Biblical Family Soulcare (an internet & seminar ministry).
www.soulcare.org
Humble Hypotasso: God's Way Home in a World of Deception

Sid Galloway, B.S., M.Div.
(?Ph.D.? Dads, please work toward a Doctor of Phatherhood)
email = sidjr@soulcare.org 
 HOME PAGE
 Remember, don't believe anything I or anyone else says, unless it fits Scripture.

CONTENTS • OUTLINE   

Part One: God's Sufficient Counseling Plan 
- What Did God Do Before Sigmund Freud, et. al.? 
- Is All Truth The Truth of God? 
- Simple Enough For A Child, . . . . Profound Enough for Any Ph.D. 
- Practical Problem Solving 

Part Two: Practical Case Examples: All Lordship Issues 
• Review of Principles From Part One 
- Emotions (Chemical, Situational, or Heart Attitude?) 
- Homosexuality (Creator Rejection?) 
- "Addictions" (Co-Idolatry?) 
- Marital Conflict (Too Many Chiefs?) 

Part Three: Last Days Prophetic Warnings Re: Counseling! 
- The Counseling Field In A Nutshell 
- Specific Biblical Warnings & Advice 
- What You Can Do, Before It's Too Late 

Suggested Resources For Further Evidence 

Part One: God's Sufficient Counseling Plan

What should you do if:

Someone shares unbiblical beliefs that will lead them into trouble?

•a. Say you agree so you don't cause any conflict?
•b. Simply stare back with either a smile, a blank face, or a frown?
•c. Say you don't know much about the subject?
•d. Tell them you think they're a fool?
•e. Pick the right time & lovingly share the truth?

Where is your hope for overcoming depression, anxiety, marital conflict, parenting struggles, "addictive" patterns of behavior, etc.?

•a. In Christ's provision only (His Cross, Spirit, Word, & Church Relationships)?
•b. In a World philosophy (i.e., Psychotherapy, Buddhism, New Age)?
•c. In a prescription drug? (valium, prozac, lithium, etc.)?
•d. In a non-prescription drug (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc.)?
•e. In a mixture of Christ's provision plus one or more of the above?

Why?

What fruit should counseling produce?

• Greater desire to please God or Greater desire to please self
• More personal holiness or More personal happiness
• Higher Christ-esteem or Higher self-esteem
• Love of God or Self-love
• Spirit filled heart or Heart full of yourself
• Self-denial or Self-gratification
• Overflowing joy or Deep depression
• Restful peace or Agitated anxiety

How do the nine characteristics of the Spirit's Fruit Fit Counseling?
(Galatians 5:22-23)

What did God do before Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Maslow, etc.?
Wherever I go Christians seem to be talking about their struggles and sorrows. But they don't talk in the context of God's Word. Instead, they use the victim terminology of our modern culture. And for a long time, I was no different. From seven years old and into adulthood, I was nervous, depressed and wanted to die. I loved myself more than God and my family, and just wanted to get away from the pains of life. Suicide was a daily consideration, even though I knew it would hurt a lot of people. I blamed my past, my circumstances, and other people. After trying a bunch of different religions and a number of therapists, all I learned was "coping and surviving". I even entered a doctoral program with the hope that becoming a psychotherapist myself, might produce abundant life. But under the surface, I stubbornly clung to my throne and refused to give up the lordship of my life.

What my heart needed was not all those psychotherapeutic programs or religious rituals, but a real relationship with the true God of love. I saw that kind of relationship shining through the life of one special person. He didn't just "go to church". He walked in the Spirit of Christ. He was an old black man, Will, who was like a grandfather to me in many ways. As I watched him react to racism with unselfish love, joy, and an unshakable peace, I kept thinking , "This isn't natural". It had to be the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit ruling as LORD over his thoughts, words, and actions. And I wanted what I saw! Instead of suicide, I found the way to die and be reborn as a new man. Jesus really is the way to a new and overflowing life (John 10:10; 14:6).

Now suppose you were me, and (more than anything) you wanted to convince other people that Jesus was enough to transform anyone's life. How would you do it?

