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| Is Psychology the Answer to Spiritual Freedom? |
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One of the things that I see that hamper people’s walk is a reluctance to engage in the spiritual battle. They are happy to ask someone else to fight the battle for them by interceding on their behalf. To be sure, this is a way we are to wage war against Satan’s attacks. However, the Bible exhorts believers that to be successful in overcoming Satan’s strategies it is imperative to learn to fight the battle ourselves as well. Ephesians 6:12-20 makes it clear that intercessory prayer is one venue the Church is to wage war, but to be successful requires individual Christians to put on the full armor of God. What I would like to do in this blog is to examine briefly the nature of the battle and the worldview that renounces any problem to be spiritual in origin. I definitely welcome and encourage feedback. We can all learn from one another. Apparently there was a tendency in the Ephesian church to not take in account the unseen forces that contribute to what is taking place in the natural realm. Paul states, “12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Paul follows up this statement with a commission to the Ephesians church to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground …” The reluctance to not see the unseen spiritual reality seems to be a bit of an oddity when one considers that engaging in spiritual warfare was very much a part of Christ’s ministry. On many occasions Jesus did indeed cast out demons. Paul Hebert, former professor of missiology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School wrote a paper several years ago entitled The Excluded Middle. In the paper he details how post Enlightenment naturalistic thinking has effected the West’s theological presuppositions. Western Theology acknowledges a two tiered system consisting of a natural realm (what we perceive with our 5 senses) and a spiritual realm (God, angels, demons, miracles etc.). The problem is that the two never intersect. This is what Hebert defines as the excluded middle. For instance, if someone has a problem there is a naturalistic explanation. If someone is reaping the consequences of hatred in his or her heart, he or she is said to have some sort of disorder. However, the Bible says something quite different. If a person holds unforgiveness in his or her heart, that person is giving place to the Devil. If this is the case, repentance and spiritual warfare become the answer and not a psychological answer. While Western theology embraced a modified naturalistic worldview, Western society increasingly bought in to it hook, line, and sinker. Consequently, instead of embracing a Christian framework for looking at people’s and society’s problems, American culture became enamored by post enlightenment naturalistic thinking. The result was that American culture increasingly embraced psychology as being the special revelation that they would live by. The end result, according to Christopher Lasch, was the development of a therapeutic culture. Indeed this culture developed over time. It was a direct result, I believe, of court cases that took place over several decades that allowed the therapeutic culture to develop. Consider the following: 1950’s – Pychotropic medications introduced 1957 - Short-Doyle Acts, which “provided funding for mental health clinics in each county through the United States.” This allowed for the deinstitutionalizing of patients, which, I might add, was a good thing. 1963 - Community Mental Health Center Act of 1963 – This allowed for chronic mentally ill patients to receive medication so they could be served on an outpatient basis. “The Community Mental Health Act was originally intended to serve chronically ill patients, but soon mental health workers began seeing healthier, less dysfunctional patients …” 1960’s – An increase in professional studies in psychology and counseling. Universities began programs that were geared towards psychology and counseling. 1960’s – 1970’s – Insurance companies began paying for counseling to people with Master’s degrees which made professional counseling even more accessible to the general public. 1980’s – Present – The emergence of a therapeutic culture. It has enveloped ever facet of our society including our schools, law, government, media, celebrities etc. Because society accepted naturalism, they sought naturalistic answers to their problems. The end result has been looking at people’s problems through a psychological instead of a theological grid. The consensus thinking deemed those qualified to counsel would be only individuals who had a psychiatric background. The rejection of the Bible resulted in pastors by in large being perceived to be incompetent to counsel if they only had a Bible background. Thus, what had transpired was that a therapeutic culture had been cultivated resulting in psychology replacing the Bible for solving mankind’s problems. (It should not surprise us that while psychology was on the rise regarding its influence, the biblical criticism movement was making its assault on the inerrancy of the Bible, which caused many people to doubt the Bible). I must make something clear at this point. I am not saying psychology is all together bad. To the contrary, I believe it can be helpful, so long as whatever method it postulates, it is filtered through a theological grid in order to make sure it lines up with Scripture. What I am advocating is looking at problems from Biblical presuppositions. Those presuppositions include the following. - There is a spiritual realm which includes angels, demons, Satan, and God.
- Satan is NOT SOVEREIGN. This is not a battle against God and Satan. God is all powerful and Satan is simply a created being under God’s control.
- Satan is the source of all rebellion
- Satan rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven
- The cosmic rebellion then became an earthly rebellion starting in the garden
- This took place because humanity was lead into rebellion against the rule of God by Satan
- He tempted Adam and Eve, and thus brought sin into the world.
