God’s Word and the New age Spirituality.

The centrality of the Cross of Christ is the true Gospel and without mentioning this important aspect the hope of salvation for mankind is totally lost. Any other message without Jesus Christ dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world should be a great concern for the church, the Bride of Christ. This can be used as a plumb line to discern truth from an error and in order to discern this we must pay attention very closely to the counsel of God. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:27-28.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jn 3:16

What is new age belief?

Bible is not considered as inerrant and reliable without error. Much weight is given to mystical spiritual experiences and has more authority even if they contradict with God’s Word written in the Scriptures. Their belief is that God is in all things, because God is allegedly “in” every atom which is the smallest particle of an element. Quantum Physics, Chaos theory, fractal theory are used by new agers and Occultists to scientifically prove that God is in everything.

I happened to read the book Shack and noticed that Bible is consistently devalued and marginalized and it is directed towards the New Age belief that ‘mystical experiences with God’ is more authoritative even if they conflict with the Scriptures. Through out this book the word creation is spelled with a capital letter ‘C’ many times and emphasizes that “God’ is the ground of all beings, dwells in, around, and through all things (pg.112). Having studied Quantum Physics, I noticed that this book subtly introduces Quantum Physics, Chaos theory, fractal theory by referring to “quantum stuff” (pg 95). It refers to “subatomic level”(pg.95); “chaos” (pg. 128); and ‘fractals” (pg. 129) along with the strong teaching that God is in every sub atomic particles, and every atom (pg 112).

What is simplicity in Christ?

The Word of God talks about the simplicity of Christ in 2 Cori 11:3. Jesus Christ lived with very ordinary people, challenged the educated Pharisees and church leaders and choose the fishermen to spread the Gospel. I am afraid we may not need the Quantum Physicists, cellular biologists, mathematicians, New age channelers, and Doctors in different fields to finally understand what Jesus Christ was trying to teach us back in His days. I believe this is the deceptive work of our adversary as he tries to transform the creation into the creator.

In the Book of Romans, Paul wrote that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and when we accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are free from our sins and are saved. Other Scriptural references which support the above statement are Rom 3:23-24; Rom 5:6; Rom 6:23; and Rom 8:1; “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” It is the unspeakable privilege of all those that are in Christ Jesus, that there is now no condemnation to them. Paul being a learned man, and anticipating Quantum physics and Quantum spirituality warned Timothy not to become spiritually compromised by pseudo-Scientific teachings; 1 Tim 6: 20-21; “O, Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee; Amen.”

Jesus Christ is Lord and His name is above all name; Phil 2:9. Definitely He is not the “Jesus” of the New age or New Spirituality, and not the “Quantum Christ” of this deceived world and the apostate church. May we not forget that Satan is the god of this world; 2 Cori 4:4, and we are to stand against the schemes of him; Eph 6:11. As we move closer to the second coming of Christ, the Word of God makes very clear references to many deluding spirits which will manifest with increasing intensity and effectiveness. It is written in God’s Word that in the last days even the elect will be deceived; Mat 24:24. This creeping New age and deception will slowly advance at a speed that is not really apparent to the church if we are not careful until one look back over a long period of time.

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat.” Gen 3: 6. Eve took of the fruit, while it had the appearance of something good, and the consequences of her partaking were detrimental. Very often many of us think ‘satanic’ is something dark and sinister and forget that the Bible paints him, as the angel of light! Satan said, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa 14:14. He did not say that he will be the Most High, but he would be like the Most High. The word “like” here means to ‘correspond to’ or ‘equivalent to’. Beloved, it is important to understand that here Satan is trying to eradicate the gap between himself and God!

Apart from the Divine revelation we can not know anything absolutely because our minds have been adversely affected by sin. In our fallenness our sinful minds tent to distort the truth. The only way we can think rightly is to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Rom 1:18-32; 12:2; Eph: 4:23. In our finiteness and fallenness we have no standard by which we can evaluate whether something is true of false except by the Word of God. I will have a healthy skepticism about any theory or insight that does not proceed from Scripture.

References:

1. Warren B. Smith, “ A Wonderful Deception” The Further new Age Implications of the Emerging/ Purpose Driven Movement, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, 2009; Pgs: 139-161.

2. The Shack, William P. Young; Amazon.ca.

3. Ray Yungen, “A Time of Departing” How Ancient Mystical Practices are uniting Christians with the World’s Religions, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, U.S.A, 2002; pgs: 91-110.

4. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.

Websites:

1. Do not be deceived about the Restrainer - Last Days Mystery

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the .... to deceive even the elect--if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24). ...
www.lastdaysmystery.info/restrainer.htm - Cached -

2 .Deceive Even the Elect by Dene McGriff

DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT. Matthew 24:24b. By. Dene McGriff. The Bible tells us thatin the “last days” Christian will deliver up Christian, thinking they are ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../deceive_even_the_elect.htm - Cached - Similar

3. Recognizing Deception and Apostasy Chapter 15 - Can Christians be ...

Do we think the great deception of the last days will be obvious? The Bible ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../ch15_can_christians_be_deceived.htm -Cached - Similar

Show more results from the-tribulation-network.com

4. The Shack; The protagonist of author William P. Young's novel meets God in person. Features author's personal story, blog, online ordering, forum, and news.

