An Instructing Christian

Romans 15:14 NKJV

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Gives godly counsel or advice

The Importance of Counsel.

Without counsel: Errors are made

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 NKJV

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Without counsel: Endeavors are missed

Proverbs 15:22 NKJV

Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

Proverbs 13:10 NKJV

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

The Individuals involved in counseling

The Holy Spirit is the principle person.

John 14:26 NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Psalm 32:8 NKJV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

Jeremiah 32:19 NKJV

You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.

The second individual is you, the disciple

Qualifications in giving godly advice

1. Scriptural knowledge of the will of God

Romans 15:14 NKJV

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

2. Divine wisdom in one's relationship to others

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

3. Good will and concern for other members of the body of Christ

Galatians 5:13 KJV 1900

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

An instructing Christian's authority comes from the Word of God

The third individual is other saint

Sources of knowledge available to the Instructing Christian

(1) The Scriptures

2 Timothy 3:15–16 KJV 1900

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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2) His or her, and others’ counseling experience

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 KJV 1900

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

(3) The dynamics of his own sinful heart.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

There is no unique problem that has not been mentioned plainly in the Scriptures!

God's has a solution to every problem

Psalm 23:1 KJV 1900

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Questions the counselor should ask the counselee

1. What is the specific problem (or problems) in this case? This question implies that the counselor wants to understand the problem thoroughly on all levels.

2. Specifically, what biblical principles apply in this case?

3. What must be done to bring these principles to bear upon the case in order to understand and solve the problems?

Jay Edward Adams, The Christian Counselor’s Manual (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1973), 24.

People need four things to help them change

2 Timothy 3:14–17 KJV 1900

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1. Teaching

A. Evangelism

B. Edification

2. Conviction

Conviction means bringing facts to bear upon a case as to prove that someone is guilty of a sin.

The Spirit gives the Word of God to the people of God to bring conviction.

3. Correction

Instructive experiences

Proverbs 28:13 KJV 1900

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

1 Peter 1:6–7 NKJV

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

4. Disciplined training in righteousness

1 Corinthians 6:10–11 KJV 1900

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.

Hebrews 12:11 NKJV

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 NKJV

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

1 Thessalonians 4:7 NKJV

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.