Unfortunately, after resigning from the doctoral program in psychology, I set out on a somewhat effective, but unnecessary crusade. I used every chance I could to tell people about the statistical and scientific evidences against the claims of other religions, modern psychotherapy, and the misuse of "medications" for non-physical problems of the soul. Eventually though, I saw more good news. It became obvious that while it is sometimes helpful, such a debate against psychotherapy is really not necessary. The burden of proof does not lie with those of us who believe Christ's provision for the soul has always been enough. Remember, His provision includes His Cross, Spirit, Scripture, & Church relationships. The burden of proof lies in the hands of those Christians who claim the church should now add theories and therapies from the world's unregenerate system.

Scripture is living, powerful, and our most effective tool to "give a defense for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). So, I pray that, in spite of my limitations, this workbook will serve to encourage all of us to boldly and lovingly proclaim Christ's awesome provision for counseling problems. Also, I pray this will stimulate many others to further iron sharpen together toward a systematic theology of the soul's change and growth into the image of Christ.
My heart needed more than psychotherapeutic programs or religious rituals.

Is All "Truth" The Truth Of God?
Only when an assumed "truth" is proven to be fact, rather than mere theory.
Often when Scripture uses the definite article, "the", its focus is narrowed to a specific, definitive body of knowledge. It refers to a limited realm of truth within the broad category of "all" truth. This is especially true of "the truth" that sets one free.

John 8:32 [Jesus said] " . . . the truth shall make you free." (c.f., John 14:6)

Jesus is not referring here to physical truths like science, but rather spiritual revelation through the Word (John 17:17; John 1:14). Soul problems of the mind, will, and emotions cannot be examined with the empirical scientific method as can objective, tangible, material variables. Scripture therefore makes a crucial distinction between general truths encompassing the physical realm, and THE truth regarding the nonphysical soul. (Rom 5:12; 8:10; 1 Cor 15:42-44; 2 Cor 4:10; Col 4:14; 1 Tim 5:23) (Also note Paul's eyes - Mat 23:24; Acts 9; Gal 4:15; 6:11; 2 Cor 12:7 ff)

Such nonphysical truths are beyond the reach of science. Remember, test tubes can't prove anything about the mind, will, and emotions! (For evidence, see the resource lists at the end) Therefore, man apart from God's special revelation in Scripture can only guess - not discover truths - about the soul. Man's only hope for understanding the psyche is the textbook given to us by the soul's Creator - i.e., the Bible.

Certainly science is good and useful for physical issues about which God's Word doesn't claim to comprehensively address. Physics, mechanics, chemistry, and medicine are clear examples. In Scripture,

Luke's extra-biblical expertise as a physician was both recognized and accepted (Col 4:14). Scripture doesn't claim to give us all of the truth we need to fully solve such physical problems. It doesn't claim to be a sufficient physician's desk reference. Yet, when Scripture refers to physical things, it always speaks truth.

The Word doesn't promise to provide the way to perfect physical health now on this earth. We must wait until we have our resurrected body before we can enjoy perfect physical health. Certainly God can and does work physical healing. He can do anything He desires. But His Word does not promise complete and comprehensive physical healing before our resurrection. We're not just getting older. We're all dying, physically. Therefore, it's good and wise to use medical science to treat problems that have verifiable physical causes. True physical diseases such as Alzheimer's, cerebral aneurysms, etc., can and should be treated by a physician.

Can true physical problems (tumors, CNS damage, chemical imbalances, hormonal changes, etc.) force unChristlike attitudes, behaviors, and feelings? Are they the cause of bitterness, fear, despair, depression, etc.? Can they stop the Spirit from producing His fruit?

Surely physical problems can tempt a person to be exhausted, irritated by pain, or confused. And, it's good and reasonable to try and remove such factors by extra sleep, proper nutrition, surgery, hormones, insulin for diabetes, His sufficient provision for the soul (psyche) includes His Cross, Spirit, Scripture & Church relationships.  Medication for headaches, etc.. When they can't be reduced or removed, God promises (1 Cor 10:13; Rom 8:28) that He will provide all that is needed to respond with - and grow in - the fruit of the Spirit.