The Missy Project - Get the latest news about The Shack - The Shack Interactive

www.theshackbook.com/ -

Other References:

1.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. 76-77)

2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)

3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)

4. Lewis Sperry Chafer, ‘Systematic Theology’ Volume One, Abridged edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, (Indiana: BMH Books, 1988, p. 94-95)

5. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12; 20-21)

6. 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. 56-63)

7. J. I. Packer, Author of Knowing God, ‘Concise Theology’ A Guide To Historic Christian Beliefs, (Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1993, p. 3-22)

8. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)

9. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)

10. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)

Hammer and Nails to the “Word made flesh”

Hammer and Nails to the “Word made flesh”

Luke 23:26-29; talks in detail about the crucifixion of Christ. As horrendous as the pounding hammer sounds to our spiritual ears, Isa 22:23, says, “I will fasten Him as a nail in a sure place” (KJV). ‘Sure’ “in a transitive sense to make firm, to confirm…. To stand firm; to be enduring; to trust.” The cross is the open door which no man could shut. As unfathomable as the whole process seem to be for this perishing world, the cross is a means by which God chose to position Jesus Christ in the seat of honour for the house of His Father.

Religious leaders, with their ill fitted robes of self-righteousness, hiding their flint foreheads behind the phylacteries aimed to kill Jesus Christ, and were looking for a perfect time to seize Him. The voices of the people and the priest were too hard for Pilate and overruled him to go contrary to his convictions and inclinations. Pilate could not deal more barbarously with Jesus than to deliver Him to their will, who hated Him with a perfect hatred and whose tender mercies were cruelty; Luk 23: 25.

An innocent bystander on the way was forced to carry His Cross, “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” Luk 23:26. Christ had been beaten up so badly, and the severity of the beating administered depends upon how long the officials, wanted the victims to live. After all it was a holiday week end, and the religious leaders wanted to be home for supper, and if the “criminal” dies early it helps their holiday celebration.

The Scriptures talks about two other criminal men, led out with Christ to be crucified fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that Christ “was numbered with the transgressors” Isa 53:12. Christ was crucified between them as if He was the worst of the three. He was not only treated as a transgressor, but numbered with them, as the worst of them.

The most crucial event of all happened when they came to a place called skull.” And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luk 23:33.

Crucifixion is the most inhumane way and unimaginably painful, and this kind of capital punishment was targeted as a deterrent for rebellious slaves, and is forbidden to any Roman citizen how serious the crime they committed may be. Can we open our spiritual eyes and ears and extrapolate our imagination for a minute? They took the hammer and the nails on the Cross to the King of Glory! The nails are driven securely into the wood on His flesh for us. I could never fully grasp how such human atrocities occurred at the free will of humanity.

Calvary, Kranion, [is] the Greek name for Golgotha- “the place of a skull”- an ignominious place, to add to the reproach of Christ’s suffering. But this suffering has become the most significant, because here He triumphed over death.

The darkening of the sun at noon-day and the rending of the temple veil indicates the Divine significance of these events. The curtain drops on our scene in the form of darkness which lasted three hours, and the Light of the world was about to be extinguished, and he breathed His last into the Father’s hands; “Father into your hands I commit my Spirit;” Luk 23:46. This cry marked the exact moment the sins of the humanity; past, present and future were heaped upon Christ and the fullness of God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus Christ. Sinless Christ was hanging life-less on the Cross, and the extent of humanity’s sin was so great He was separated from His Father.


“And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all the trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross.”Col 2:13-14.


To secure the keys to the house of David and open the door of salvation to the whole world, to those who would enter, God drove His Son like a nail in a sure place; a firm place and an enduring place. By doing this God took the written code, finally fulfilled in His Son, and cancelled our debt. Can we imagine? With every pound of the hammer, God was nailing down redemption for mankind!

A state of sin is a state of spiritual death. As the death of the body is the corruption of it, so sin is the corruption of the soul. Ever since the fall in Gen 3; man in his sinful state is morally impotent and has no spiritual power. By the virtue of our union with Him, effectual provision is made by taking away guilt of sin and breaking the power of dominion of it.

The curse of the law is the handwriting against us; and this was removed when God removed us from the curse of the law through His Son, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” Gal 3:13.

The misery which we as sinners sunk into leads us to be under the curse and condemnation of the law. The love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the whole salvation plan of God’s love is that Jesus Christ has submitted to be made curse for us, so that He might redeem us from the handwriting which is against the human race. This leads a way for the human race to have a happy ending, by not only escaping the curse but inheriting the eternal blessing to be His heir of salvation.

Jesus Christ’s immediate request for Father’s forgiveness sanctified the cross for its enduring the work through all of time. “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2: 6-8.


References:
1. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘The best of Matthew Henry’s notes in a handy one volume’ Reference Bible, King James Version (Iowa Falls: World Bible Publishers, Inc.1996)
2. Thomas Nelson, ‘The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982)
3. J. Vernon McGee, ‘Psalms’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991)
4. Jesus the One and Only, ‘Beth Moore’; (Life Way Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007).
5. The New King James Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
6. Prayers to Move Your Mountains, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 2000.

The Mock Court - The Ultimate One!!

The Mock Court - The Ultimate One!!


“And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him. And when they had mocked Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.” Mark 15: 9-10;

The cost for each one of us and the world to be a new creation was far beyond anything, and no one can fathom! There is nothing pretty about being in a mock court which is ultimate, but it was necessary to overcome the grave in God’s ultimate plan.

The original word for envy, ‘Phthonos’ in Mk 15:10, means: “envy, jealousy, pain felt and malignity conceived at the sight of excellence and happiness.” Generally compromising people can not stand the sight of excellence in others; and very miserable people can not afford to see happiness in others. Envy is deadly and it can kill anything from contentment to killing people.

Jesus was before the council of elders and according to Luk 22: 66-67a; “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the Chief priests and the Scribes came together, and led Him into the council saying, ‘Art Thou the Christ’” shows that He was subjected to all illegal proceedings all through the night. Self-righteousness looked ill-fitted for the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and they had a hard time hiding their flint foreheads behind their phylacteries.

Treason, murder and felony are the three crimes that are usually punished by the sword during Roman times, and only Barabbas was guilty of the above. The irony of the whole thing is that the only reason Christ was standing before Pilate and other leaders because He was exactly who they “tried” Him for being. The accusers could not see the truth for themselves, Christ was found guilty of being the Son of God. “Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And He said unto them, Ye say that I am.” Luk 22: 70.

