Within the church today there seems to be more and more complicated problems involving spiritual issues. The church today has been attacked with every type of temptation and sin from divorce to pornography. At the same time, the people of God are searching for answers to the problems that are inflicted upon them. Without a proper perspective of scripture, and without being properly discipled and trained in the word of God, many are turning to modern psychology to answer the difficult questions and to bring relief. As the prophet Jeremiah predicted, My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13).

This teaching addresses the problems of relying upon psychology for the answers, and presents the truth that can be found in true and pure biblical counseling. The intent is to present the case to believers that psychology cannot heal and cannot bring relief from the stresses and pains of everyday life. Only the Word of God has the answers for the ills of mankind. If it is truly God’s power alone that transforms the human heart, then the believer must rely totally upon scripture to provide the answers to the hurts that are found within.

Let us therefore look at four main points:

1. A Look at the Issues
2. The Myths of Psychology
3. Are Psychology and Christianity Compatible?
4. A Biblical Alternative to Psychology.

This teaching will examine each of these areas, focusing on the major points, and give conclusive evidence that the scriptures hold the only truths that can bring healing and wholeness to each individual person.

A Look at the Issues
Christian counseling must be examined in the light of the growth of psychology during the past hundred years. To add to the confusion of which practice is best, Christian psychologists, known as integrationalists, believe that psychology must be incorporated alongside Christianity in order to be effective. The question then arises as to the efficacy of psychology since the practice is barely one hundred years old. A better question would be, “Are the scriptures adequate in bringing about effectual change in human behavior.” In Colossians 1:28, the apostle Paul answered that question by saying, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” He further states that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Integrationalists would argue that we have conditions today that were not relevant in the days of the apostles. However, the Bible clearly provides the principles necessary to deal with every disorder, every hurt, and certainly the sin that leads believers to these conditions.

It is obvious that the Bible does not give specific guidance such as which car to buy or which person to marry. However, there are biblical applications and principles, truths to be followed, that give guidance and assistance in every area of human existence. Contrary to what psychologists believe, the scriptures provide answers for every human need.

The basic criticisms of psychology may be narrowed down to two basic statements of truth: 1) psychology is not an exact science that can be proven, and 2) psychology has been proven time and time again to be ineffective to help those who are in need. In other words, psychology cannot be trusted. The practice of attempting to mix psychology with Christian doctrine and belief is like mixing oil and water; they are diametrically opposed to one another.

The Myths of Psychology
The myths of psychology include the belief that psychology is scientific, effective, motivated by compassion, is trustworthy and can heal the past. Psychological labels also must be understood and examined.

Science is defined as “the systematically arranged knowledge of the material world which has been gathered in a four-step process.” The four-step process is delineated as 1) observation of phenomena; 2) collection of data; 3) creation of a hypothesis or theory by inductive reasoning; and 4) testing of the hypothesis by repeated observation and controlled experiments. The vast array of psychological practices has never been tested nor can the theories be proved within a scientific setting. In other words, there is no empirical evidence that the methods of psychology or that the diagnoses are even valid.

Secondly, the methods of cure are ineffective to say the least. Even secular psychologists admit that there are inconsistencies and that the patient is rarely cured. Mostly, the patient is only taught to cope with a lifelong pattern of behavior.

Additionally, there are enormous costs that accompany the continual use of psychological care. The fees certainly do not guarantee a competent prognosis, and the psychologist is rarely motivated by compassion.

Fourthly, the psychological vocation continues to add new labels which help them to define the specific neurosis found within an individual. Labels tend to be self-defeating in that produce more confusion than help. The patient continues to believe that he is this sick person who cannot change because the label has been assigned him. These then are used as an excuse to continue the behavior. In contrast, the Bible commands us “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). We are directed to be “transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The power of the cross begins a process of work within our lives where we are changed and made into a new creation. Labels are no longer applicable. The choices that believers make to sin are mental and spiritual matters. Being driven by unconscious and addictive drives over which we have no control is simple unbiblical and, in reality, become excuses for immature and irresponsible behavior and thinking.

The last two myths complete the cycle in revealing that not only is psychology not trustworthy, but the whole belief that psychology can heal the past is an illusion. This section also deals with the dispensing of medication in order to bring a cure to the ills of mankind. This might be justifiable in a biological or physical case, but certainly not if the problems are caused by wrong thinking or actions. The Bible states that we are to renew our minds rather than numbing them. The writers tell us that we are to forget “what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” and that we are to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Looking backwards to the mistakes of the past has never and will never be an effective tool of healing. Obedience to the word is what brings wholeness and healing. The Bible is God’s revelation to sinful man about our condition and how only He can transform our hearts. We must hear the truth and follow it as well (James 1:22-25).

Are Psychology and Christianity Compatible?
This section investigates psychology and Christianity in comparing and contrasting the church, the Christian counselor and the Bible itself. If the church is to be displaced by a different type of counseling, then that counseling must be able to meet the needs and change the behavior of its constituents. If psychology is to be mixed with Christianity, then the basic Christian doctrines must be redefined. Unfortunately, this is a very dangerous situation that confuses believers and weakens the message of the gospel. Sin cannot be reduced to medical dysfunctions, as psychologists would have us believe. If man is “basically good” and can no longer be held responsible for his behavior, his moral conduct, or his thought life, then he no longer needs salvation.

As believers, we must understand that psychology does not provide any essential techniques that are not already revealed in the scriptures. Accordingly, the scriptures reveal three specified sources of personal problems in living: demonic activity, personal sin, and biological illness. We must teach and be taught the simple truths of God’s cleansing forgiveness (1 John 1:9), the believer’s power to resist sin and to humbly submit to God and resist the devil (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:5-9), and the way to fill our hearts with the Word of God in order to keep our ways pure (Psalm 119:9, 11). It is important to know that psychology advocates self-gratification, while the Bible teaches self-denial. Suffering from behavioral disorders is not an addiction or an illness, but a result of the sinful choices that have been allowed to dominate our thinking and actions.

A Biblical Alternative to Psychology
This final section provides a foundation for biblical counseling along with specific methods of lasting change. A confidence in the inerrant and inspired Word of God presupposes specific beliefs, including the existence of God, God’s character, and the role of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in counseling. It is accompanied by a firm conviction that every essential truth, every essential principle, every essential technique for solving human problems has been delivered in God’s word. There is no biblical evidence that God provides through any other means for the healing of the soul.

The biblical counselor must fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He develops the method and plan of counseling. Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” The passage further states “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (verses, 24, 25). It is God’s power and His power alone that transforms the human heart.

The principal goal, then, in biblical counseling is sharing the “blessed hope” of Jesus Christ. The central theme, the major focus, and the reality of that hope in the power of change is all found in Jesus Christ through the applied truths of the Word of God. The counselor must assist the client in the process of sanctification – a setting apart for the holy purposes of a Holy God. This only occurs when our hearts and minds are inundated with the truths of His word, and those truths are adequately activated in our lives by the Holy Spirit when we consciously seek to obey Him.

In conclusion, it has been found that psychological thinking and methods are inadequate to heal the human soul that was created by God. Seeking processes outside the realm of scripture goes beyond the scope of truth, and therefore renders any help ineffective and meaningless. Permanent and lasting change comes through “doctrinal teaching, acceptance of rebuke, correction of wrong patterns of thinking and acting by putting off the old nature, and building up the new nature through instruction in righteousness.” Man can be forgiven, changed and heal, but only through the power of the truths found in the Bible.