Gal 5:22-25 promises the fruit of the Spirit for everyone, without qualification. It is, in fact, a command. Scripture distinguishes between sin problems, demonic problems, & organic problems (epilepsy, etc., Mat 4:23-24). Yet nothing in Scripture excuses ungodly patterns of attitude and action. Organic damage, whether structural or biochemical,

can only alter a person's ability to receive, process, store, and communicate information. That is, the person may not be able to remember as well, tell time, or add and subtract. But the soul is still capable, and commanded by God's Word, to reflect the sweetness of Christ.

We have worked with many folks suffering from organic problems (Down's Syndrome, cancer, car accidents, etc.). While the intellectual problems of processing information are similar, the character of each person is dependent on the soul, not the brain. Some are bitter, full of self-focused fear, and lie regularly to get what they desire. Others with much worse organic damage are forgiving, giving, and impeccably honest. Not all irrational behavior is sin, some is organic. But all ungodly behavior is sin generated. Remember Nebucadnesser in Dan 4:28-34.

Often the real question is which came first, the chemical imbalance or the unbiblical pattern of attitudes and behaviors. If a person is terrified over an emergency situation, will his brain and body be filled with an abnormal amount of adrenaline? Certainly.

Suppose someone lives for years in an habitual pattern of bitter, ungrateful attitudes, rejecting God's sovereignty. Will that person's character be one of joy or depression? Will his body show an abnormal imbalance of chemicals? Of course. Yet what caused the chemical pattern? It was the person's chosen attitude, behavior, and countenance (ABC's), not the physiological or environmental circumstances. Whether from ignorance or deliberate rebellion, an unbiblical heart attitude is the origin of unChristlike behavior and emotions (Mark 7:21).

ARE PSYCHOTHERAPY AND BUDDHISM DIFFERENT?
In contrast, however, to the physical realm, Scripture does claim to be a sufficient source of knowledge for our non-physical soul (Jer 6-8; Prov 30:5-6; 1 Cor 4:6; Col 1:27-2:10; 2 Pet 1:3). "Psycho - therapy" is actually two transliterated words from New Testament Greek that mean "soul - healing". Problems of our non-physical psyche are religious matters of progressive sanctification. And, progressive sanctification - in modern terms - simply refers to the process by which the soul can change and function as the Creator designed. Therefore, all systems that claim to offer the answer to the needs of our souls (systems like psychotherapy, Buddhism, Islam, New Age philosophy, etc.) are merely theories about progressive sanctification.

But some Christian counselors still assume that adding soul theories from the world is biblically acceptable because they think Paul did so on Mars Hill (Acts 17). Yet the context clearly shows that Paul never encouraged borrowing from extra-biblical philosophy to help believers grow. Nor did he study Greek philosophy in order to enrich his own understanding of God's truth regarding the soul. He quoted a Greek philosopher in order to confront the emptiness of that system, in contrast to the sufficient fullness of God's Word. Clearly the opposite of integrating, Paul was actually clarifying the inseparable division between two systems of truth about the psyche: i.e., the truth of God vs. man's theoretical speculations.

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MODERN CHURCH?
The evangelical community long held to the sufficiency of Scripture for salvation after death. But this struggle to defend the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone, led to a neglect of the doctrine of progressive sanctification of the psyche. This neglect left a vacuum in the ministry of the church. And like osmotic pressure, the vacuum was ripe for the introduction of the non-scientific, soul-change philosophies of the world. Satan is no fool. With evolutionary philosophy as the foundation, the naturalistic theories of the world became the pseudo-scientific prescription for the problems of life and relationships.

Yet, for 2,000 years, Christ's provision has always been sufficient. His Cross, Spirit, Word, and Church relationships have never failed. Think about it. What did God do before modern psychotherapy? The theories of psychotherapy and world religions offer nothing new. Any genuine "truth" they may contain is already available within the Body of knowledge derived from Scripture through Spirit-led Christians. But if we try to integrate bits of such truths from non-Christian sources, it unavoidably introduces the worldly (1 Cor 3-4) distortions, within which such truths are encapsulated. Remember, Satan is an angel of light offering tainted truth, with a little twist (Mat 4:1-4; 2 Cor 11:14; Col 2:8).

