Personal inside of a believer vs. non-believer

Personal inside of a believer vs. non-believer

         Let us look at the ‘personal inside’ of a un-believer. He is very

much out for himself, and he evaluates his life in terms of the world’s

value system. He behaves in a way to meet his own needs only, and

does not care about others. Basically he has believed the devil’s lie

about how to be a person. He is truly a child of the devil and thinks and

valuates an event based on the world, Satan, and programmes

unbiblically.

       How one thinks not only determines the range of behaviour form

which we may choose, but it also greatly influences how we feel. When

we analyse the psycho-anatomy of the un-believer above we come to

the following conclusions.

1. Thinking based on wrong world’s value system leads to negative

emotions, which will block compassion.

2. Emotions (depression, crippling guilt, resentment, frustration, or

anxiety) spring from deficit motivation caused by wrong thinking. Anxiety,

resentment, and guilt are the basic problem condition behind all other

personal difficulties.

      Let us look briefly at anxiety, resentment, and guilt which are emotions which can rise within a person. If not dealt Biblically these emotions can be crippling and destructive. These emotions can rise within us because of: 

Anxiety: is the fear that something we need will not be provided.

Resentment: comes from believing our needs are threatened by

something which God has allowed to happen to us.

Guilt: comes from believing what God provided is not enough and

then going outside of God’s will to secure what He has not provided.

 

        If we believe all that we need is God, and what He chooses us to

provide, we will not experience any of these emotions. If our thinking is

based on Scriptures, we will begin to evaluate events Biblically. We

may feel painful emotions, but a deep care, reality and compassion will

eventually follow.

        Only Christians whose needs are met in Christ is capable of

sustained compassion, no matter what the circumstances are.

Distinguishing mark of a Christian should be love, and a community of

believers getting along should have genuine love for each other.



The Psycho-anatomy of an un-believer

1. Notice that the wrong belief he has learned still enter his conscious

mind, but he deliberately values the world from a Biblical frame work.

2. Notice, the arrows between behaviour and compassion points both

ways: the more compassion I feel, the more compassionately I behave.

3. Christians’ perspective is to live for Christ. He behaves as God tells

him to, and evaluates his life from God’s perspective. This person has

a deep sense of his personal worth, and knows experientially the fruit

of the Spirit.

Carnal man:

 

  

A Christian living as a carnal man is still living for himself, and will

still evaluate the world from a false perspective. He will still behave

selfishly, disobediently, and without compassion. He thinks, acts, feels

and behaves like a un-believer and it is a tragedy.

The Psycho-anatomy of a believer.

          Holy Spirit provides the resources for transformation through the

normal mechanisms of the human personality we were built in. The

Spirit brings to our mind the necessary Scriptures suited for different

circumstances. The individual begins to recognize that no event can

rob him from God’s hand, and his personal worth is complete, significant,

and secured in Christ regardless of circumstances. The individual begins

to evaluate life events Biblically, and the Spirit of God helps the individual

to deepen his appreciation of God’s truth. 

           His Christian belief begins to seep down his basic assumption system, and slowly replaces  ‘wrong  beliefs’ he had from early child hood. He is on the process of sanctification, and he becomes mature, his inner man is changing. This individual regards himself as non-threatened and begins to express his worth in worship and service. This transformation depends upon the renewing of the mind with God’s pure inerrant Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Book References:

 

1. Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become

Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith: Marshall Pickering, 1985, p. 100-104).

2. John G. Kruis, Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling, ‘Progressive Sanctification’

(Grand rapids: Baker Books, 1988, 1994, 2000 p. 140-145).

3. Fearfully and Wonderfully made; ‘A Surgeon Looks at the Human & Spiritual Body’,

Dr. Paul Brand & Philip Yancey.

4. Jay E. Adams, ‘A theology of Christian Counseling; More than Redemption: How sin

affects Thinking’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979, p. 34-37)

5. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction

To Biblical Counseling, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”

(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994, p.341; 368-369; 371-372; 374-375; 382-

385 ;)

6. Jay E. Adams, ‘A theology of Christian Counseling; More than Redemption: How sin

affects Thinking’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979, p. 34-37)

7. Lucibel VanAtta, ‘Women Encouraging Women’ (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1987,

p.129-130)

8. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular

Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good

News Publishers, 2000, p.43-51) 

9. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand

rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 10-15)

10. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’

Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p. 338-340)

11. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic

Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, P.71-98; 375-388)

12. Jay E. Adams, ‘Competent to Counsel, ‘Introduction To Nouthetic Counseling’

(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970, p.78-100; 139)