- Like he did to Adam and Eve, Satan seeks to deceive people and try to get them to sin by tempting them with various temptations
- When sin takes place, the one sinning is giving place to the Devil and allowing him to control that part of their lives.
- Since there is a reality of sin and Satan, any counseling should take into consideration the aforementioned causes of problems.
- Therefore, one can conclude that many, if not most of people’s problems, originate because of sin
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MaKelly |
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September 01, 2007 at 7:51am |
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Pastor Tim I have a book a Friend gave me because my daughter was going through a battle, I read it and found out a lot of thing concerning (Psychology in warfare) a must read Called( Pigs in the Parlot by Frank & Ida Mae Hammind Bible based) A Practical Guide to Deliverance. The world calls it a Psychology illness but we know that it is a attact from satan & his demonds. Mark 16:17 These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages.*
SPIRITUAL WARFARE, GOD’S WORD ON
In order to be effective on the battlefield a soldier must be both well trained and properly equipped. The warrior must have access, as well, to both a defensive stronghold and offensive weaponry. He or she must know the enemy and be alert for surprise attacks. So it is in our spiritual battle with Satan. Determined to destroy our faith by leading us into sin and discouragement, Satan attacks with blatant temptation and deceptive lies. The Bible teaches that the best weapons for this warfare are the Word of God and prayer.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT “SPIRITUAL WARFARE”?
Ephesians 6:10-18 . . . Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.
Spiritual warfare necessitates our being prepared fully, through prayer, faith, and truth, to defeat our spiritual enemy.
1 Peter 5:8-9 . . . Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy.
We must be alert at all times for the sneak attacks of the evil one.
James 4:7 . . . Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
When we resist the devil in the name and power of Jesus, he must flee from us.
Matthew 4:1-11 . . . Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say . . .”
When under attack by the tempter, Jesus relied on the Word of God to resist the lies of his adversary.
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michele |
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September 01, 2007 at 7:59am |
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| Hey Tim , my believe on your question is very simple ...Jesus is the way the truth and the life, if we are in the spirit then we are led of the spirit, I do not believe that psychology is the answer for anyone, we cannot add "extra biblical " solutions to mans problems, leave it to the human nature to want that, that is the problem in christianity Christ is only part on the throne of peoples lives, If you look at David how many times he "cried unto the Lord" and what did he do HE DELIVERED HIM or HE HEARD HIM!! Glory to God , mans reasoning has no room for what the spirit led person can do , someone can have such long rooted mental abuse, and just one word of knowledge can set that person free, I myself had deep rooted issues of anger ,I locked myself in my room and did not come out till Christ set me free, I was there for awhile and Praise God He set me free, I did not have to get any psychological help although it did cross my mind, No Christ is the answer!!! we do not need "mans ways" any longer getting in the way of the woderful plan of God, we need to seek him more and allow him to be on the throne!! Blessings michele |
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MaKelly |
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September 01, 2007 at 8:16am |
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God is the greatest Physician. |
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Grant |
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September 01, 2007 at 8:42am |
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Excellent discussion! When I was in Bible College, I was taught that Proverbs was the world's best psychology book. Since then, I have learned that Psychology actually was the domain of the Church before the world took it over, or perhaps we could say that the Church allowed the world to encroach upon something that was up until then, the Church's territory.
Analyze the word Psychology and you come up with the "study of the things of the soul." After all, in theology we learn that one of the words translated as soul in English is the Greek word "psyche." Add the Greek word "logos" and we have psychology.
The Church used to also be the patron of the arts and a host of other things. We have lost ground to the world. I think that it's time that we, the Church, began taking those things back that we have allowed the world to take over from us.
Blessings, Grant. |
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Grant |
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September 01, 2007 at 8:52am |
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That being said, I think that the topic of spiritual warfare is a much misunderstood one in the Christian community. So many seem to have adopted the techniques of witchcraft and called it spiritual warfare. All this Christianized hocus pocus just serves as a counterfeit to mask the fact that there is really a spiritual battle going on that most of the Church is losing.
In my opinion, the ENTIRE Christian Church is in danger from this spiritual battle and it is a battle being waged on EVERY front. If you are a traditional Christian (Catholic or Orthodox), Satan wants to deceive you into thinking that your traditions or church "authority" can save you. If you are a conservative Protestant, Satan wants to deceive you that your man-made rules will save you. If you are a liberal Protestant, Satan wants to deceive you that your loving service will save you. If you are a Pentecostal Protestant, Satan wants to deceive you that tongues proves you are filled and you don't need to change your life and be any more filled.
