Biblical Counselling = Becoming More Like Jesus

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So, what is Biblical Counselling anyways? Well, here is a definition for you to think about:

Biblical counselling happens when believers help other believers become more like Jesus by renewing the rehearsal of their minds in Scripture (worship), engaging their heart’s desires through conversation in Christ-like community (grow), and enlisting their body to share the hope of Jesus with their neighbour by doing what is right (serve).

In short, Biblical counselling helps believers become more like Jesus in every area of their life.

Everyone struggles. Everyone is affected by sin in their own life and the sin of others (suffering). Whether in the rehearsals of the mind (fear, worry, anxiety, depression, identity, etc.), desires of the heart (cravings/lust, lifelong dreams, hopes, expectations, motives, emotions, etc.), and/or actions of the body (behaviour and speech). The question is not whether everyone struggles in these areas; the question is how do you deal with it? What kind of counsel do you seek regarding these struggles?

Everyone gives counsel — whether to ourselves, loved ones, or those who ask for it (and sometimes to those who do not). The question is not “do you give counsel.” The question is, “how biblical are you in your counsel?” This is not to say that those who know the Bible and belong to God do not struggle with sin or suffering. Christians struggle with sin and suffering (Rom. 8:18-30; 2 Cor. 5:2). Yet, those that belong to God approach them differently. This can cause some questions to arise. If you are becoming more like Jesus, does it mean that depression, worry, anxiety, and fear will not be a part of your life? Must you overcome these first before you can become like Jesus? What does becoming more like Jesus have to do with how I handle emotional struggles? Does God’s Word even say anything about these struggles? The Bible not only has answers to these questions (2 Pet. 1:3-4), but it also equips believers to walk others through these questions (2 Tim. 3:16). The authoritative source on life and godliness is the Bible. In short, Biblical Counselling means helping believers become more like Jesus in all areas of their life in Christ-like community by applying the Word of God to their struggles.

In short, Biblical Counselling means helping believers become more like Jesus in all areas of their life in Christ-like community by applying the Word of God to their struggles.

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Everyone needs godly counsel. From the Garden of Eden to everyone here at Central, me included. So how do we as a church family get better at helping each other become more like Jesus when tempted with sin and persevering through suffering? Well, here are three helpful questions we should be in the habit of asking ourselves and each other regularly:

1. “Why do I do what I do?”
2. “What am I wanting so bad that I am willing to sin to get it or sin if I don’t get it?”
3. “How does God want me to respond?”

Here is your challenge: take a conflict/struggle you had this week and put it through these three questions, or ask a Christian friend to help you walk through them. Let me know how it goes.