nature of the flesh? (according to God)
The best description of the flesh is found in:
Gal 5:16-2516
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of
the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do
not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts
of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time
past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
see esp. verses 19 - 20 - 21 ... in this we can see that ALL the problems men
have are simply fruit of their flesh. They are just "doing what comes naturally".
What Does God Think of Our Flesh
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that
you do not do the things that you wish.
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
NO provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God
There are many more scriptures on the subject, but we should get the full
message from these three. God has no use for the flesh - it is against God
and we must deal with it according to scripture.
What am I to do with my flesh?
The word of God is clear on how we are to treat our flesh.
Romans 13:14 Make NO provision for the flesh
Gal 5:24 Those who are alive to Christ, have crucified the flesh.
Again:
Romans 8:8 If you live in the flesh, you cannot please God.
Romans 8:13 If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the
Spirit; you put to death the deeds of the body, you will LIVE
Do you see it? We are to Crucify the flesh, we are not to let our natural man
do anything. HE HAS TO DIE, so that we can please God and live. We are
not to try to understand our flesh, we are not to make provision for our flesh.
WE ARE TO KILL IT (Crucify it). We have no need for anything beyond the
Word of God. He says crucify it, man (psychology) says - understand it -
"...but - but - you know it's not my fault, help me understand..."
NO! NO! Just crucify anything that is not according to the Word of God
Then you will LIVE!
How Did Jesus (our example) Handle His Flesh?
Let's look at John 5:19-30
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I
say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He
sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does
in like manner.
20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that
He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than
these, that you may marvel.
21 "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them,
even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
22 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement
to the Son,“
23 "that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who
sent Him.
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and
believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not
come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now
is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and
those who hear will live.
26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the
Son to have life in Himself,
27 "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also,
because He is the Son of Man.
28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who
are in the graves will hear His voice
29 "and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection
of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection
of condemnation.
30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My
judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but
the will of the Father who sent Me.
esp. verse 30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My
judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but
the will of the Father who sent Me.
Jesus did not ever allow His flesh control. He at all times, in all things,
controlled His flesh. His Spirit was always in control as the above scripture
commands us to do. It certainly worked for Him, and since He came as our
example it will surely work for us if we do it God's way.
The Devil Made Me Do It - - - HOGWASH!!!!!!! Again, let's look at scripture.
If we are going to profess to be Christians and try to walk with God, then it's
time we come to the place where we go to scripture to understand everything.
According to God's Word the devil cannot make you do anything. It is not
his fault, It's your fault! James 1:12-16
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has
been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the
Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by
God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He
Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his
own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Note verse 14, we are tempted when we allow who to draw us away?
OUR FLESH, that's who, when we let the natural (carnal) man
have control. Verse 25 says clearly that if we do as the word
requires, we will be blessed.
James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and
continues in it,and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this one will be blessed in what he does.
It's time the Body of Christ was taught the TRUTH. Satan has no
authority or control over you unless you allow it.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he
will flee from you.
verse 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Do you see it now? Get close to God - crucify your flesh and do what scripture
says to do and you will LIVE. God never promised the wonderful, trouble
free life that most radio-tv and other ministries preach. This is a great thing to
teach if you desire to cause men to follow you. But God never made these
promises. He promised good health and life. Jesus told us we would have
trouble and be rejected of men if we follow Him, but... He said if we persevere
(hold on) till the end we would not die, but LIVE forever with God.
I am not going to show the roots of psychology here, the ungodly evil men
that founded the movement or the ungodliness that always follows it. Nor will
I go into a discussion of the fact that they have never helped anyone. Maybe
delayed the inevitable, but never has one person been healed by psychology.
To be healed according to scripture means to LIVE FOREVER.
I will however show what psychology is according to scripture.
Pysche the mind, esp. the governing part of a person - natural part of a
person - carnal person = FLESH
Psychology is the unscriptural act of understanding the flesh so that provision
can be made for it.
"Behold I set before you today, a blessing and a curse: The blessing, if you
obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today;
and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your
God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after
other gods which you have not known.
... Deuteronomy 11:26-28
"Choose you this day, who you will serve"