Our ONLY hope is not tradition, rules, service or spiritual gifts. Our only hope is Christ. Our only Savior in this spiritual war is Christ. No pope, prophet, apostle or evangelist can save us in this battle except Jesus. May we submit to him so that the devil will flee (James 4:7)! |
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Deb |
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September 01, 2007 at 9:16am |
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| Pastor Tim, this is a great blog. I do think that people tend to not think about spiritual warfare, but it is very real. My husband and I were separated, and we did get counseling, but one of the things that we both agreed upon, was that we needed to have a Christian counselor. She helped us a great deal, and her counseling was based on biblical beliefs, and I truly believe that God was working through her to help us battle the demons that were trying to destroy our marriage. |
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Gene |
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September 01, 2007 at 11:05am |
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First and foremost is that personal relationship with God through Christ. Rather than a trite statement that this has become in some circles, actually living this out has a very profound affect on every aspect of our lives. Our framework for being loved is rooted in what we have actually experienced from God, not on what our imagination tells us we need because of what we heard or seen from others. Our desire for approval, to please, and to serve is focused on God and not on our spouse, our boss, our kids, or our neighbor.
When our focus is first on God, we find that our need for approval, for love, for purpose, for forgiveness, and for acceptance for just the way we are all met.
The real value for psychology comes into play as a means of helping us identify our real hopes, our real fears, the ways in which are souls are damaged, and the damage that we have inflicted upon others.
Equipped with the love of God and a new level of awareness of who we really are through psychology, we can again approach the throne in the confidence in Christ and experience an ever greater relationship with the Lord our God.
I heard once that the single biggest reason people seek therapy is in our inability to forgive, or in our inability to accept forgiveness. I content that these problems occur because we don't take the time to nurture our relationship with Christ. |
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| As I said via message to you Pastor Tim, psychology is NO substitute. Thus I agree w/what you've written. But I would like to see someone attempt to describe the role psychology does play. :-) |
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Thanks, Michelle, Grant, MaKelly, Gene and Deb. A biblical approach is indeed the answer to victory.
Mike, I love the question that you have proposed regarding the role of psychology. I will briefly attempt to offer my answer. I Also invite more critique and discussion on this issue.
As a starting point, I would say that there are two different types of revelation that God has given. Natural revelation and special revelation. Natural revelation is how God has revealed himself through nature. Thus, there are certain truths that can be discovered through scientific oberservtion.
Special revelation, on the other hand, is God revealing himself through Scripture. Thus we discover truth through God's Word. Since all truth is God's truth, whether it is via natural and special revelation, is still God's truth. R C Sproll confers with this line of thought. He statesthat he holds "to the classical Christian view of the relationship between general revelation and special revelation, and the thesis that no truth of any kind can be discovered apart from God’s revelation. With Augustine, Aquinas, and all of orthodox Christianity, I believe that all truth is God's truth."
Psychology can be used to understand patterns of behavior that can assist us in undertsanding people's problems. The key point to keep in mind when utilizing psychology is that special revelation should be used to interpret natural revelation and not vice versa. |
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Good good topic! I want toi pick up from where Grant left off. He said, "Analyze the word Psychology and you come up with the "study of the things of the soul." After all, in theology we learn that one of the words translated as soul in English is the Greek word "psyche." Add the Greek word "logos" and we have psychology." In one of my workshops titled: "Put On The New Man" I explain the struggle of the soul as a new creature in Christ . Unfortunately, I cannot upload a picture, it would make it easier to explain, so I'll try it another way.
Imagine a snowman made of 3 circles, small, medium, and large. For this discussion we will focus on the "medium" part of the snow(man). Man consists of three parts: mind, soul and spirit, all of which is housed in our body. Now the "medium" area of our snow(Man) is our "soul" realm (psyche). It is the seat of our Emotions ; my wants, my appetite, my desires- the "I FEEL". Every child born, is born into a world of sin, in other words, that first breath is a sinful one, the nature of the child is a sinful one. I want what I want, when I want it!
Jesus died on the cross to save our "souls". He died to save us from our desires. That's what got us in this mess in the first place. Genesis chapter 2. Now in this culture, they call it being emotionally under-developed; as if this applies to some and not all. According to the bible it is simply sin. Therefore, the "I Feel" I feel depressed, I feel anxious, I feel disappointed, I feel bitter, I feel unloved, I feel hatred, etc; are the results of : 1. The unsaved person - left with no other recourse but seek therapy. 2. The saved person - who has received Jesus Christ as Savior, but not as Lord, who has received salvation, but deliverance is a "process". It's such a paradox indeed and no one understood it more than Paul when he says in Romans 7:15 "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. "
This is the battle of spiritual warfare.