• Note however, that using descriptive statistics to illustrate for example that teen suicide is rising is not the same as integrating psychotherapy. Such a use of factual data is simply the application of mathematics, not psychology. Yet Scripture prohibits going further and adding the world's theories to interpret the cause and effect relationship between suicide and other factors.

The only criteria for interpreting such issues of the soul are found in Scripture alone, without adding the theories of the world.

Simple enough for a child, yet profound enough for any Ph.D.

Have you ever met someone who believed that "the best" must also be the most "complicated"? Today, the prevailing view seems to be that the more convoluted and incomprehensible a theory appears, the more effective and trustworthy it must be. But this sounds like 2 Timothy 3:7 "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". Remember Jesus said in Matthew 18:4, "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." And Paul warns in 2 Cor 11:3 "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ".

Actually underneath the esoteric terminology, all counseling models are simply attempts to solve personal relationship problems. Such problems involve people and their beliefs, choices, actions, and emotions. Three problem solving elements are always addressed:

* Purpose = the goal a counselee hopes to achieve.

* Problem = the obstacle that defeats the purpose.

                    Note the problem consists of symptoms, temptations, and causes.

* Plan = the "way" to overcome the problem and fulfill the goal.

Please carefully listen to the following verses in Galatians, and ask yourself, "What is God's purpose, problem, & plan for the soul?".

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (NKJV)

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (NKJV)

Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (NKJV)

PURPOSE? (Gal 5:14; 22-23)
PROBLEM? (Gal 5:16-17)
PLAN? (Gal 5:25)

The theme in these verses is consistent with all of Scripture. God's "Way" is a person, not a program. Jesus is "the way" (Gal 2:20; 4:19; John 14:6). And through His Cross, Spirit, Word, and Church relationships - He is enough.

Not all irrational behavior is sin, some is organic. But all ungodly behavior is sin generated.

So why is such a profoundly simple plan so difficult to accept?

Same reason it's harder to throw a gold nugget in the river, than a rock!

PURPOSE - A Command With A Promise
Remember, if you don't have the right goal, then your plan is just a shot in the dark.

His Command: Be Different From this World

Gen. 1:26 & 31 Image - Very Good = reflection of His goodness, His character.
Lev 11:44 Personal holiness over happiness. (Rom 12:1; 2 Pet 3:11)
Eph 1:6, 12, 14 Glorify = doxa = same concept.

His Promise: He Guarantees It Can Be Done

John 1:18 Exo 33-34 Can't see God. But..........
2 Cor 3:18 They can see us.
1 John 4:12 No one has seen God. But........
1 John 4:16 His self-sacrificial agape nature can be seen through us.
Rom 8:28-29 Predestined & guaranteed!
Psa 37:5 He will do it.
Exo 3:14 YHWH - "I AM" - & always will be - enough (Heb 13:8).

God's Purpose In A Nutshell: HIS AGAPE LOVE

Mat 22:36-40 Sum of all Scripture - Jesus, Others, Yourself last.
John 13:34-35 New commandment - love as He loved.
Rom 13: 8&10; 14:15 Love is the fulfilling of the law.
1 Cor 13-14:1 Without love - nothing.
Gal 5:13-14 All the law fulfilled in one word - love.
Gal 5:22 ff Love: joy, peace......
Eph 3:19; 5:17 Knowing & living love of Christ = Spirit-filled.
Col 3:14 Love = bond of perfection.

His Mature Character (Different Greek terms - same concept)

Gal 3:3 "perfect" (the end goal)
Col 1:27-28 "perfect" (finished)
2 Tim 3:16-17; "perfect" (completed)
1 John 4:18 "made perfect in love"

PROBLEM (Cause + Temptations = Symptoms)

God's Counsel in Scripture vs. Man's Soul-Therapies.  A SYMPTOM Is Fruit that Grows Out Of A Root

Gal 5:16-25 Only two kinds - - Fruit of the flesh or the Spirit.
1 John 4 Counseling symptoms reveal a lack of God's love.
(Anxiety, depression, arguing, lying, cheating, etc......)
Gen. 3 Adam & Eve blamed circumstances. We do the same.
Husbands blame wives. Wives blame others.
Then we twist gripe groups into blame shifting pity-parties.

