Biblical Counseling.pdf - Online Christian Library

The counselor must encourage people to question the validity of their sincerely heldbeliefs, attitudes and thoughts. His aim is also to help them make rational, Biblical choices.note: Our brains often control us by habits to which we have become enslaved. Habits areformed by our repeatedly choosing to do something. For example, when you habitually thinkthe same types of thoughts about your perception of a particular extreme event, you willbegin to automatically react to that type of perception with positive, negative, or neutralfeelings. Your emotional habits are being converted into relatively permanent personalitytraits and into relatively permanent attitudes and beliefs.II. Recognition of Some Rules for Testing Right Thinking.A. It is Based on Objective Reality.The objective is to remove from the picture that which comes from one's ownimagination. By doing this, one's thoughts, feelings, and actions will be based on what isreally happening. One will be guarded from unwarranted assumptions and jumping toconclusions.B. It Helps You to Achieve Your Goals.Much thinking is self-defeating. The Bible promises are given, among other reasons, tohelp our sinful unbelief which defeats us daily. As we think God's thoughts from His Wordwe are greatly benefited in our actions and attitudes.C. It Keeps Us out of Conflict With Others.God's Word teaches us as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18).Does your thinking on a particular issue keep you out of trouble or plunge you into it?When no principle of Scripture is compromised by our giving in to the wishes of othersin order to avoid conflict with them, it should be seriously considered as the course ofaction to take. Right and kind thinking does make a difference in the relationships of life.D. It Eliminates Significant Emotional Conflict.As long as we are alive and conscious, there will be times when a conflict of motivationwill be experienced in our minds. The believer, for example, knows that if he allows theHoly Spirit to control his life this will involve him in a conflict with his old fleshly nature(Galatians 5:16, 17).E. It Will Be Based Upon Spiritual Realities.A believer, and even an unbeliever, needs to take into his consideration the followingspiritual realities: A holy God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Heaven, hell, judgment tocome, and the love and grace of God. Meditation upon these things should greatlyinfluence the life.F. It is Based Upon Scriptural Principles.Any thought, emotion or action that is contrary to the Word of God is spirituallyirrational. Whether or not we understand God's ways, we still will find it pays to obey©2000, Revival in the Home Ministries 41