Pastor Aminata
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Jeremy |
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September 01, 2007 at 2:07pm |
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I think psycholgy is a reactive mechanism for immediate mental health issues (or at least thats how it is used), very rarely is it preventative. However faith and the full armor of god, along with the gifts of the spirit are means and the only way of winning against satan's psychological or physical attacks. You make some excellent points Pastor Tim.
I would say a great example of this theory in action is the recent CNN report on Denise Jackson. I got it as a linked post on my blog. http://www.mychurch.org/blog/57058/CNN--Country-Stars-Wife-on-marriage-crash-and-rebirth |
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Jeremy |
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September 01, 2007 at 2:08pm |
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| Denise Jackson could have easily looked for theropy but instead she went in search of strengthening her relationship with God, and her marriage was saved. Praise the Lord!! |
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I enjoyed reading all the comments and discussion on this topic! I am so glad to see that our Christian leaders (as evidenced by the many pastoral responses to this blog) are promoting a balanced, biblical view on this issue. Christ truly is the answer to ALL our needs, including our mental/emotional health. |
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| Amen! and Amen! It has frequently driven me bonkers that so many people (even Christians) will talk about some questionable behavior with the qualifier, "It's normal." The problem with that is that we are living after the fall, so the only "normal" behavior we know about is sinful! One of the better books I've see on this subject is "Competent to Counsel" by Jay Adams. Jay was a pastor who was frustrated with little conseling material coming from a Biblical perspective -- all that was out there was humanistic psychology. So he did the research, and came up with this book -- I think it was in the late '60s or early 70's (can't find my copy at the moment). He doe quite a bit with the presuppositions of both, and it is fascinating to see how distant the conclusions are when you have a different starting point. |
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Mortify Sin.
Yes, I enjoyed reading Competent to Counsel as well. He is the progenetor of the neuthetic (I Think this is how you spell it) method of counseling. He had a lot of influence on the counseling department at Westminister Theological Seminary. Other well known pastors that ascribe to this method of counseling is John MacArthur and I think Alistar Begg. |
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| Other well known pastors that ascribe to this method of counseling ARE John MacArthur and I think Alistar Begg. |  |
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| Aminita and Jeremy, thanks you for your comments. Fighting the spiritual fight is definitely the path to victory. |
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I work for a mental health concern here in Terre Haute, I used to be all about sciences approach to all things, currently I have flip flopped to the other extreme. I only have a high school diploma, but I work here as I'm an addict that stayed clean via AA/NA for 18 years. Sooner or later I had to face this question that either Christ is who he sais he is or he's a liar or a lunatic.
I decided Christ is who he sais he is, I think when it comes to mental illness we should seek God 1st and if medical help is needed he'll tell us. Where I struggle with this is when I seek God's wisdom I want it now and if I don't get it quick enough I tend to want to rely on my own understanding which is a mistake. But then again I'm only part of a much larger body.
Before working in the addictions house I worked in other group homes. I must admit I dont believe in hiding the mentally ill folks. But there have been times I've wondered if under doctors orders I've given a demon a seroquel.
Ido know this I've read thru the bible several times (In the flesh) I very often got confused, I would have to say that my spiritual progress has been slow but and I'd classify myself as a baby Christian. But the Bible changed me when nothing else could. I think that's 'cause Jesus is exactly who he said he is. The Son of God that died for our sins, and lives to this day. I think its time we fight this war like were the winners. |
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KitKat |
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September 01, 2007 at 7:55pm |
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Many sensible and senseless debates have arisen over simple semantics. I do believe this discussion is one that should be sensibly explored. Certainly I agree the use of psychology within the church has increasingly produced a liability for God's people. The abuse of this gift leads to manipulation which is witchcraft. However for those who may be under the care of a psychiatrist, I submit the following thoughts.
While it is true secular psychologists and psychiatrists have twisted and often perverted the parameters of Psychology - it still remains a gift from God. God has gifted to us a mind that reasons. Psychology looks for reason. It asks "For what reason am I experiencing these thoughts which translate into positive/negative actions or more simply put - why do I feel and act this way?"
