A Definition of Biblical Counseling

Biblical Counseling is Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-empowered, loving and practical application of Biblical truths with the goal of spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.

This counseling is based on the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of the Word of God. To safeguard against misguided and unbalanced practices of counseling which may mistakenly be labeled "biblical," some standards of practice are necessary to encourage excellence and to provide some measure of trustworthiness for general referral.

1. A belief that the Scripture is sufficient, through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, to address all of man's needs. (2Peter 1:3-4, 2Timothy 3:16) Therefore, all counseling methods, practices, and techniques will be based upon clear Biblical principles. (1Corinthians 3:19)

2. A belief that all mankind is in need of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. If those that are counseled do not possess this salvation, a primary objective of counseling must be the clear, Spirit-led communication of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Matthew 28:19-20)

3. An agreement to counsel and teach the Lordship of Jesus Christ in order to lead counselees away from a humanistic focus on self and to a proper focus on Him. (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2)

4. An agreement to honor the Scriptural sanctity of life, marriage, and family and to do the utmost in counseling to reinforce these beliefs. (Psalm 139:13-14, Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Proverbs 23:25; Colossians 3:20)

5. An agreement that, as God empowers, to live a life and conduct all relationships in godliness and holiness before Him, with the goal of living out the truths that are being taught. (Philippians 2:12-13)

6. An agreement with the Spiritual authority of the local church as evidenced by an involvement in a local church and by instructing those who are counseled to involve themselves in a church also, thus working in concert with it, rather than in competition against it. (Hebrews 10:25)