Pilate has discerned personally the malignancy of religious leaders and the first reason to exercise caution was recorded in Matt 27: 19; “When he was set down on the judgement seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

“Jesus answered, Thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin” in Jn 19: 11; which shocked Pilate and from then on he sought to release Jesus. I believe Pilate’s inside told him that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. Pilate we see as the ultimate consummate unprincipled politician had the authority he needed but lacked the courage to change. Pilate offered several times to simply punish Jesus with severe beating, but the religious leaders want Him dead because their hatred was pretty serious. We are seeing the inhuman side of humanity, and we can agree that given over to our natural urges and instincts we are more violent than the beasts of the field.

Herod the King had no intention of believing Christ whatsoever, and he absolutely epitomizes human arrogance. The unfolding events in the ‘mock court’ recorded in Luke 23: 8-12 and in the midst of the frenzy, friendship developed between Pilate and Herod. Neither Pilate nor Herod could find any basis for the charges against Christ; Luk 23: 14-15, and Herod mocked and belittled the Son of God.

“As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man and his form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah 52:14; described Christ’s appearance when they all had done their share. They have stripped, mocked, flogged, spat, struck again and again the fullness of the Godhead bodily. The crowd want Jesus to be crucified, and they were together and had their share of mocking and want Barabbas to be released in His place.

Does any one there knew that whom they pierced is the bright and morning star, the alpha and Omega, the anointed of the Lord, the beloved Son of God, the radiance of His Father’s glory, the light of the world, the Lily of the Valley, the Prince of peace, the seed of David, the Son of righteousness, the blessed and only potentate, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, Immanuel and is the salvation of the whole world? The mocking humanity never realized how ever they belittled Christ; He can not be, because He is King of Kings and the coming King.

Let us think for a minute; David, the Son of righteousness could have explained His way out of this ‘mock trial’; but He did not. He looked down on the very humanity who were persecuting Him, gave himself to His Father’s will to deliver them from the power of darkness; Col 1:13-14. Can we think for a minute about God’s ‘dying love’ for the ‘perishing world’?

References:
1. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘The best of Matthew Henry’s notes in a handy one volume’ Reference Bible, King James Version (Iowa Falls: World Bible Publishers, Inc.1996)
2. Thomas Nelson, ‘The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982)
3. J. Vernon McGee, ‘Psalms’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991)
4. Jesus the One and Only, ‘Beth Moore’; (Life Way Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007).
5. The New King James Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
6. Prayers to Move Your Mountains, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 2000.

How do we abide or remain in Christ and His love? There is a secret place!

How do we abide or remain in Christ and His love? There is a secret place!

The heart of God is beautifully illustrated when Jesus Christ cried out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” Luk 13:34. Compare this with the Old Testament passage Psalm 91: 1-4; “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God: in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler; and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler”. These verses paint a similar portrait which is a great comfort to a believer. This alludes to the hen gathering her chicken under her wings; Matt 23:37. By natural instinct she not only protects them, but calls them under that protection when she sees them in danger. She keeps them safe, cherishes them and keeps them warm.

The Hebrew word for shelter means a “covering, hiding place, protection, secret place (Strong’s). A great truth is in general, that all those who live a communion with God are constantly safe under His protection and may therefore preserve a Holy serenity and security of mind at all times. He that by faith chooses God for his guardian shall find all in Him that he needs or can desire and he is at home in God. The implication of this verse is that a certain level of safety and immunity from evil onslaughts exists for those who choose to dwell there. The concept of dwelling in Psalm 91:1 is synonymous with the concept of remaining in Father’s love; “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” Jn 15: 10.

Let us see how do we describe a sort of immunity? Obedience to the Father’s commandments is the key to immunity from the enemy. In other words, obedience to the Father is what positions us in the shadow of the Almighty and any evil that comes against a believer has to go through God first because He is our shadow. Jesus Christ when He was living on this planet earth He lived for one purpose and that is to do the will of His Father as written in Jn 6: 38. When the time came for the rulers and the chief priests to come against Jesus Christ, they were only used as puppets by God in His pursuit of greater glory.

We can trust God and take comfort in His Word, because He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Our place of immunity from the obstruction of God’s plan for our lives is gained through the obedience to His will. We can choose Him as such and confide in Him; in Him we trust. He is God and not man, and therefore there is no danger of being disappointed in Him; Psa 91:2.

Sadly, and very often we choose our own will over Christ’s, forfeiting the shelter of His wings and the result was desolation and defeat; Luk 13:35; 19: 43. As believers in Christ two different forms of immunity apply to us.

a. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in our life had the gift of eternal life and have immunity from eternal judgement. We stand in the shadow of the cross and God has bought us with a heavy price of His Son and all the judgement that should have come to us came to Christ instead.
b. The second kind of immunity does not come naturally on accepting the gift of salvation. This comes when we surrender our will to the Father’s will and our obedience to His Word. When we bow to His will we will become immune to the threats and defeat to the plan of God for our personal lives. We will have troubles, and tribulations and certain amount of oppression but, nothing will be able to defeat us because God gives us power to overcome them.

Jesus Christ longs to draw us under the shelter of His wings, close to His side and He earns to lavish us with His possessive, protective love to cover us from unnecessary harm. Beloved! There is a secret place to hide!!