Psychology apart from God is like reading a secret code without the key. You can read it - but it really doesn't make much sense. We have the key to unlock the code inside our minds. It was given to us by Jesus Christ. Within the Christian framework of faith coupled with the influence of the Holy Spirit, we are all to a degree psychologists. Before the PHD papers begin hiting the fan - consider - if we have the Holy Spirit living within us - Our Great Counselor - then we have access to the very wisdom and mind of God. So why do we still need psychologists? The answer is simple - the same reason we still need ministers of every kind. There are those who should and do specialize in various callings. I believe the Christian Psychologist is called by God to minister to those who struggle to find a clear connection in understanding the intricate ways and means of our minds. Of course God understands our minds and hearts more clearly than anyone (Jeremiah 17:9-10), but we are called to be the hands and feet of God or more loosely phrased 'Jesus with skin on."
It is true God could instantly unlock the mind and bring sobreity of thought and oftentimes he will, but he has given us the power to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). This transformation comes through reading the Word and hearing the Word. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17). I believe it is important to realize we have the solution living within us, but it also humility to confess we each struggle to live on the outside the life we understand on the inside the cerebral regions of our minds. Psychologists are gifted for this reason to help us learn to live from the inside out by unlocking life's obstacles which are all based within the mind.
This is my layman's take on the use of psychology within the church - for those who may be curious - yes I do ascribe to the use of a psychologist from time to time. My biggest strength is realizing my greatest weakness, Walking in darkness is quite possibly the greatest tragedy known to man, yet many minds have great spaces filled with darkness because we are ashamed to ask for help and understanding.
I Corinthians 12 will reinforce our need for each other including the much needed field of Psychology. |
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Grant |
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September 02, 2007 at 4:00am |
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One of the greatest emotionally healing blessings that our society has to offer is the koinonia or fellowship experience in a healthy church. However, many churches do not live up to that ideal because of failures in several areas:
1. Hasty decisions blamed on the Holy Spirit. A so-called "word" or a "God told me to..." is an over-used line in many churches and leads people to irresponsible manipulation of or interference in other people's lives. It is a blight on the church when carelessly abused.
2. Disrespect of the perspective or values of others. Christians are notorious for making those who don't "fit in" feel like they too need to be a clone or yellow pencil. Those who view a particular doctrine or practice differently, are often shabbily treated as on a "lower level" or even as lepers.
3. Bossy or manipulative practices treat people as objects to be dominated or controlled, instead of fellow brethren sharing the same load.
4. Impatience with the realities of life. For instance, some people's problems may never be solved in this life, ever. We may have to live with them until Christ returns. This is especially frustrating for the fix-it types.
5. Artificial relationships based upon pretence are often the result of Christian communities with unrealistic, legalistic expectations.
6. Overly defensive leaders, who don't want anyone telling them when they have made a mistake, can lead to a congregation of sychophants, who are afraid to say anything that might improve the health of a church. |
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MaKelly |
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September 02, 2007 at 1:15pm |
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SPIRITUAL REBIRTH (this Is what I belive Spiritual Freedom is) Who the Son sets Free is free indeed WHAT IS SPIRITUAL REBIRTH?
BIBLE READING: John 3:1-21
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus replied, “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH ALLOWS US TO ENTER GOD’S KINGDOM.
"Of water and the Spirit” in John 3:5 could refer to (1) the contrast between physical birth (water) and spiritual birth (Spirit), or (2) being regenerated by the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism. The water may also represent the cleansing action of God’s Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Nicodemus undoubtedly would have been familiar with God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:25-26. Jesus was explaining the importance of a spiritual rebirth, saying that people don’t enter the kingdom by living a better life, but by being spiritually reborn.
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK.
Jesus explained that we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works in ways we cannot predict or understand. Just as you did not control your physical birth, so you cannot control your spiritual birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH INVOLVES ACCEPTING A PRICELESS GIFT-ETERNAL LIFE.
John’s entire Gospel comes to a focus in 3:16. God’s love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships-when you love someone dearly, you are willing to pay dearly for that person’s responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life that he had bought for us. When we share the gospel with others, our love must be like Jesus’-we must be willing to give up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God’s love.
BIBLE READING: John 3:22-36
KEY BIBLE VERSE: All who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them. (John 3:36)
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH BEGINS A LIFE THAT WILL NEVER END; ITS ALTERNATIVE IS WORSE THAN DEATH.
Jesus says that those who believe in him have (not will have) eternal life. To receive eternal life is to join in God’s life, which by nature is eternal. Thus, eternal life begins at the moment of spiritual rebirth.
John, the author of this Gospel, has been demonstrating that Jesus is the true Son of God. Jesus sets before us the greatest choice in life. We are responsible to decide today whom we will obey (Joshua 24:15), and God wants us to choose him and life (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). The wrath of God is God’s final judgment and rejection of the sinner. To put off the choice is to choose not to follow Christ. Indecision is a fatal decision.
