Biblical Counseling.pdf - Online Christian Library

note:In teaching the love of God the counselor will stress those aspects of God's character that thecounselee needs to hear, namely--> That God's love under girds, amplifies, and modifies every quality of His character.< Teaching about His love will include teaching about His sovereignty, power, truth,holiness, faithfulness, wisdom, justice, righteousness, grace, mercy, forgiveness, patience,and tenderness, etc.> The counselee needs to know, believe and receive the love of God. He will need tounderstand that this is ours NOT by merit or works, but totally of grace. And that God'slove is manifested even in the difficult things, for everything comes through His hand oflove. (See Rom. 8:28,29.)> Some equate love with having their own way, which is another form of self-love, andmaking self as god. God's love flows to us from the Cross, which is a vivid picture of selfabasementfor our sakes (Heb. 12:1-4).B. Receiving Forgiveness is also a Paramount Need.1. Forgiveness provides freedom from guilt and enables a person to walk in rightrelationship with God and man. It is the means for restoring a relationship that hasbeen clouded with sin. Forgiveness is one of the essential considerations incounseling. So often people find it difficult to truly forgive and the problemscontinue because of its lack ( Ps. 32:5; Eph. 4: 32; Col. 3:12-14).2. The only way there can be true healing and restoration is by repentance. There canbe the joy of full forgiveness through confession. Psalms 32 and 51 would be veryimportant for the counselee to study. God wants each one of us to knowforgiveness and restoration with the burden of sin completely lifted. The counseleemust also be led to forgive others.3. The study of Luke 15 shows God's heart. He forgives, receives us back, andwithholds condemnation even though we deserve nothing. Many of the saved aretrapped in self-condemnation. It becomes a habit of thinking and responding to selfas perhaps they have been thinking and responding to others--with criticism.4. When a person does not confess to God, repent, and believe God's forgiveness, hefalls prey to self-condemnation. Self-condemnation is a dangerous activity of pride,for it comes from self playing the role of god. When self plays god, he condemns,punishes, rewards, and excuses himself for behavior, depending upon whether he isa strict god (perfectionist) or a lenient god who tends to pamper and excuse self.God wants to be GOD in every area of our lives including the areas of judgment andmercy. He has the standard of behavior and He is the One who grants pardon. Weneed to live by His standard and not ours.5. We need to discern right and wrong, but leave all judgment to God alone, lest we fallinto both self-condemnation and into criticism of others as well. When God forgivesus, the matter is finished, signed, sealed, guaranteed, and forgotten. Therefore, whenwe confess sin, we must also accept the truth of His forgiveness (Psa. 103: 3, 8-14;Isa. 44: 22; I John 1:7-2:2).6. Has the counselee truly and fully repented? Has the person accepted God'sforgiveness? Does the counselee practice self-condemnation?©2000, Revival in the Home Ministries 26