Christian Living In The Home

Christian Living In The Home
(Scriptural Foundation)
1. Christ Centred Home
2. Hope and Help for Your Family
3. Communication come first
4. Bible Basics about the family
5. Single persons
6. Word to the wives
7. Loving Leadership
8. Discipline with Dignity
9. How to live with an unbelieving husband
10. Conclusion.
(Book written by J.E. Adams, “Christian Living in the Home” Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, New Jersey, 1972)

Building a Strong Family is a challenge in the best of times.
Marriage is redefined, and Biblical approaches to discipline are under constant fire, and “family values” is becoming a campaign slogan than a personal priority of elected officials.
Stable homes have become a quaint anomaly, and it is not a norm any more. Jay E. Adams calls us to carefully check on the erosion of home and family as the basic unit of society and calls us to apply Scriptural principles and understand them carefully.
This little book gives Biblical advice on Christ-centered family living, communicating with family members, family guidance and discipline, living with an unbelieving spouse and many other areas.

1. Christ Centred Home
If you are a Christian you are concerned about this problem!
Definition of a Christian Home: “A truly Christian home is a place where sinners live; it is also a place where members of the home admit the fact and understand the problem, know what to do about it, and as a result grow by grace”.
a. Christians admit their sins: The Bible calls us to do so (1 Jn 1:8-10). There is no place for rationalization, excuses, or blame shifting. The freedom to accept the truth brings repentance, and forgiveness from God and from the neighbour is possible.
b. Christians know what to do about their sins: Scriptures give guidance.
c. Christians progress out of their sins: (Col 2:3). Sinners live in the Christian homes, but the sinless Saviour lives there too and that makes all the difference!!

2. Hope and Help for Your Family
We are told by sociologists, psychologists, that Christian homes have failed and as a result church has failed!! Medical model calls everything a ‘disease’ and Bible calls “all have sinned” and fallen short of the glory of God!
Examples:
Worry ---.> ulcers
Fear ----- paralyses one from moving forward
Resentment ------------- colitis
Sickness is not the cause of the problem, but the cause in each of the above case is SIN.
Biblical Examples: Fall of man, City of Corinth, Israelites in the desert and so on.
Men of all ages are human beings made in His image, marred by sin. God is still the same, and sin is still the same, and human beings behave in the same fashion, but for the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross to redeem mankind. God in His providence has made available means of handling difficulties even by the rapid transportation, communication, computers, ipods and ipads and so forth. In the midst of it all, the basics are still the basics. Man’s basic problem and God’s basic solution remain unchanged.

3. Communication comes first.
Book of Ephesians 5:22-32, Paul discusses marriage relationship in particular.
Paul addresses wives (v.22); and then the husbands (v.25). He describes the fundamental roles of relationships between them.
Eph: 6: 1; (speaks first to children); and Eph 6:4 (speaks to the parents)
Eph 6: 5 (speaks of the working or business relationships as he exhorts the slaves).
Eph: 6:6 (speaking to the masters)
Ephesians 5 and 6, Paul talks about the basic human relationships that Christians and other men must sustain.
Parallel passage: Col 3:18-4:1; The order is the order of life’s priorities. (Husband and wife relationships; then parent-child relationships; and lastly employer-employee relationships. One’s spouse, his children, and his work should be placed in that unvarying order; only tragic results come from reversals or shifts in these priorities).

Eph 1-3; talks about how God, from the foundation of the world, planned in time executed that redemption in the coming of Jesus, who shed His blood on the cross.

Eph 4; Paul turns from the more doctrinal and doxological materials to practical exhortations. Talks about walking in unity, spiritual gifts, the new man, and living and growing in Christ into His likeness. Talks about our former sinful ways with our new ways of walking with Christ. Christian relationships must unify and cause growth not only individually but also corporately.

Eph 5; speaks about walking ‘in love’ walking as children of light and being careful about the walk. Christian’s walk in Ephesians 4 and 5 is the integral part of the discussion of basic Christian relationships. This walk is not a solitary walk BUT A WALK OF ONE BELIEVER WITH OTHER and More so in a Christian marriage.

Practical Questions: How can a Christian grow in his interpersonal relationships?

Eph: 5:22-32.
Paul’s analysis of communication begins at Eph 4:25“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members of one another.” Christians can not walk together unless they do so, on the basis of honesty, openness and truth. As members who function together in the same body, we must have truth in order to work in concert. Christian communication is explained in Eph 4; and let us turn our attention to Eph 5 22-32.

(I have stories in my counselling ministry that misunderstanding comes greatly when there is no open, honest communication)
How to handle problems? It is always wiser to attack the problem than the people with repentance. The whole picture changes when we discover the joy of researching issues Biblically. When the communication is straightened out, it is very much possible for the issues to be solved.

Christians can learn to live without bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, slander and malice. Learn to maintain an attitude of good will toward one another, and ask God special grace not to be selfish. When a couple has the wrong attitude towards each other life’s problems grow thick and tall. The wrong attitudes can be over thrown only by being ‘Kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ has forgiven’. It was for law breakers Jesus Christ suffered on the cross, and we are called to love one another just like Jesus Christ.

What is love? Love is not a feeling, but at first can be expressed as giving. To love, one must give of ourselves, our time, our substance and whatever it takes to show love, because giving is fundamental to the Biblical idea of love.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” Jn 3:16.
“I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me;” Gal 2:20.
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; ; if he thirst give him a drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” Rom 12:20.
It is always with giving love begins, and the spirit of giving brings a new atmosphere into any home. In this new atmosphere love may grow and thrive.
Questions to our heart:
1. Write down one thing which you need to do in order to establish communication at your home with your spouse?
2. Think of one sin you have to confess to God and to your spouse which would lead to a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ and with your spouse.

Bible Basics about the Family
Basic Biblical principles, its foundations are shaking and it is on attack on all sides. The institution of marriage is on huge attack, which is the first Divine institution God has ordained. God’s Word uses the words covenant relationship; reasserted that God ordained marriage, and marriage is not an option. Proverbs 2:17, talks about adulteress who flatters with her words, who “leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.” A covenant in Scripture is a solemn arrangement involving a ruler and a subject. When one enters into a covenant, he enters into the most solemn and binding arrangement of all.

