Biblical Principles of Counseling Part one
Christian Counseling Notes • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
What is Christian Counseling?
Christian Counseling is providing guidance and instruction based upon the principles set forth in the Bible. This was taught and adhered to by Jesus Christ. A tenet is a principle , belief, or doctrine that is truth in this case of usage.
The tenets of Christian Counseling are:
The Bible is the eternal, unchangeable Word of God and provides the sole authoritative source of the model of man and the principles that dictate and govern man’s behavior.
There is a moral and ethical right and wrong, and these are clearly defined in the Word of God.
Man is held accountable to the moral and ethical principles found in the Bible.
Why do people act the way they do?
People choose the way they behave. They make a clear choice to obey God or disobey God. Their choices are based upon their perception of what is the best way to meet their needs. However, it should and must be emphasized that man was created in a state of innocence, disobeyed God, and is now in a fallen state. Man has taken what was good, and distorted and perverted it, so now it is sin.
What is the reason people need counseling?
People need counseling because they have not been able to meet their needs in a Biblically correct manner. The meeting of these needs begin with a realistic and right relationship with God and can be summed up by fulfilling the following:
Love God
Love your neighbor
The Bible provides extensive and practical instruction on how to obey these two commands.
Terminology
Christian Counseling does not label an individual but evaluates and compares (confronts) the person’s attitudes, thoughts, values, beliefs, and behavior with Biblical principles.
Defining mental illness Biblically.
In the absence of a pathology, mental illness is the feeling and state one is in, when his/her thoughts and behaviors bring him/her in conflict with God’s laws. This state may be the result of deliberate rebellion or a lack of knowledge of God’s laws. Counseling therefore takes on the responsibility to not only educate, but in some instances re-educate the client. Not only must the client learn certain laws and behaviors, but also others must be unlearned. Man’s faulty perception, and therefore , his/her faulty choices (sin) produce conflicts that are manifested as mental illness or emotional problems. Counseling will help establish or restore a right relationship with God.
Types and Degrees of Mental Illness
People behave the way they do in an attempt to meet their needs. Since mental illness is the feeling and state one is in, when his/her thought and behaviors bring him/her in conflict with God’s laws, it does not matter what the variation or the ,manifestation of the behavior is, or the degree of its intensity. People’s un-Biblical thoughts and behaviors are not the result of mental illness; their mental illness is a result of their un-Biblical thoughts and behaviors. The answer, or the cure , is the same.
The Cure for Mental Illness
Obey God and follow His laws
Confess our sins and accept God’s forgiveness
Examine ourselves and correct our behavior
Renew our minds through the study and acceptance of God’s ways
Choose not to be conformed to the world
Walk in the Spirit and not in the Flesh
Restore damaged relationships with others
Become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ
Help is in the present not the past
The reason that people have problems, or have had problems in the past is because of their un-Biblical thoughts and behaviors dictating their response to the event. Whether these thoughts and behaviors are actions or reactions is irrelevant. Therefore, the solution required is to focus on the present thoughts and behaviors and not past event. Since the past is unchangeable, there is no benefit on focusing on the past. The reason that people have problems is their present thoughts, perceptions, and behavior relative to an event. Since it is not an event that produces emotions, then focusing on the event or the emotion associated with the event is non-productive. A counselor should explore the past only to the extent necessary to understand what event the person is reacting to and to identify past thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to the problem.
Biblical change
Change is accomplished by the conscious decision to follow God’s laws and principles. These are summed up in the following way:
Put off the old nature
Put on the new nature
Renew your mind
Be not conformed to the world
Evaluating behavior rather than interpreting behavior.
A person chooses his behavior based upon his best effort to meet his/her needs or cope with situations in his/her life. Mental illness results from choosing to meet these needs in an un-Biblical way. Therefore, it is important to focus on the behavior and the thoughts that select this behavior, rather than try to interpret what the behavior represents. The severity of the behavior is a measurement of how much problem the client is having in having his/her needs met. Also, no matter how severe or irrational his/her behavior may appear, the behavior is chosen and has a meaning to the person exhibiting the behavior. When the person finally is able to meet his/her needs in a Biblical and realistic manner, his/her symptoms disappear and he/she is cured. This is not to say the problem disappears, this is to say that he/she can now deal with his/her problem in an appropriate way and day-to-day functioning is not hindered or impossible.
Biblical recovery
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Note the following;
The Counselor’s role:
must not strive, be gentle, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing.
The Problem
We have believed a lie - The snare
We are not in control - taken captive
We are our own enemy - oppose themselves
We need to turn to God - repent
We must face reality - acknowledge the truth
We must assume personal responsibility - recover themselves
Basic Assumptions
The root problem of all counseling is a damaged relationship and the manifestations of that damaged relationship. Just as the cross is vertical and horizontal, so must correct relationships be balanced both vertically (man to God) and horizontally (man to man).
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
When someone calls for counseling, you know three things about the person automatically,
There is a lack of a satisfying significant relationship.
Jesus provided us a perfect example of a relationship. When we were saved, Jesus did these things:
Accepted us as we were
Put away our past
Began a good work in us based upon His Word
Promised to never leave us or forsake us
2. As a result of this lack, emotional needs are not being met correctly
Love
Significance
Freedom
Discipline
Emotional Awareness
Knowledge of God
3. There is a lie one believes.
Some have never been taught the truth
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Some reject the truth
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
By changing the truth of God
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
By claiming to love God, yet hating one’s brother
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
By denying God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
By denying that Jesus is Christ, and that He has come in the flesh
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
By denying that one has not sinned or that man is not a sinner.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
By not believing the record God gave of His Son
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
By not keeping God’s commandments
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
By professing Christ, yet walking in darkness
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
Christian Counseling is about understanding relationships and helping those who seek counseling establish or restore a right relationship with God and man.
