Bible Teaching About the Christian Counseling Objective

The Bible teaching about the Christian counseling objective is unique – and intriguing. What is the end result for people? To fulfill our potential as a human? To follow the Ten Commandments? To act like our favorite preacher? To get in touch with our emotions?

It gets confusing – until we look at Holy Scripture. Eureka! The ultimate aim is to be like Jesus Christ! Let me show you. Some of this gets a little technical, but I will try to keep it interesting.

My goal is to string together several biblical concepts and words, like luminous diamonds from Australia linked in a dazzling necklace. Taken together, they form a stunning, lucid picture of the goal of Christian counseling: to be like Jesus.

Christian Counseling Objective: Transformation

Paul wrote, “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit is transforming our lives (and that of our counselees) to be like Christ.

The word Paul uses for “transform” is a combining of two Greek words: meta, which implies a change, and morphe, which means form. It is where we get the English word, “metamorphosis”.

The word stresses a change in the inner nature that outwardly expresses itself in character and conduct. You and I are not like Jesus yet, but that is God’s purpose for His people. If you are a counselor, or find yourself counseling, then your task is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in what He is doing in the other person’s life. It makes your job easier. Don’t you think?

Christian Counseling Objective: Conformed

Again, I turn to Paul, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Here the meaning of conformed (summorphos) is to have the same form as another, and includes our resurrected body as indicated in Philippians 3:21).

The second word in this verse is “image” (eikon). In this context, it contains two ideas: representation and manifestation. It does not carry the idea of perfection. In other words, Jesus represents who we are to be like, and who we are to act like.

We can conclude, then, that the objective of Christian counseling is to guide people to be like Jesus. He is the ultimate end of our counseling process. That process, remember, is never fully completed in this life.

Christian Counseling Objective: Completeness

Paul confirms that his ministry involved the following, “And we proclaim Him admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:28, 29).

Paul is saying that his objective in ministry is to present people “complete” in Christ. He has in mind the salvation and spiritual maturity of individuals. Spiritual maturity means to be growing into the likeness of Christ – a defining direction and definite destination.

Christian Counseling Objective: Christian Love

Christian Counseling Objective: Righteousness and Holiness

For the next principle in the Bible teaching the Christian counseling objective, we turn to another critical section of Scripture, “in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Paul tells us to “put off” (lay aside) certain things, “put on” other things, and that the process involves being “renewed” in the mind. The word for “renewed” comes from the compound “ananeoo,” which combines the prefix often meaning repetition, intensity, reversal, etc. with the second part that means fresh, new, or young.

Taken together, we conclude that with vigor and repetition we are to make our mind fresh and new – under the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. What is in your mind tumbles out in your behavior. Same with me.

Beginning of Humanity

The Bible teaching about the Christian counseling objective indicates the categories of human experience that need changed. You can pick out some of the things to “put off” in Ephesians 4:17-21. The verses describe minds of futility, darkened in understanding, and ignorant.

You see the unsaved are excluded from the life of God because of the darkness of mind and hardness of heart, and also they have undesirable patterns of moral behavior: sensuality, impurity, and greed. These actions also involve relationships with other people.

The verses following the “put on” verse of 24 suggest similar categories. Spiritual issues are also addressed as verse 27 informs you and I that we have opposition from the devil (cf. Ephesians 6:10-20). Paul inscribes other contrasting inventories. They include Galatians 5:16-26, and Colossians 3:1-14.

Beyond these and other lists, you can enter an exciting study of the life of Christ: His mind, behavior, relationships, perspective, spiritual life, etc. From Him you can identify and understand healthy patterns and dynamics of human experience.

The Areas of Change

What does the Bible teaches about the areas of change as they relate to the Christian counseling objective? The different areas of change can be summarized as mental, spiritual, behavioral, character, and relationships. It is in these areas that you can explore and probe with your client, to locate deficiencies, and bring healing, help, hope, encouragement, instruction, and correction.

As a final caveat, don’t overlook the biological causes of psychological disorders.

From this Bible teaching about the Christian counseling objective, Esmie and I sincerely pray for your continued success and enjoyment as you enter into the lives of other people to bring hope, changed perspectives, and new skills.

Dr. Willis and Esmie Newman

BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Study Mark 7:20-23. What kinds of psychological disorders could you expect to see in people, based on what Jesus said? Explain.
2. Study Romans 12:9-21. According to the Bible teaching about the goal of Christian counseling, what principles do you find that will help people in their relationships? Explain.
3. Study Ephesians 6:10-20. What are some spiritual problems you could expect to see in people?
4. According to Ephesians 6:10-20, what are some principles you can see that will help people overcome any spiritual problems?
5. Study Colossians 3:1-17. In line with the Bible teaching about the goal of Christian counseling, list the negative things that are harmful to a person’s character. How do you think these qualities harm a person’s life experience?
6. According to Colossians 3:1-17, what are the positive qualities that offset the harmful qualities you listed in question six?
7. According to Romans 3:21-28, how does the teaching relate to a person’s feelings of guilt? (cf. Romans 8:1).
8. According to Romans 12:2, what is a major mechanism of bringing change in a person’s life?
9. Study Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:18-21. What role do you think the Holy Spirit plays in a person’s growth and development?
10. What stood out to you the most from this Bible study?