1. Mal 2:14, God argues that a wife is a companion and your wife by covenant. A marriage is a covenant made in the presence of God. God ordained it and it is not optional. Gen 2:18-24; God insists that as a norm, that, “it is not good for a man to be alone, and a man must leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.”

2. Marriage is good, because it was instituted by God before the Fall. Many people joke about marriage, play it down as though it was instituted by Satan. Sexual relationship between married couples was God ordained, and it is beautiful; Heb 13:4; Eph 5:22-33; Rev 19: 7-9; 21: 2. God considers marriage holy and righteous, and so it is called ‘holy matrimony’.

3. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7 about an exceptional situation and did not set it as a rule of norm. He was talking about celibacy as an emergency measure, and it was easier for individuals than for families to face persecution. 1 Cori 7:29-31a, Paul recommended celibacy over marriage in times of persecution. Celibacy is not a higher state than marriage.

4. God created woman for Adam because He said that celibacy is not good. It is therefore better for a man to be married. A man needs a woman.
What is a woman?
Gen 2: 18, says she is a helper. King James Version says. “help meet”. Woman was created as a help meet for man, which means appropriate and suitable for man. She corresponds to and complements man at every point, and completes a man.
(Very often I tell my husband one thing: “All that you do not have, I have and that is the reason God has given me to you.”)- ‘help meet’
Woman was created as a suitable helper to stand with him in life to help in every way (Eph 5:22-33; in a Godly home). This is a key factor which has disappeared from contemporary modern thinking. This is God’s definitive word about her role.
It is precisely by considering herself as a helper a woman is liberated. Woman’s liberation movements fail to recognize this, and unwittingly consign a woman to a life of slavery. As a helper she complements him, and completes him and the man and the woman becomes one flesh Gen 2:24. They become one complete unit, and as they come together physically, emotionally, intellectually there is a wholeness that did not exist before.
(Illustration: slice an orange and fit it again; that is the fit God is talking about in a marriage)
Man and woman need each other and when God gives the gift of celibacy He also provides the grace to live in an incomplete manner. Their completeness must be found in Him and this is not His ordinary way of doing things.

5. We all need some one with whom we can intimately open our hearts! Pro 2:17; Mal 2:14 talks about companionship which is the basic purpose of marriage. All of us have a need for intimacy and marriage meets that need. It is good to have someone with whom one may discuss ideas, think through problems, talk about issues, and offer another view point.

6. Wife is husband’s biological counterpart. 1 Cor 7:1-2; Paul stresses that if the person does not have the gift of celibacy from God, he ought to get married. Sex is not intended to be self-oriented but partner-oriented. Every self-oriented manifestation is a perversion of sex. Sex may be enjoyed but only according to the Biblical principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Husbands and wives are required to satisfy the partners, and the most enjoyable aspect of sexual intercourse is in the pleasure of satisfying one’s marriage partner. Husbands should not withhold his body to get even with his wife, and wife may not use sex as a bargaining factor.

7. Child bearing: It is wonderful to have the quiver full of children Psalm 127; and they are a heritage from the Lord. God blessed them and asked them to be fruitful and multiply Gen 1:28.

8. They shall become one flesh Gen 2:24; “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and he shall cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Leaving, cleaving, and weaving are important in marriage, and this should not be forgotten. This principle avoids much heartache in marriages. When a man marries he no longer sustains the same relationship to his parents, but must become the head of a new decision –making unit that we call it a family. When the young man allows himself to be pulled apart by his mother and wife instead of obeying God’s Word everyone suffers.

The most basic family relationship is not the parent-child relationship, but rather the husband –wife relationship. This is a Divine institution God has ordained. According to Scriptures this relationship is permanent and should never be broken.
• In our society parent-child relationship has become more significant, to the detriment of children and marriage partners alike. This is in direct opposition to God’s Word. The most harmful thing parent can do to their children is to build their lives around them. Children need to see parents loving and living with each other.
• The obligation to see that there is love in the family, and the husband-wife relationship is going strong, falls most strongly on the husband as the head of the home, because Christ has made it as husband’s job.
Exercise: Husbands if, you think this Biblical pattern is not there why not take your wife for supper tonight and discuss this question.
Design a Chart of your problems, and solutions.


3. Single persons: finding a mate.
It is said in God’s Word that marriage is the normal state for adults. Each individual has his gifts from God and marriage or able to remain single are a gift from God. “And we know that all things (even gifts for marriage or single life) work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”. Rom 8:28.
Gift of marriage: How do we know we have this gift of marriage? What does one do if she/him discovers they have this gift of marriage?
a. Pray about this matter, and this prayer must be coupled with work; “If any man will not work, neither should he eat” 2 Thess 3: 10.
b. Prepare yourself for marriage: Rev 21:2; Rev 19: 7, 8; Prov 31:30; 1 Pet 3:3-5. Develop your Christian personality and in the case of a woman be a vital Christian, attractive and be an irresistible woman.
c. Proceed towards your goal: Whatever you do, do something about your situation, (meet people where Christian youth are) and in confident quietness wait for God to work, and powerfully commit the rest into God’s wise hands. Generally in an Asian setting prospective bride and groom were introduced unlike our Western setting.

Myth of compatibility: Compatibility is the word not used in Scriptures and the biblical fact is no two people are compatible regardless of whether their backgrounds were similar or not. We are all born sinners and hence we by nature are incompatible people. For two people to be compatible they first must become Christians and then work by God’s abundant grace very hard towards the task of becoming compatible. In other words, people are not born compatible, but become compatible eventually by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
How do you choose your mate? There are 2 absolute essentials:
1. The other person is also a Christian.
2. The two people not only desire to, but growingly give evidence of an ability to face, talk over, and solve problems together from God’s Word in God’ way.
Before making commitments check if you could work together and solve problems Biblically. Whenever God is at work, He gives not only the desire but also the ability to carry it through Phil 2: 13; 2 Cor 8:10.