________________________________________________________________________

THE CAUSE is Rooted In THE Garden (Who Do You Love Most?)

Romans 3:23 Our sin separates us from God and His self-sacrificing nature.
1 John 4 So the cause is a lack of God living His agape through us.
Romans 5:12-21 We sin because we are sinners.
Rom 7 (Luk 11:13) The humanists are wrong. We're not basically good, but evil.
Isa 53:6; Eph 5:29 We inherently & naturally love self more than God & others.
John 15:5; 1 Cor 13; Gal 6:3; Luk 9:23-26; Philip 2.
Gen. 3 Adam & Eve chose to please self more than God.
Luk 12:47-48 Intentional or not, walking "according to the flesh" is sin.
Heb 4:12 The heart motive can only be judged by God's Spirit & Word.
Rom 8:9 The person may be unsaved and lack the Holy Spirit.
Gal 5:24 If saved he is either rebellious or untaught in how to walk.
_______________________________________________________________________

TEMPTATIONS entice in 3 ways: Things, Pleasure, & Esteem.

1 John 2:16; Gen. 3 We are tempted because we desire to please self over God.
We love & care for ourselves even at the expense of others.
Pride wants to "do it my way" (i.e., religious rules & rituals).
Luk 22:15 Desire (epithumia) is a God-given gift & not bad.
Gen. 4:6; Jam 4:3 It depends on the heart. Why we desire is the key.
James 1:13-15 Sin now causes our desire to be inherently drawn to selfishness.
Mat 4:1 ff Only Jesus can perfectly stand against these temptations.
Eze 18:20 Temptations influence symptoms, but they don't cause them.
Josh 24:15 We are responsible to choose our response.
Jer 6-8 And when counselors don't even know the cause, they're probably just treating the symptoms.

PLAN - A Person Not A Program -
Christ In You Is Your Only Hope For Counseling Needs

Col 1:27 Once a simple secret, never a complicated, legalistic program.
And it's NOT some mystical impractical concept.
1:27-2:10 His Provision = His Cross, Spirit, Word, & Church Body
        Cross- Rom 6
        Spirit- Eph 5:17-18; Gal 5
        Word- Pro 30:5-6; 1 Cor 4:6; 2 Tim 3:16-17; John 17:17; Psa 19
        Body- Eph 4:11-13; 1 Cor 5:9 ff; 1 Cor 12-14; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 2:4.

John 14:6 Jesus is the way to overcome the problems.
14:26-27 He is our peace. John 15:4-13 He is our joy.
Gal 3:3; Good News: Its not 10 laws or 12 steps, but "by My Spirit says the Lord" Zech 4:6
John 17:3 An intimate relationship of submitting one's will to His will.
Not a list of religious or psychological rules like Buddhism!

True Faith is Submission To His Spirit & Word, not a feeling.
It is belief "in" Him, not just belief "about" Him.

Gal 3:1 ff Legalistic, programs are witchcraft. Col 2:23
1 Cor 4:6 Experience over Scripture = dangerous instability. Eph 4:14
2 Pet 1:19 The more sure evidence is the written prophetic word of Scripture.

God's Way Is Simply To Walk (March as an obedient soldier)
Gal 5:25 "Stoichea" = march as a soldier under authority.
Col 2:6 "peripateo" = Lordship around everything your walk touches.
Every thought, word, and deed.
Mat 11:28-30 Yoked to a stronger ox. (Like Spot at the Zoo).
Mat 22:36-40 Choosing to love God above all, others, second, & self last!

This Is War Folks, Not Vacation At Disney World!
Why do the epistles (the marching orders for victory in the church) contain no reference to exorcising demons out of Christians? Why did Paul wait days before he cast the demons out of the slave girl in Acts 16:16? What happens when a demonized person is born again? Do we, as some suggest, need to spend hours in verbal battle with demons as they speak through another person?

