Counseling

What is counseling? Does it have a place to be in the life of a child of God? Is this practice supported by the Word of God? The first passage of Scripture that could be cited as an example is written in the Epistle to the Hebrews about ministers, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Heb. 13:17). This is what God’s ministers or leaders should look like, first of all. Paul writes, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers” (1 Cor. 4:15). And who is the father? This is the one who does care what happens in your life. He will take an interest in your spiritual state in order to encourage, support and give wise advice. As in the days of the Apostle Paul, so today, unfortunately, there are not enough ministers called by God, and who, like the Good Samaritan, care about the wounded and tormented soul lying by the road. It is not in vain that the Lord gives examples of a priest and a Levite who pass by such a soul. Alas, it so often happens that those from whom we most expect such help, they just pass by. And if they stop, they might say, “Everything is fine! Don’t worry! The main thing is just believe!” How similar it is to those prophets about whom Jeremiah spoke, “They have … healed the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:14; 8:11). Caring for a soul is not easy work; it is a ministry in which one must be caring and constantly watchful.

Not only the ministers of a church can be called to such a responsible ministry (we are all servants of God, having stepped on the path of following Christ), but also any brother or sister, since the Scripture commands all of us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2). This precious ministry is used by God not to trample a person deeper into the mud and condemn him, but to help him get out of the swamp and quagmire of sin. Having gained freedom and having won a victory, the human heart finally finds that long-awaited peace it has been looking for so long. It is essentially important to bring a soul to the Person of Jesus Christ to help establish a personal relationship with Him. Our goal and central figure is the Lord Jesus.

Of course, there are opponents of this practice. In this case, I would like to give one example. Imagine a young man who has been struggling with pornography addiction for years. Many ministers have already prayed for him, he attended numerous courses, they talked to him a lot about faith, but he never received an answer HOW to combat and what he has to do. And so, having wasted a lot of time and energy, this soul remains in the bondage of sin and under the yoke of the evil forces. God saw how these sins were committed by him. The young man lost the fear of the Lord long ago; therefore this sin is committed easily over and over again. His conscience along with the heart, are hardened like a stone and they are no longer so sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When you receive help from a counselor called by God (and this requires primarily God’s guidance, not the completion of certain courses or seminars), then this person takes care of your soul and a few times a week will ask you about your spiritual state, whether you walk in the light … Along with this, comes hope, strength is given to overcome sin “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Heb. 12:4), and the counselor will be able to give not only practical advice, but also support a brother or sister in intercessory prayer, as it says, “Confess your trespasses (sins) to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” or as ESV puts it, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16). Above all, the soul needs spiritual healing.

It’s important to note that a counselor does not become a mediator between you and God, as some would say, but a brother or sister who directs you to Christ, Who in turn says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

Grace and peace be with you,

Max Volkov in Christ