Sum up: Discover your gifts, develop your gifts, and demonstrate your gifts. One can develop a single person’s personal inventory table which contains: Who am I, What does God want me to be? Spiritual life, Prayer and meditating on God’s Word, Preparation for marriage: domestic, physical, and Christian personality and progress toward this goal.

4. To Wives: Eph 4 & 5
Communication is so vital and without this no proper role and relationships exists in the home. Crucial verses based on the creation ordinances expand the Christian’s concept of marriage is seen in Eph 5: 22-33.
God’s Word to wives Eph 5: 22-24; “Wives be subjective to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, He Himself is the Saviour of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” Usually when there is a role reversal there are many problems in marriage. Reversal of role lead to further problems, which often lead to further reversals, ad infinitum.
Questions to husbands and wives:
1. Husbands, do you love your wives to die for them?
2. Wives, do you love your husbands to live for them?
God expects wives to love their husbands so much that submission becomes very willing, as church is subject to the Lord! and Eph 5, is an inspired Word of God.
Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and he had a larger reason for saying what he said. If any one thinks, Paul was not gracious, let us look at the closing chapters of the Book of Romans. When he talked about the subordinate roles of women in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy he did not based his arguments on the mores of his culture but based it on the order of Creation.

It is all about Biblical submission, and one will be pleasantly surprised to know what it is! What really brings freedom? When followed the rules, and running on the track! Freedom in God’s world never comes apart from structure, and one is free to live as God intended. Talk about woman’s liberation: genuine liberation comes when allowed to run on the track, and when she makes beautiful music in her home. The principle of submission runs through all of life, and it pertains a relationship 1 Tim 2:11-15; 1 Cor 14: 34, 35.
What does submission involve?
1. Submission is not doing husband’s bidding without question or suggestion. That sort of submission may be an Islamic, or old Japanese picture and not a Biblical picture. Biblically a woman’s God given gifts must neither be ignored nor suppressed.
2. A man is supposed to exert Christian leadership at home 1 Tim 3: 4-5 managing his household, and children and with dignity. He is to recognize that God had given his wife as a helper, and he will not want to squash her personality, but bring it to the fullest flower.

Example: Pro 31: 10, picture of a truly liberated woman and her husband knows to bring out her true potential. This woman recognizes her task is to help him, love him and do good all the days of her life. The Biblical picture of a liberated woman is described as one who delights to do her job. An ideal woman is compared to a merchant ship, and one who deals with real estate, gives to the poor, and one who cares for her family because she is not afraid of snow. Because of her worth, the bible says her husband rises up to a place of prominence in society. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and her children rise up to praise her, and her husband too praises her Pro 31: 28-31.



In any organization some one has to be answerable, and in the case of the family God has appointed the man as the head to be answerable to Him for the smooth running, and his wife is the helper. Wives are supposed to submit, and the only exception is: if your husband should ever require you to do some thing that is a direct violation of a plain commandment of God. When conflict arises that means there are 2 authorities in conflict, and remember that God does not act against His own authority. (Here we are talking about Godly Leadership as mentioned in God’s Word)
Wives check list can be on: House work, child discipline, sexual relations, social relationships, work outside, and husband’s helper.

5. Loving Leadership: To see love in your home is husband’s job. Eph 5: 25-33; Aspire to nothing less in your relationship to your wife, and husbands are to emulate Christ in all their ways. To be like Jesus Christ in relationship to your wife is an enormous order to fill. When husbands fail, they not only fail their wife, but also fail to represent Lord’s love for His church. If it is hard for wives to follow what is required of them, calling for husbands is harder! That relationship has to be perfect, because Christ and church relationship is perfect. This task is too great for sinful weak human beings. It is only as the Spirit of God works in your life that you can begin to approximate the Lord’s loving leadership over His church. Husbands had to be the head of the home, including your wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. That is the reason husband’s task is such a solemn one. When you fail to reflect Him (Christ) in your marriage, you damage His (Christ’s) Name.
Man and women had to emulate Christ by obedience to all His commands and the distinction is one of roles only.
Christ’s authority in the home is centred in the husband and not on the wife or children; God deposited His authority primarily on the husband and it is his responsibility to see that is exercised in ways that honour Christ. (He therefore more grievously misrepresents Christ to others when he fails!!!) Ref: Qualification of Elders 1 Tim 2:11-13; Eph 1:22; 5:22-32; 1 Pet 3:7. Please note that the headship does not mean crushing a wife’s talents and gifts, rather he recognizes it and uses it to the fullest. Husbands ought not to expect a woman to act like men and must be tender and understanding towards her. Headship does not mean authority but a loving leadership so deeply influenced by the love of Jesus Christ that the husband is at length able to love his wife as Christ loved the church; that is enough to die for her.

Col 3:18-19; husbands are not to be bitter against her whenever she does something wrong simply because you are managing the show. Husbands do you care for your wife even as nearly as you care for your body? Do you take time to listen to her? If she is unhappy, can you still be happy? Come back to love: Jn 3:16; Gal 2:20; Love is not a feeling, rather a giving of oneself to the other.
(World has distorted love: Hollywood, television screens, modern music etc…)

*Love does not come as fools believe, full blown from the head of Aphrodite; it must grow, watered, nourished, cared for, cultivated, and weeded too. It has real problems, but real love can grow tall and strong when cultivated as God says; and it is a process. Husband’s love for his wife can permeate all situations and establish love at home. When a wife is fully loved by the husband she is fully under his control and she will be very submissive. She is built that way.
Use a Check list on the following:
Am I truly the head of the home?
Do I know what is happening in my home day to day?
Am I in control of what is happening, leading the family in the direction in which it is moving?
Can I love my wife and children?
Do I truly love my wife and give myself for her? (List 2)
Do I assume responsible leadership over my family?
List 10 ways in which you begin to show love to your wife?