Eph 6:10 ff A classic passage, yet often grossly misunderstood.
2 Cor 10:3-5 The mind is the battleground. Militias won't stop antichrist.
2 Cor 11:3 Lies are Satan's main weapon. Believers can't be demonized.
Act 16:16 f Unbelievers? Why did Paul wait days to exorcise the slave girl?
Luk 11:24-26 Demonized unbelievers need the Spirit, not "Christian" voodoo.
2 Cor 12:12 The "signs of an apostle", are not signs of non-apostles.
Jam 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9 Simply stand firm and resist, refusing to follow the lies.
Jude 8-9 Humble childlike faith, asking the Father to intervene and let the gospel do its work (Rom 1:16) is sufficient.
Prideful showmanship is dangerous.

Please think about the following questions prayerfully and biblically:
If Scripture claims to be a sufficient source of knowledge for healing the soul (psyche), then is it both unnecessary and dangerously wrong to add to God's Word for counseling the soul? What biblical evidence supports your belief?

Can true physical problems stop the Holy Spirit's Fruit?
Can tumors, CNS damage, chemical imbalances, hormonal changes, etc. force unChristlike behavior? Can a woman blame PMS for the fact that she beat her child with her fists? Can an abnormal level of a neurotransmitter cause someone to live in paranoid fear instead of Christ's peace, or suicidal depression instead of Christ's overflowing joy?

Can a homosexual become a heterosexual through Christ alone?
Is homosexuality a genetic trait that a person is not responsible for? Is God wrong when Scripture calls it a chosen, sinful, attitude and behavior?

Can an "addict" walk the straight line of God?
Is alcoholism a disease or a sinful habit pattern? What about the new "diseases" of "eating disorders", "sexual addictions", etc.?

Can a bitter marriage become intimate oneness in Christ?
How can the restoration of Christ's Lordship affect a broken marriage? What if your spouse doesn't submit to the Lord and continues to act unkind? Can the other spouse still live the fruit of the Spirit and glorify God? What if a husband is physically abusive?

• Soul (Psyche) Problems Are Lordship Issues •

First a summary of Part One's principles:

• Sufficiency - Christ provision (His Cross, Spirit, Word, & Church) were, are, and always will be enough for any soul (psyche) problem.
• All Apparent "Truth"? - Is not always the truth of God.
• We're Not Getting Older . . . - We're all dying a slow death.
• Test tubes can't test the soul (psyche) - Science is limited to the physical realm.
• Psychotherapy - "soul healing" = religious philosophy.
• God's Balance - Falls between ritualistic legalism and passive mysticism.
• A Person Not A Program - Marching under submission.
• The Key is Lordship - Who is in control? Jesus or self. True faith is a decision to believe "in" (submit to) His rule over though, word, & deed.
• Simple But Not Easy - Christ in you is simple enough for a little child, yet profound enough for any Ph.D.. It's not complex, yet it is hard due to selfishness.
• Practical Problem Solving - Purpose, Problem, Plan
• 3-D Problems - Symptoms, Cause, Temptations
• Heart Root - Yields the Fruit of the Flesh or the Spirit.
• Our Main Problem - Loving self more than God & neighbor.
• Three Temptations - Desiring things, pleasure, & esteem for self over God.
• The Agape Way - The sum of all Scripture = self-sacrificial submission.
• J.O.Y. - Priorities = Jesus - Others - Yourself last. The cry for more self-love and esteem is a deception. If you seek first to save your (psyche) you will loose it.
• A.B.C.'s - Only the Spirit can produce Christ's character, as we respond with submissive faith in our attitude, behavior, and countenance.
• It's Not Vacation at Disney World - The battleground is the mind, the soul (psyche). The truth of His Word is our sword against the "angel of light".
• Beware of Christian Voodoo - Remember, Christians can't be demonized.

1. EMOTIONS (Chemical? Circumstantial? or Heart Attitude?)

Example: Why are people afraid of roaches?

Depression? (Life's not fair. I deserve better than this") Really?
Mat 5:14 - There's a mirror in front of the lighthouse!
A self-focused looking glass.
Prov 12:25 - "Anxiety in the heart causes depression."
Philip 4:4 ff - Scripture commands no anxiety (Mat 6:33-34)
John 14:27 - Jesus promises peace for everyone.
Gen. 4:6-7 - "Why has your countenance fallen (depressed)?"
Jonah 4:4 - "Is it right for you to be angry" (Bitter self-pity?).
Heart Hurricane - (Escalating Tropical Depression) Self-focused spiral of attitudes, behaviors, & emotions.
Gal 5:22-24 - The fruit of the Spirit is agape, joy, peace....
1 John 4:18 - Mature (unselfish) love cast out fear, depression....
Philip 4:4-13 - Embracing God's sovereignty is the key.

