WHAT IS BIBLICAL COUNSELING?

Is it the same as Christian Counseling? Is it just counseling from a Christian? Is It some psychology mixed with a little Bible teaching? Let’s look more closely at what Biblical Counseling is; and in our next post, why Biblical Counseling is the kind you should be seeking.        
We need Counseling
Many people are looking for counseling today, and this is understandable since life situations are often difficult and confusing. At times we need wisdom, direction, and hope.  But there are so many types of counseling in the world....

In fact there are hundreds of types of psychology alone. And many methods of how to counsel people have spawned from many man-centered ideas.  But what is Biblical counseling?  At its roots biblical counseling is biblical discipleship. Getting God’s perspective and solution on a problem.

Biblical counseling is the process of ministering applying the truth of God’s Word to an individual or individuals to help them to deal with their particular struggles with sin and suffering. When a person invites God into their problem area, a powerful transformation becomes possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, and this helps us, so that they can live a life pleasing to God.  [BCC website]              
 
Biblical Counseling is not a mixture of psychology and Bible, which is ( integrationism). Biblical Counseling is not man- centered, but God- centered. It does not focus on simply solving the symptoms a person is dealing with; instead,; but it seeks to deal with first with the core issues that cause the symptoms problem(s).

Trusting in the Bible’s Sufficiency

 Biblical counselors minister to the counselee to help them to trust in God’s Word alone, through the power of Holy Spirit, to bring about inner change in an individual’s life that pleases God.  A counselor that is a Christian isn’t necessarily a Christian counselor. Christian counseling is not always Biblical Counseling.   
A biblical counselor trusts that God’s Word is sufficient, as [2 Peter1:3 NIV] states, “His divine power have given us everything we need for life and godliness.”
Or as [2 Timothy 3:16 NIV] tells us that “ 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”.
 
What Does God say about Life.
The Biblical counselor endeavors to teach the counselee what God says about the issue(s) in their life. Then the counselor help’s the person to see how they need to for change, and what steps  to take based on Scriptural truths and principles.  

Biblical Counseling is ultimately pointing people to an the all- wise, loving, God that created us and sent His Son to save all who will believe in Him.  John 3:16 NIV “For God so loved the world that He  sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life”