Can You Counsel?

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      Whatever problem you find yourself in, do you really want to find God's answers?  Sit down and write full answers to the following 3 questions.

1.  Are you willing to see your problem through the eyes of Scripture?  Why or why not?

2. Have you made a choice in your heart that you would change where needed?  Why or why not?

3. Will you take responsibility for your own actions, thoughts,etc and not blame someone or something else for what is happening in your life? Why or why not?

The answers you give will reflect possible reasons why you cannot find victory in the areas of life you see as problems.  Much of what is on this website can be used as personal study and application. 

 

 Maybe you need to talk to someone personally. Do you have a church home?  

   Some churches offer Biblical Counseling from those who have gone through a specific training. The emphasis here is Biblical counseling, not relying on the psychobabble of mixing the truth of God with the philosophies of man. Learning to apply the Scriptures to your life, guidance from mature Christians, prayer, being a part of a local fellowship and being involved in ministry can over time bring healing to your life.

   A mature Christian who cares enough to talk to you and share their time can mean a big difference in your life.  Mature in this context means someone who has grown in the Lord through Bible knowledge, service to others and has a good reputation throughout the church and with others.  If you are part of a truly caring church, there will be people there who will help you, sometimes by just being there when you need to share with someone about what is going on in your life.

  Any Christian can come alongside another Christian who is hurting in some way and minister the Word to them and pray. It should be obvious that only men would counsel men, and women to women. Married couples could also counsel together. Never put yourself in a situation where false accusations could be made, as in a man counseling a woman by himself.

Examples of a Mature Christian Who Can Minister to Others in the Church (Including Yourself)

Is this a person who really loves God?

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

Do they give evidence of loving other Christians?

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Are they showing evidence of growing in their own lives?

 (2 Peter 1:8).. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do they rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit?

 (Romans 8:5,6). "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,"

Do they apply the Scriptures to their own life?

 (2 Timothy 3:16,17)  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness ;so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Do they rely only on the Word of God.

(Hebrews 4:12)."For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."

Do they not bring in man philosophies

Maintaining sound doctrine ( I Timothy 1:9).'holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."

Do they Pray for others and believe that it is God Who guides and directs His children and answers their prayers?

(Ephesians6:18)."With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints",

Are they themselves teachable and under submission to Godly leaders in the Body of Christ ?

(Hebrews 13:17)."Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."

  You must be willing to hold all things in confidence, not being a gossiper. Being consistent, dependable, and responsible

(Philippians 4:8,9).."Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Are they discerning in the faith?—

 “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Are they a patient person?

  (James 1:4)"And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Are they Following their own scriptural role in the home?.

If someone is experiencing too many problems of their own, they may not be able to counsel someone else.  

(1 Timothy 3:4,5)  "He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity, but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?"