2. HOMOSEXUALITY (Creator Rejection?)
Gen. 2 - Adam & Eve, not Steve. (The only genes involved are Calvin Klein's androgynous TV ads).
1 Cor 6:10-11 - "But such were some of you. (Anyone can change).
Rom 1:18-27 - Rejecting the Creator's design.
How do people end up homosexual? Many common avenues...

Examples:
Often through childhood molestation.
- If a girl is abused forcibly by a man, she often responds to heterosexuality by either fear (withdrawal) and or bitterness. The result can be emotional numbness in marriage or even the embracing of lesbianism. Some go the other direction and embrace heterosexuality as a tool to get things (prostitutes, etc.).

- Boys are usually seduced into molestation and the male body responds much more easily than a female. Thus, memories of pleasure pull toward future homosexual acts, and then shame tempts the boy to doubt his own masculinity. (Vicious cycle).

Others gravitate toward homosexuality to avoid rejection. Everyone wants acceptance. Think about it. Why would anyone end up a hermit, hooker, or girlfriend of abusive guys? When people are deceived into believing you can't be what God designed, settle for less.

- A boy with a extra gift of compassion and sensitivity doesn't like to hunt animals, and likes to nurture them instead. Dad regularly ridicules him as a "sissy", a "queer", etc. The boy believes (falsely) that he can't fit into the male mold so try the alternative.

- The same can occur with a girl, labeled as a "tomboy", etc.

** These examples don't excuse the sinful behavior, but merely reveals why such a high percentage of homosexuals have similar backgrounds.

And by the way, yes it is a choice. It's a slow & subtle process of choice, but still a choice. No, not a day when the person said, "I think I'd like to be an homosexual (or a hooker)". Yet, bit by bit, year after year the little chosen steps of attitudes and actions led to the same end. Other young people with similarly hurtful histories have chosen to submit to God's design and reject the temptations to homosexuality.

3. "ADDICTIONS" (Co-Idolatry, not just co-dependency)
(Alcohol, other drugs, food, sex, gambling, "shop-ahololic", etc.)
AA's introductions: "Hi, I'm Joe & I'm an addict".
A Christian introduction: "Hi, I'm Sid & I'm a new creation in Christ!" (2 Cor 5).
John 8:34 "...becomes a slave of sin"
John 15:5 Can't stop without Jesus
Rom 6:16 "...you are ... slaves [of] whom you obey"
1 Joh 2:16 Habituated to the pleasure it gives to self.
Choice to please self at the expense of God & neighbor.
Love self more than God and neighbor.
AA's generic "god as you understand him to be" is idolatry, a false god of your imagination.
Mat 10:33 Jesus said any group who denies His Lordship,
He will deny them before God the Father.
John 8:11 Jesus said, "...go and sin no more"
He didn't say, "Go and gradually reduce the sinful behavior, while you get therapy". He said stop.

Why is that good news?
Gal 5:23 What is the last manifestation of the Spirit's fruit?

4. MARITAL CONFLICT (Too Many Chiefs?)

(From Sid & Linda's marriage retreat workbook, "Marriage For These Last Days")
[Gen. 1-3; 1 Cor 11; 1 Tim 2; Eph 4-6; 1 Pet 3-5; Titus 2.........]

The "S" Word! - Hypotasso = a military term for "get in line under" - ultimately the mighty hand of God.