6. Discipline with Dignity
Eph 6: 1-4 (Discipline & instruction from the Lord; father’s responsibility); 2Tim 1:5; Tit 2: 3-5; Deut 6.
Under discipline: ‘One can teach discipline and obedience better with one rule properly enforced than with many rules you could not follow up.’ The Lord gave only 10 commandments for our life and there was one rule. Obedience was centred on it, and the penalty was clearly spelled out.
Divided authority can cause problems and the solution is that parents should think through before implementing it. Children are astute and when the parents are not in agreement they can see through it and drive a few wedges of their own!!
Failure to handle Biblically the situation.
Frustration methods rather than methods ‘with dignity’ cause problems. Frustration and yelling etc...
Over discipline: This could provoke children at some instances to anger.
Dads can not misuse God’s authority and flaunting authority is wrong. If God’s commandments are not grievous 1Jn 5:3, why should ours be?
Family Devotions should be family oriented and not children oriented. Children need to see how their parents settle down disagreements.
The children should be encouraged Biblically and with love; encourage them when they do good things! Remember the first commandment has a promise attached to it. Use rewards and incentives in teaching discipline to children.
Discipline and Instruction: Eph 6:4; Deut 11:1; and Paul also asked the parents not to exasperate the children. Always keep in mind that God disciplines His children.

7. How to live with an unbelieving husband?
It is not uncommon to find Christian women married to unbelieving husbands.
At the Cross of Jesus:
Women remained and men fled!!
Disciples were gone but the women remained!!
Wondered who their husbands were and where they were?
Ref: 1 Cori 7:39, Paul says Christians must marry only in the Lord. This is a clear cut commandment.
A Christian may not abandon his unbelieving partner; 1 Cori 7:12-16.
The presence of the faithful person sanctifies, or sets apart; Gen 18: 22-33.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells within the believer is in that home and His work may be tasted and His power may be seen by others: Heb 6: 4-5.
If the unbelieving partner leaves the story changes: 1 Cori 7: 15-16.
Read: 1 Pet 3:1-8
Prov 31: 10-31
Prov 5: 15-20

Home work:
a. What am I doing right?
b. B. What am I doing wrong?
c. What does God want me to do to correct my behaviour?

Conclusion:
If you have recognized some of the failures in your family, why not do something about it?
Biblical plan:
a. Make a full list of all things you have been doing wrong in your marriage (take the log out of your own eye before you begin)
Use a work sheet; be specific: example: speak harsh words; throw socks on the floor….
b. Confess your sins in repentance to God.
c. Determine to change Biblically.
d. Go humbly to your spouse and ask for forgiveness.
e. Seek to rectify any wrongs immediately; follow Biblical pattern of building up your spouse.
f. Seek outside Biblical counsellor’s help if necessary.


References:
1. Jay E. Adams, “Christian Living in the Home” (New Jersey: Presbyterian Publishing Company, 1972)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘A Theology of Christian Counselling’ “More than Redemption” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979)
3. Dr. Larry Crabb, Effective Biblical Counselling; ‘A Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counsellors’’ (Great Britain: Harper Collins Publishers, 1977)
4. Quick Scripture Reference for Counselling; Third edition- John G. Kruis (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1988, 1994, 2000)
5. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘The best of Matthew Henry’s notes in a handy one volume’ Reference Bible, King James Version (Iowa Falls: World Bible Publishers, Inc.1996)
6. Thomas Nelson, ‘The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982)
7. J. Vernon McGee, ‘Psalms’ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991)

What is Visualization? Is it Biblical?

Creative visualization (sports visualization) refers to the practice of seeking to affect the outer world via changing one's thoughts.[1] Creative Visualization is the basic technique underlying positive thinking [2] and is frequently used by athletes to enhance their performance.[3][4] The concept originally arose in the US with the nineteenth century New Thought movement. One of the first Americans to practice the technique of creative visualization was Wallace Wattles (1860–1911), who wrote The Science of Getting Rich [5]. In this book, Wattles advocates creative visualization as the main technique for realizing one's goals; a practice that stems from the Hindu Monistic theory of the Universe that is subscribed to by the book.[6]
Creative visualization is the technique of using one's imagination to visualize specific behaviors or events occurring in one's life.[7] Advocates suggest creating a detailed schema of what one desires and then visualizing it over and over again with all of the senses (i.e., what do you see? what do you feel? what do you hear? what does it smell like?).[8][9] For example, in sports a golfer may visualize the "perfect" stroke over and over again to mentally train muscle memory.[10]
This is dangerous and we Christians are called to be alert to this is ‘New Age’ Techniques. The above is evil and one of the major deceptions of the “end times”. Isa: 5:20-22; Tells us woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, and those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
We are called to live by the Spirit and put off the acts of the former sinful nature and seek the fruit of the Spirit; Gal: 5:19-26. Bible says in the last days even the elect will be deceived. Let us not be content to be an immature Christian, as was the case with many Hebrew believers! Heb: 5:11- 6:4. Abundant life is with God the Father, through Lord Jesus Christ because He is the way the truth and the life. And only His Spirit will be able to guide and lead us in this path of truth.
Websites and References:
1. S Noah . “Application of Information Visualization Techniques” Web: April 30, 2010.
www.springerlink.com/index/y132752w10n4501l.pdf
2. Schmitt, Suzan “Money Visualization Techniques” Web Mar 12, 2010 and 28 Feb 2010, accessed April 30th 2010
www.articlesbase.com/.../money-visualization-techniques-3-powerful-ways-to-attract-massive-wealth-and-happiness-1920245.html - United States
3. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Creative_ visualization#cite_note-o# web: April 30th 2010.
4. Jay E.Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p.92-97)
5. John G. Kruis, ‘Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling; (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Third edition, p.23-24)
6. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.621-625)

Scriptures sufficient for biblical counseling?