BIBLE READING: Romans 7:1-6
KEY BIBLE VERSE: This is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God. (Romans 7:4)
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH MEANS DYING TO THE OLD LIFE.
When a person dies to the old life and belongs to Christ, a new life begins. An unbeliever’s mind-set is centered on his or her own personal gratification. Those who don’t follow Christ have only their own self-determination as their source of power. By contrast, God is at the center of a Christian’s life. God supplies the power for the Christian’s daily living. Believers find that their whole way of looking at the world changes when they come to Christ.
BIBLE READING: 1 John 3:1-10
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Those who have been born into God’s family do not sin, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. (1 John 3:9)
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH GIVES A NEW SIGNIFICANCE TO SIN.
True believers do not make a practice of sinning, nor do they become indifferent to God’s moral law. All believers still sin, but they are working to gain victory over sin. True believers do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s new life has been born into them.
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH PRESENTS US WITH A BRAND-NEW LIFE.
We are “born into God’s family” when the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us Jesus’ new life. Being born again is more than a fresh start; it is a rebirth, receiving a new family name based on Christ’s death for us. When this happens, God forgives us and totally accepts us; the Holy Spirit gives us a new mind and heart, lives in us, and begins helping us to become like Christ. Our perspective changes too because we have a mind that is renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit (see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24). So we must begin to think and act differently.
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I agree that spiritual rebirth represents a whole new life, but we can still have struggles. If we are real about life we will realize there are still alot of hurting people wandering around beating themselves up because they did not become perfect when they gave their lives to Christ. I struggled with this for YEARS until someone who had overcome the spirit of religion and wanted to face reality with me helped me to heal.
Pschology is not the answer! My husband worked for 28 years to get his PhD so he could tell people the truth which is Jesus is the answer not psychology, but if we just ignore the problem and say it all goes away when you get saved, not only are we lieing to people, but we are creating unstable Christians who will always doubt their salvation and never really know a loving heavenly Father!
If you care to read my story you can find it at http://healingcommunities.org/?page_id=88 |
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Ben |
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September 02, 2007 at 8:24pm |
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I agree with Kathy Nichol's comments concerning psychology. I believe many in the church forget a very important fact; Jesus came to earth all God, all man, and full of the Spirit. This should always be a reminder to us that He didn't come just to minister to one part of man but to all. Many churches shy away from anything way of thinking that isn't saturated in scripture and because of ignorance neglect ministering to vital parts of the life of the believer. Humans are made up of flesh, spirit, and soul and for a person to be truly healthy none of these three can be ignored. The bible lets us know that God gives mankind gifts to help us on our journey (James 1:17). Psychology, science, knowledge, and medical advances are just some of the gifts that He's given the human race but just like anything that man touches it can be corrupted because of the fall. It's not that psychology by itself is evil but because of the influences of humanist thinking psychology has been warped into something that tells people they can overcome their problems with their own power and without the power of God.
Many believe that the human race has come to a place where we are smarter and no longer need the help of a God who they can't see. The sadder truth is that too many in the church secretly believe this way also. Spiritual warfare is not always evident in some giant public display of evil but it is more often the subtle attacks that go unnoticed that cause us to fall. There are to many scriptures in the bible that deal with the mind and the way a person should think (Philippians 4:8) for us to discredit psychology. God never intended for the church to focus just on one part of human life. He has empowered us to minsiter to the whole of man. Great blog! |
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Great blog and some excellent comments; particularly those made by Kathy Nichols and Grant. The great deceiver is still at it and I am definitely all for making people aware of the fact that they allow Satan rights in their lives and that the elimination or at the very least, reduction of such rights will lead to solving and preventing great number of psychological problems. In particular, I encourage people to clean their lives of bitterness, hate, envy and unforgiveness and definitely discourage visits to spiritist healers and the like.
I work in the field of advertising where income is mainly derived by presenting something the eye sees as a must have, so I understand the concept “the eye sees, the heart desires”;
Extract from ‘Growing Each Day – Rabbi Abraham J. Tweski While some impulses are completely spontaneous, others arise out of stimulation. If a person reads, hears, or sees things which can provoke improper thoughts and feelings, he or she is then responsible for the impulses that are the consequences of that reading, listening, or observing. This concept is especially important in our era, when not even a semblance of a code of decency exists as to what may or may not be publicly displayed. All varieties of media exploit our basest biological drives. Given the interpretation of the right of free speech under which such provocative displays occur, the government has no way to restrain them. However, each person has not only a right, but also an obligation to be his or her own censor. No one has to look at everything that is displayed nor hear everything that is broadcast. Those who fail to exert their own personal censorship are tacitly stimulating immoral impulses, and for that alone they are liable.