Plan = Christ in You !
[1 Pet 2:23; 1 Pet 3:1&7; 5:6

Why is it wise to stay under God's mighty hand? (Lions or gators).
Strong Homes - Pyramid with three levels (Mat 7:24-27)
Heart Problem - Pump or Sponge [Eph 5:18; John 7:37-39]

Missionary Motive - To paint a Picture [Eph 5:32; Mat 22:30 - won't be married forever]

Communication - Heart to Heart Understanding (to truly "know" one another) [Gen. 4:1; Joh 17:3; Deut 24:5; Prov 18:13 & 17; Eph 4]

First The Counseling Field In A Nutshell: ONLY 3 CATEGORIES

1. NON-CHRISTIAN (Five Basic Models):
These models use only the theoretical philosophies of the unregenerate world system.
If you've heard of any of the following approaches or authors, please check the boxes below:
• Depth Analysis (Freud, Jung, etc...)
• Behaviorism (Skinner, Watson, etc....)
• Humanism (Maslow, Rogers, Ellis, Glasser, etc....)
• Pharmacology (Professional using prescription medication or laymen using street drugs)
• Transpersonal (Mixing psychology & New Age philosophies, or other religions)
** This is the fastest growing world philosophy for abundant life! And it is founded on the error of pantheistic evolution, progresses into socialism, then culminates in the ancient deception of self-deification.

• What sources of error are potential in non-Christian models?
• Errors from interpretation of Scripture? • Errors from integration of man's philosophy?
Should any of these be added to God's Way of progressive sanctification found in Scripture?

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If yes, what evidence do you have that supports your belief?
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2. CHRISTIAN ECLECTIC INTEGRATION (Numerous models):
These models intentionally mix biblical principles with the theoretical philosophies of the non-Christian world system.

• Larry Crabb • Peale • •
• Minirth-Meier • Smalley • •
• RAPHA • Neal Anderson • •
• James Dobson • • •
• Robert Schuller • • •
• What sources of error are potential in these models?
• Errors from interpretation of Scripture? • Errors from integration of man's philosophy?

3. BIBLICAL (Numerous models):
These models are derived from inductive and systematic exegesis of Scripture only.
• Nouthetic Counseling • Jay Adams • Henry Blackaby
• Wayne Mack • David Powlison • Henry Brandt
• John Mac Arthur • Richard Ganz •
• Ed Bulkley • Martin Bobgan •
• What sources of error are potential in these models?
• Errors from interpretation of Scripture? • Errors from integration of man's philosophy?

Scripture's Prophetic Warnings About Counseling!
Fight the good fight - Time is short & people are in danger!

Col 1:27-28 Warning every man.
Col 2:6 Marching orders.
Col 2:8 Don't become a P.O.W. (Prisoner of Worldliness)
Transpersonal psychology is the fastest growing field.
Col 3:14 Attitude check. Remember Gal 5:16-25
2 Tim 2:1-4 Watch out for trip wires.
2 Tim 3:1 Last Days - Dangerous - Why?

Cruise Ship Christianity or The Titanic?
v. 2 Lovers of self more than lovers of God
v. 5 A program for godliness, denying Jesus (12-steps?)
v. 6 Women captivated & deceived (Who goes to counseling most? Women)
v. 7 Impressive mass of information, without THE truth.
vv. 16-17 Scripture is sufficient for maturity of soul (psyche).

2 Tim 4:1 Charged before the Judge!
v. 2 Give people the Word, not the world's wisdom.
v. 3 False teachers of the soul, to scratch the psyche - so people can "feel good" even when they aren't good.

The Liar & The Big Lie (John 8:44)
Gen. 3 You shall be like God. (Isa 14; Eze 28)
Self-love to self-esteem to self-gratification to self-deification (the original self-deception).
New Age, transpersonal psych. exponential infection.
2 Thes 2:4 Anti-Christ: A self-made man worshiping his creator.
Rev 12:11 Christ in You: Putting self last for God & neighbor.
Rev 22:20 Will the true Jesus please stand up? Act 7:55
Mat 24; Rev Sadly some sensationalize prophecy issues.
But, while we won't know the day or hour, we will know the season when the fig tree blooms.
Keep your eyes on Israel & the "city of peace", as the world comes together seeking solutions to
terrorism, environmental melt-down, economic instability, "religious" & ethnic wars, plagues, etc.
Be alert to the signs of the times. And let them motivate you to ACTION!

PLEASE - DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!
1 JO 5:10-13 Are you sure you'll go to heaven?
If so, are you living for self or God and those in need?

For Further Investigation of the Evidence see our BCTC suggested Recommended Reading: http://www.soulcare.org/resources.htm

Remember: Always speak the truth, in love.