Two Theories of Biblical Counseling

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The book “How to Help People Change” written by author Jay E. Adams was very inspiring to me. It appears to be based totally on the Word of God, which I also support as my personal approach to counseling. Psalms 119:24 King James Version “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.” Adams suggests that the process of change can only take place from the inside out (heart) and by using Christian principles. The heart has to be changed in order for a person’s behavior to change. In Psalms 51:6 the Bible states “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” When a person knows and conceives the righteous thing to do, the chances are greater that he will behave righteously.

The author emphasizes the role of the Counselor as a minister of God, who uses the scriptures to help people change. In Psalms 51:10 the Bible states “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” If people can receive the instructions of God, then change can take place. I believe that real peace and joy comes from obeying biblical principles. When we know that God is pleased with us, then we are also happier with ourselves. In Romans 8:1 the Bible states “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We no longer have to carry the burden of defeat or a guilty conscious when we follow after the principles of God.

Adams also suggested that Counselors must have a thorough discerning of scripture in order to conducted Christian Counseling. He makes it plain that there are four steps to biblical counseling; teaching, conviction, correction and discipline. In 2 Timothy 4 :2 the ...

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... responds to life situations, and the person will have wrong behavior patterns. In other words, wrong thinking will result in feelings of unhappiness or even destruction; “I can’t have what I want, so I am going to kill myself.” By learning new positive thoughts through “Misbelief Therapy”, we can achieve sound thinking which will result in overall happiness. “ I may not be able to have what I want, but it’s not the end of the world”.

Works Cited

Adams, J. E. (1986). How to help people change. Grand Rapids,MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Backus, W.D., & Chapian, M. (2000). Telling yourself the truth (20th ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers

Holy Bible. King James Version (1998). Chattanooga, TN: AMG International, Inc.

Lawrence, D., (2006). (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) Finale: Act One (CD) Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel

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