Yes, yes, yes! God and the Bible have to be the final authority else people are still just being exposed to the world and it’s teachings. |
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Pastor Tim,
There are some very detailed answers here, so I will try and keep mine simple. What many people forget is that we are physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiuritual beings all ath the same time. The most effective healing from issues of sin comes when we acknowledge allaspects of ourselves. Simply confessing a sin is often not enough. We have to submit to the process of staying free. All of us can pray a prsayer of salvation. We have been spiritually made free right in that instant. But many of us are still plagued by the destructive thinking, feeling and doing. Psychology, in my experience, assists in spiritual warfare. Once we understand why we do what we do, often discovering the times and moments when we made ourselves vulnerable to demonic influence, then we can more effectively attack it from a spiritual warfare stance.
Does that make sense. You may not agree, but I use this method all the time with men who struggle with addiction. It works.
Brad Peglow |
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The Definition of Truth, is the highest form of reality that exists. The strong hold is in the mind because of wrong thinking. 2 Cor 10 3,4 and 5. We overcome by getting our minds renewed by the Word of God Romans 12:2. The Bible says, You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. If we know the truth, and we walk in the truth, we will walk in freedom. But if I step out of the truth, what's left is a lie, and I will walk in deception. If I walk in the light, and I step out of the light, I will walk in darkness, and I will not see where I am going, and stumble, and not know what I stumble over.
The answer to our problems in this life, is not psychology, but the Truth of God's Word. And when we walk in the truth of God's Word, we walk in freedom. If people who work in the field of Psychology would use the truth of God's Word to help people, they would see amazing results. |
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KitKat |
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September 03, 2007 at 2:12pm |
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Beverly, Ben, and Brad have added some great additional points. If we just throw Psychology out the window - We're throwing the baby out with the bath water. Sure some psychiatrists have muddied the water - but that doesn't make the science useless. I studied psychology, counseling and various other secular subjects in a Christian College (Toccoa Falls College) and it gave me a great understanding of how the Word of God can be incorporated and effectively accomplish it's purpose within most any secular field. A medical doctor treats the body which certainly affects our mind, but who would refuse medical help when they are sick? Then why not accept the skills of a physicianl treating our minds which in turns affects our bodies? |
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This has been an outstanding discussion thus far. Kathy, Spirited, Brad, Beverely, Ben, God's Girl, MaKeely, Grant, Mortify Sin, and Dave I have enjoyed your comments. You all have really added to the discussion. |
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| I hope I'm not too late to ask about how we view the sufficiency of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? I don't think psychology without the lens of Scripture even has a baby in the bathwater (so to speak); so I'm not sure how we would be neglecting the advantages of psychology if Scripture is our ultimate authority. Any other thoughts? |
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| Mortifysin, I think you touched on a very important point, which is the suffiency of Scripture. While the inerrancy of Scripture is not up for debate in Evangelical circles, the suffiency of Scripture has all the more come into question. I become increasingly concerned that the more we try to intergrate psychology with Scripture, we undermine Scripture's authority. |
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Gene |
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September 03, 2007 at 9:02pm |
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I think Brad nailed it. We've all done things we know we shouldn't. That's just part of our fallen nature. And that's why we continue to need a saviour after the day we give our lives to the Lord. And while the the Lord does forgive us and saves us, we must do all that we can to avoid the conditions that lead us back into sin. In too many cases, we unknowingly set our ownselves up for failure because of thought patterns that we don't even know we have that are rooted in presuppositions that we don't even know exist.
A person who truly does love the Lord our God with all their heart, with all their mind, and with their soul and asks the Lord for help but continues to have recurring problems is merely doing their part to understand the specific causes. Once they understand the thought patterns and conditions that cause the recurring problems, then in their prayers they can give those thought patterns to God and ask God for help in avoiding those conditions.
Psychology in and of itself is not bad. When people place all their hopes on the psychologist, then they are in all likelihood doomed to continue the patterns of destructive behavior. But when the person places all their hopes on God, then the pscyhologist is really best viewed as someone who's supporting the person in their walk with Christ. THAT's why we need to pick Christian pschologists.
Gene |
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Amen, amen and amen Pastor Tim on your comment yesterday.
