Counseling from Scripture
J. R. Ensey

Many pastors are returning to scriptural counseling-away from the psychological approach that became popular a generation ago. They are discovering that the answers to man’s spiritual and moral problems do not lie in the theories of Freud, Jung, Rogers, or Maslow. Application of these ideas only tend to complicate lives rather than simplify them.

Trying to figure out man’s psyche and how to fix his problems without God is like the pseudo scientists who try to explain the universe without the Creator. Nothing fits. The theories fail, or change with the wind.

The Bible has the answers men need, not the psychological textbooks. His problems are moral and spiritual, and if he can find the courage to simply obey the Scriptures and deny his fleshly lust and pride, peace would replace depression, and victory would supplant defeat.

Depression is an increasingly common complaint today. Virtually everything is blamed on depression from marital problems to murder. Even many homosexuals give depression as a cause for their involvement in that sordid, life. But what is the real problem? Guilt? Condemnation? A simple lack of inner peace? An absence of ethics? Probably, but these may seem to be too simple for the secular psychologists.

God gave us patterns to live by. The farther we remove our lifestyles from that pattern, the more frustrated and unhappy we become. The closer men will align themselves to godly principles, the fewer psychological problems they will have.

“Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165) was David’s discovery.

Simple understanding of our position in Christ can obliterate much of the anxiety in our lives. Most stress in our homes and individual lives comes from the pursuit of things we do not need or should not have. Contentment is the mark of the true Christian. “And with food and -raiment, let us be content,” advised Paul in I Timothy 6:8. “Be content with such things as ye have; for he himself said that he would not leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). That principle, injected into our house and lives, could soothe a lot of relationships.

Many emotional and even some physical problems could be resolved by the application of biblical admonitions such as:

* “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have” (Hebrews 13:5).
* “Bless those who persecute you.” (Romans 12:14).
* “Recompense to no man evil for evil . . .” (Romans 12:17).
* “Beloved, avenge not yourselves.” (Romans 12:19).
* “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
The Bible, not psychological theory, has the answers we need. Let us dig them out and deliver them to our people. The results may astound us!

“Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Brother Ensey is the President of Texas Bible-College, Houston Texas.

The above article, �Counseling from Scripture� was written by J. R. Ensey. The article was excerpted from Forward magazine. April- June, 1988.

The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.Counseling from Scripture