Category Archives: Godly Counsel

Overcoming Anxiety

Today we continue a series of articles that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Everyone will admit that anxiety is the enemy of the mind and another weapon used by the devil. Anxiety is constant worry about making the right decision or the outcome concerning a decision already made. Anxiety is worrying about having enough money to pay the bills, where you’re going to get your next meal, where you are going to sleep, or many other things. Worry can cause a great deal of stress and frustration, which allows the enemy to bring to your mind evil and dangerous thoughts. In short worry opens the door for the devil. The Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7, italics are mine). Continue reading Overcoming Anxiety

Temptation

Temptation is another while of the devil, but the Christian can overcome it by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. Only righteousness can turn away temptation. We must learn how to walk in righteousness at all times. In fact, the more we walk in righteousness, the easier it becomes to deal with temptation and the evil thoughts that come into our mind. The Apostle Paul received this wisdom directly from the Lord. So let’s go take a closer look. In a quite lengthily passage in the letter to the Ephesians (See Ephesians 4:17-32), the apostle describes in detail with multiple examples on how this works. He says we must put off the old life by putting off such things as falsehood, anger, stealing, and, unwholesome talk, all bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, and malice. Understand that this list is not exhaustive but only examples of the old life. Secular counselors typically will not discuss this list because this bad behavior is considered biblical sin and it goes against their philosophy that the counselee is simply sick and in need of a label. Most Christians understand they need to put off the old life for which we can get help and direction from the commands of God. But here is the problem; they have not clearly understood the importance of putting something in place of the old life. They have not understood that once you put something off (that is, you have stopped doing it), then it creates a void in your life. Putting off the old life is like removing the trash from your house, sweeping it clean, putting everything in order, but not allowing the invited guest to enter. In the same way many Christians will legalistically stop doing the things they shouldn’t do, but fail to do the things that they should, in so doing they live empty and unfulfilled lives in constant danger of temptation and being dragged back into the same sin. Continue reading Temptation

Depression

Depression is an exhaustive subject that needs our serious consideration, because of the great number of people now experiencing its devastating effect. Webster’s dictionary simply states that depression is an emotional condition characterized by feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, etc. I am afraid that definition is now inadequate to say the least. Although a mild form of depression may be as simple as feeling sort of sad or that things just aren’t working out as they should. It can on the other hand turn quickly into a more serious condition if not dealt with properly.

Continue reading Depression

Guilt

As we have already seen in the previous article many different problems not dealt with biblically can cause depression.  The more unresolved problems the deeper the depression. So let’s look at another major problem that many Christians experience because they have not turned to God’s Word, but have chosen to listen to the world’s counselors. The problem of guilt is an issue never dealt with in psychiatry. Yet it is very common for the devil to keep whispering in your ear that you have not been really forgiven and if believed your guilt remains. Guilt is a virus that eats deeply into the heart of man keeping him from experiencing the joy of his salvation.

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Fear

The world is gripped with fear for many different reasons, such as life-threatening illness, losing your job, being deeply in debt, hounded by your creditors, arrested as a Christian or facing persecution along with many other problems can cause fear and if not dealt with in a biblical way can also cause depression. So as a Christian, how do you respond to fear in a biblical way? If you have a life-threatening illness, or lost your job or been arrested and cannot work or even facing persecution, you may feel as though you have lost everything and may even lose your life. You may feel helpless to provide for your love ones. You may need a complete re-orientation on how you have been looking at things. You may need what they call a reality check.

Continue reading Fear