What’s Different about Christian Counseling?

God’s apostle Paul was sensitive to human need as persons should be. He said we should not just please ourselves but bear the weaknesses and carry the burdens of those who are weaker and thus fulfill the law of Christ which is love (Rom. 15:1; Gal. 5:14; 6:2). There may be as many theories and approaches to counseling as there are counselors. And even the best-trained counselors may not help counselees to improve.

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We are imperfect, limited people living in a complex, confusing world. We need an empathetic friend with a listening ear who will keep confidences, help us gain new insights, guide us to weigh alternatives and make wise decisions for our lives. We have crippling emotions, inner conflicts, self-defeating attitudes and habits, pressures and issues that try our souls. God’s intent is that Christians be available to listen, care, understand, encourage and help fellow human beings unload and overcome our burdens to find new and fulfilling direction for our lives.

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But while Christian counseling has some things in common with non-Christian counseling, there are some crucial differences. Let’s look at them.

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Different Christian Assumptions

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Human counselors bring their assumptions to the counseling process that influences our judgments and comments. For example, a secular humanist counselor believes we live in a universe indifferent to our fate. This viewpoint excludes so much that Christians believe true and necessary to human well-being—a compassionate sovereign God, prayer, the Bible, divine forgiveness, and life after death.

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While Christians can vary in theology, to be truly Christian they have definite beliefs about the attributes of God, human nature, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, God’s forgiveness, and hope for the future. These beliefs make a world of difference in their counseling. Consider the teaching of Hebrews 1:1-4 as an example.

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“God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person , and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

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Different Christian Goals

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Secular counselors encourage persons to change self-defeating behavior, attitudes, values and perceptions. They encourage counselees to develop social skills, express emotions, accept responsibility, solve problems and become mature productive persons.

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In addition to these goals, Christian counselors challenge counselees to confess sin and experience divine forgiveness, give their lives to Christ, model Christian biblical standards, attitudes, values, lifestyles, and share their faith with others.

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Critics, of course, will complain that’s teaching religion. But religion is unavoidably taught whether it be godly and Christian, or ungodly and anti-Christian. We can’t compartmentalize our lives and be whole persons. And unlike some others, Christians are to respect human free will and not try to force their beliefs on others. We are to be honest, respectful people helpers.

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Different Christian Methods

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All counselors seek to show help is possible, correct false beliefs, develop competence in social living, and help persons see themselves as persons of worth.

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 Unlike social humanists, Christian counselors don’t regard persons as merely perishing animals. This destroys the basis for absolute truth, a higher dignity, human rights, moral absolutes, and life after death—it provides no basis to draw an ethical stopping point. But in Christ, the revealed God-man, we can show concern and respect for persons yet disapprove of destructive behaviors such as violence, abusive language, abusing others, premarital sex, extra marital affairs, homosexuality, incest, sex with animals, and murder. And of course, prayer, Scripture reading and sharing, Bible teaching, and local church involvement are vital therapies. Sacrificial love for God and love for man is the heart of being a Christian people helper.

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Different Christian Characteristics

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Empathetic friends and pastors can handle many everyday problems. Unlike secular counselors, God gives Christians a spiritual gift such as teaching, preaching, exhortation and so on to aid them in ministry (1 Cor. 12:7). Also, Christians have the Holy Spirit with us who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-10). But deep longstanding mental and emotional disturbances require skilled professionally trained counselors.

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Perspective counselors need to ask themselves some questions concerning those they might help. (1) Ask them what their problem is. But realize that the real problem may surface later. (2) Is this something I can handle with my knowledge and skill? Determine how serious and how long this person might need counsel. (3) Would someone else be more qualified to help? Sometimes referrals are best. (4) Devise a plan or approach to help with this particular problem.

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Christian colleges give courses and grant degrees in psychological counseling. The counselor’s personality plays a vital part of his effectiveness. Is he or she a warm, sensitive, understanding, patient, caring person willing to confront the counselee when needed? Does the counselor show qualities such as trustworthiness, emotional health, honesty and competence? Knowledge and skills are necessary to resolving serious psychological problems.

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Difference in Jesus as our Role Model

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Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God (Isa. 9:6). He used different methods in different circumstances. Sometimes he simply listened and gently asked questions and made requests as with the woman caught in the act of adultery and the woman at Jacob’s well. At other times, he boldly rebuked sins and abuses as with the Pharisee legalists who made up their own laws circumventing God’s laws being a burden on the people. He debated hostile skeptics trying to trap him with what they thought was an unanswerable question—taxes to Caesar and whose wife in the resurrection. He told stories such as the good Samaritan and prodigal son to illustrate God’s love. He accepted sinners and ate with them whom others rejected such as Zaccheus the despised tax collector. And Jesus preached sermons on ethics (Sermon on the Mount) and prophecy (Olivet Discourse) to change lives as well.

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One book I’m indebted to and highly recommend to counselors is, Christian Counseling, A Comprehensive Guide by Dr. Gary R. Collins. He explains both biblical teaching and proven counseling methods.

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