The Word is always the final authority, absolutely never to be undermined. |
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KitKat |
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September 04, 2007 at 6:54am |
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| I believe I understand what Mortify is suggesting - to use modern day psychology within scriptures is to lend an additional cultural interpretaton into what was originally written. If I am understanding Pastor TIm and Mortify right - this could be a risk to the inerrrancy of the scriptures. I would point out we can not overlook man has always employed psychological analysis in life. Psychology did not start in the modern age. The title was created in contemporary times, but you can clearly see the use of psychology present throughout history, and in the Bible as well. How can you read Ecclesiastes and Psalms without seeing the writer examining the workings of the mind and to note yes, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. The ability to reason is innate. However to levy today's cultural psychological understandings to interpret the Bible, would be a mistake. Yet even still in the final analysis we must recognize that the Bible was so inspired and written that it would be applicable to all dispensations. It is not so fragile that we must have a complete cultural understanding to apply it. Where we are weak - God is strong. As we study the scriptures and here's the key - submit our lives to God, our lens will come into proper focus. THe Word of God will not return void because He is alive. We can analyze the historical aspects, apply the cultural as well, but the Word is alive and interacts well in today's culture and I know God anticipated on our modern day psychological understandings seeing he is omniscient.This is not to be used as a crutch for ignorance but as an insurance to each generation of believers. Other takes? |
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MaKelly |
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September 04, 2007 at 11:45am |
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You are right Godsgirl we all go through things and that just the point we are to go through it and not dwell in it. yes and we be sending the wrong message if we tell people that their lives will be a bed of rose after they become saved. I want to recommend a book to you called STORMS ARE GOOD FOR YOU, maybe you read it already. This book truly blessed me, you can get it from this site www.wolm.net we all will have mountian days and valley days. we must fight the good fight of faith.
PAIN IS OFTEN NECESSARY FOR GROWTH.
When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But we’re not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 8:14-17
KEY BIBLE VERSE: That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. All the spirits fled when he commanded them to leave; and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
THROUGH PAIN WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S POWER AND GRACE.
Matthew repeatedly shows Jesus’ kingly nature. Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3, 15); when he spoke a single word, evil spirits fled his presence (8:16). Jesus has authority over all evil powers and all earthly disease. He also has power and authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when God removes all sin, there will be no more sickness, pain, or death. Jesus’ healing miracles were a taste of what the whole world will one day experience in God’s kingdom.
JESUS NEVER PROMISED THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WOULD NOT SUFFER
Jesus was not saying that believers would be exempt from physical harm or death during the persecutions. Remember that most of the disciples were martyred. Rather he was saying that none of his followers would suffer spiritual or eternal loss. On earth, everyone will die, but believers in Jesus will be saved for eternal life.
THROUGH HIS SUFFERING, JESUS FULLY IDENTIFIED WITH US
How was Jesus made perfect through suffering? Jesus’ suffering made him a perfect leader, or pioneer, of our salvation. Jesus did not need to suffer for his own salvation, because he was God in human form. His perfect obedience (which led him down the road of suffering) demonstrates that he was the complete sacrifice for us. Through suffering, Jesus completed the work necessary for our own salvation. Our suffering can make us more sensitive servants of God. People who have known pain are able to reach out with compassion to others who hurt. If you have suffered, ask God how your experience can be used to help others. |
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Gene |
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September 04, 2007 at 7:14pm |
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| I'm lost here. Who would want to use psychology to interpret scripture? |
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| Gene, I am not sure what you mean. Could you clarify? |
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Gene |
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September 05, 2007 at 1:41am |
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Pastor Tim,
Mortify said, "…I'm not sure how we would be neglecting the advantages of psychology if Scripture is our ultimate authority."
Then you brought up the sufficiency of scripture and that "…I become increasingly concerned that the more we try to intergrate psychology with Scripture, we undermine Scripture's authority."
Then Kathy said, "…to levy today's cultural psychological understandings to interpret the Bible, would be a mistake."
All of that is what drove my question.
I guess one of the threads being explored here is, "If we have scripture, why would we need psychology?" I think that position presupposes that each person is able to fully identify their own weaknesses, their own thought patterns that lead to destructive behaviors, and the conditions that lead to those patterns and behaviors. I don’t believe that’s true.
I believe that the Holy Spirit reveals these things to people. Sometimes He uses scripture, sometimes He uses other means, and sometimes he uses psychologists in tune with His direction – Christian psychologists.
I think everyone who's responded so far is in very strong agreement...psychology in and of itself is not the answer to spiritual freedom. Christ Himself is the answer. I'm not sure how a Christian could answer otherwise. But to me it begs a subsequent question - what are the appropriate roles of psychology in the life of the Christian? Others have posed a similar question This is what I was addressing in my previous posts.
Gene
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