Scriptures are sufficient for Biblical counseling; Counseling must be biblically based; biblically accurate and biblically appropriate. It should be based on the Bible alone, and never on mere human ideas and observations. The Scripture is thoroughly adequate, the source of truth, whereas human knowledge is unable to effectively address the problems we face in life.

The Bible is practical: The Bible is not simply a theological treatise expounding on esoteric doctrinal subjects; instead it is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path (Psa: 119:105). Bible teaches us how to live every day in a way to please God, and helps us to solve our problems. It is God’s chart to guide us and it is a love letter from God to us.

The Bible is comprehensive: Scriptures should be basis for all our counseling sessions because it deals with all the issues of life that are necessary for us to understand. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Pet: 1:3. The truth of the above Scripture certainly indicates that any secular psychological research or theory is unnecessary (at best) in the process of helping people to change spiritually.

The Bible is trust worthy: It is the only book which deals with the practical problems of life in an absolutely reliable and trustworthy fashion.” The judgements of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether;” Psa: 19:9. “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven;” Psa: 119:89. “I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything…;” Psa: 119:128. “The sum of Thy Word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting;” Psa: 119:160.

The above yield a biblical epistemology that casts suspicion on any claims about human nature or spiritual truth that are not taught by Scripture. According to that epistemology, we as fallen and finite human beings can not discover the absolute truth without the special revelation of God. Our knowledge is limited because only so much we can observe and so much we can understand because of our finiteness. God on the other hand, is infinite in His knowledge and understanding; Isa: 40:14; Isa: 46:9-10. God knows the past, the present, the future, understand every part of us and every part of the world perfectly and was pleased to reveal His truth in His Word.
Apart from the Divine revelation we can not know anything absolutely because our minds have been adversely affected by sin. In our Fallenness our sinful minds tent to distort the truth. The only way we can think rightly is to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Rom 1:18-32; 12:2; Eph: 4:23. In our finiteness and fallenness we have no standard by which we can evaluate whether something is true of false except the Word of God. I will have a healthy skepticism about any theory or insight that does not proceed from Scripture.
The Bible is adequate: We have every thing we need in the Word of God to make us adequate and complete and we can not add anything to completeness. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work;” 2 Tim 3:16-17.
‘A man who has the Bible, and the Holy Spirit in his heart, has everything which is absolutely needful to make him spiritually wise….. he has got the infallible guide, and wants no other’. - J.C. Ryle.
Scriptures are inspired by the Spirit of God, so in Biblical counselling Holy Spirit play an important role: Holy Spirit gives guidance for using the appropriate Scriptures while praying for spiritual issues, gives ‘inner promptings’ or nudges, can release healing power directly during a counselling session and brings healing and wholeness, enable the counsellor to discern the presence of ‘demonic influence’ and lead the counsellor for appropriate prayer for deliverance, and lead the counsellor to practice spiritual discipline on a regular basis.
The Bible is the only true love letter: This is God’s genuine love letter for man.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.” John: 3:16. Freudian gospel may give a temporary experience of ecstasy, and even a bit of ‘security bout’ it is only an illusion.
Bible is practical, comprehensive, trustworthy and adequate and so as a Biblical counsellor I will study it zealously, meditate on it deeply, pray pointedly and communicate it accurately with my counselees, and it is sufficient for Biblical counseling. Scriptures have enduring power, imperial power Rom 1:16, Heb 4:12, sanctifying power Jn 17:17, Jer 31:33, revealing power, prevailing power and is very prophetic. Bible is God’s Word to man, attested by the Son of God, originated with and employed by the Spirit of God. It is authoritative because their own claims are fully vindicated, not due to human recognition but to the fact it is ‘inspired’ of God.
The Bible is Profitable: God’s Word for us is to transform lives for His glory; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:16. It has the transforming power to change the counsellor and the counselee into a more Christ like person.
The Bible talk about God’s General and Specific Revelation to people: General revelation reaches to all people; Matt: 5:45; Acts 14:17. It is very general in Geography; and it encompasses the whole globe Ps: 19:2. It is general in its methodology and it employs the universal means like the heat of the sun Psa: 19:4; and human conscience Rom: 2:14-15. It is a revelation that affects all people whenever they have lived it can bring light and truth to all, or if rejected, brings condemnation.1 The effect of general revelation is the guilt imputed to humans for aversion to our Creator and adopting idolatry Isa 44:9-20; Rom 1:21-23. Special revelation includes details about God’s person, nature and His plan for human life. Those acts of God whereby He makes Himself and His truth known at special times and to specific people.2
All true Biblical counselling must be done by God’s Word, and Spirit’s power, truth, love and under the Lordship of Christ, and to the glory of God.

End Notes:
1. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Wheaton: Victor, 1988), 28. Compare Erickson’s concise definition of general revelation: Revelation which is available to all; persons at all times…..” (Erickson, Concise Dictionary)

2 Thiessen, Systematic Theology, 35. Compare Erickson’s definition: “God’s manifestation of Himself at particular times and places through particular events…” (Concise Dictionary, 144).

References:

1. 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. 76-77)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
4. Lewis Sperry Chafer, ‘Systematic Theology’ Volume One, Abridged edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, (Indiana: BMH Books, 1988, p. 94-95)
5. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12; 20-21)
6. 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. 56-63)
7. J. I. Packer, Author of Knowing God, ‘Concise Theology’ A Guide To Historic Christian Beliefs, (Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1993, p. 3-22)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
8. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)