Biblical Foundations
God.
It is important for the counselor to realize that “faith comes by hearing” and therefore, to have faith in God requires that one hear about God. The Christian Counselor must be able to give an answer when asked about the God that we preach and teach about.
God Exists
This is a stated fact in the Bible, declared by the heavens and all creation and is not subject to debate or refutation.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
God is the Creator
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Application: He is the creator of all things; therefore we are responsible to Him. All of man’s problems are the result of violating God’s Word. There is not one social problem you can name that is not the result of violating God’s laws.
God is our Judge
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that he may judge his people.
13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the people with his truth.
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Application: God is the judge and we are accountable to Him alone. If we would examine our attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors in the light of this truth, many of our problems would disappear.
God is Omnipotent
14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, And that no thought can be withholden from thee.
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Application: God is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all things. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. Because of this fact, we can have confidence that He can help us with all of our problems when we call to Him.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
God is Omnipresent
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Application: We need to understand that God is everywhere. There is no place that we can go that He cannot find us. There is nothing we can do that He cannot see.
God has Absolute Right to Rule
8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; We are the clay, and thou our potter; And we all are the work of thy hand.
6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Application: He alone is the Creator and therefore, He alone has the right to set the rules that govern all of His creation. He is the sole and final authority to decide all matters within His creation.
He has fully revealed Himself by His Word.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Application: He has given us His Word, which endures forever. We now have the knowledge of what God says and demands, and we now have no excuse for transgression.
Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
16 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.
Jesus is God with Us.
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God.
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Jesus alone is the Savior of the world.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Jesus has All Authority.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Note: Of course, the entire Bible and the entire world is not enough room to tell all about Jesus, but the five concepts listed above are absolutely essential for effective counseling.
The Holy Spirit.
Divine Characteristics of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is eternal
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Holy Spirit is truth.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
The Work of the Holy Spirit.
Indwells the believer
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Regenerates
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Anoints
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Guides
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Empowers
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Sanctifies
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Comforts
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Gives Joy
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Gives Discernment
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
The Bible.
It is important that the counselee understand both the authority of the Bible and why it has that authority. The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God and that exalts it above any other book, text, or reference.
It is inspired by God.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
It provides correct doctrine.
2 For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law.
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
It reveals our deepest thoughts (reproves).
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It corrects you.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: Therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.
It instructs you.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; On thee do I wait all the day.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, And teachest him out of thy law;
It is Eternal.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
His Word is for all generations.
11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.
His Word will endure forever.
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
His counsel will stand forever
10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, And his arm shall rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, And his work before him.
His Word shall not be void.
10 For as the rain cometh down, And the snow from heaven, And returneth not thither, But watereth the earth, And maketh it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
It is Truth.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
All of God’s Word is truth
151 Thou art near, O Lord; And all thy commandments are truth.
The gospel is truth.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
We are begotten by the Word.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
It is the standard for judgment.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
It keeps you from sinning.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
God’s Word is Sufficient.
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
It is perfect for converting the soul.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
It makes the simple to be wise.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
It makes the heart rejoice.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
It enlightens the eyes.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
It is more desirable than gold.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
It warns us.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.
Keeping His Word has rewards
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.
It works in those who believe.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
God’s Word Provides for You.
Make wise unto salvation.
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Produces faith
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Make Jesus Christ known
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Build up
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Give inheritance
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Make the man of God perfect
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
It strengthen you in grief
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
It sustains you.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
It comforts in affliction
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me.
It gives hope.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
It provides peace
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.
It sanctifies and cleanses.
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Man.
Man is created in the image of God.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Application: Man was created for a purpose that is to reflect the Divine Image of God.
Man is a spiritual being.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Man is not an animal.
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Application: Man is held to a higher standard than just physical existence and physical laws. He is held accountable to God and to the higher spiritual principles given by God.
This is why man must be born again
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Establishing Biblical Authority
From a Biblical standpoint, we learn that one of the most confusing and backwards times in Israel’s history was when God’s people had no respect for His standard of authority.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Since the Bible says that Christians ought to speak the same thing,
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
and that we should walk by the same rule,
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
it is important to understand how to counsel according to the Bible and to be sure that we “rightly divide the Word of Truth”.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There are two, and only two, sources of authority in religion, God and man.
23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Notice that when Jesus asked His question, the men had to deliberate and make a choice to refuse to acknowledge God.
Paul also emphasizes that man is not more important than the Word.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2. All authority belongs to God and He has revealed Himself and His will through the Bible.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
3. As counselors we are not to go beyond the principles taught in the Bible.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
4. From the very beginning to the end, we are commanded not to add to or take away from the Word of God.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
5. There are four ways in which we determine what the Bible says:
Direct commands, both positive and negative.
Approved examples.
Application of scriptural principles.
Understanding necessary conclusion.
6. In the absence of the four conditions, there is no violation of God’s Word.
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
In these verses
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The words “given by the inspiration of God” is a translation of the Greek word “theopneustos”, which literally means “God-breathed”. Therefore, Scripture, in order to be Scripture, must be God-breathed, that is, it must come from the very mouth of God. Scripture is authoritative because it comes directly from God.
