Paul Tripp, author of War of Words and Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, has some interesting comments on language. Warning: some words in this may be offensive.

Since I am pursuing a Master of Divinity with Biblical Counseling, I figured I should write on counseling a little. Almost everyone goes to counselors / psychologists / psychiatrists now days. Why is this? Why do people go to these particular people with their problems? Because they tell us that they can fix us. Why don’t people take their problems to churches? Because when they do, many times the pastors themselves send them to these self-proclaimed specialists. Shouldn’t the pastors provide counsel from the Bible, instead of trusting in man-made advice that doesn’t even take into account the dichotomy (inner man and outer man) or trichotomy (body, soul, and spirit) of man and is instead anthropologically monistic. If all there is to man is man, and no spiritual side, then psychotherapy is fine. But, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (II Corinthians 5:17) Just remember, all Scripture is God-breathed. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

You may think I’m crazy writing about how pastors should be counseling their people, since I’m majoring in counseling. Actually, I write this precisely for this reason. Counseling, when done in a biblical context, takes place in the local church and in a body of believers – it is not a separate entity. It employs accountability in the body and will utilize church discipline in the case of unrepentance.

Let me flesh this out a bit. Here’s how I see counseling operating within the context of the local body: 90% of the counseling is done as one-another ministry. If you have something with which you need help, you first go to your brother or sister (same sex) in Christ, and they will help you from the God’s Word. 90% of counseling would end there, as we have the Bible from which to counsel.

If there is a problem that seems too large for one-another ministry, the “another” should bring in an elder in the church. If the elder feels unqualified for a certain problem, they should bring in a counselor trained in that specific problem – from a biblical perspective. This progression is similar to church discipline. We are called to help one another and that is the method I proclaim. As 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says: “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle (or disorderly, or undisciplined), encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

Life is not about us. Its not about you, me, or anyone else. Its about God’s glory. This is a hard lesson to learn in our humanistic western society. This world does not revolve around you or me and especially not because you or me. It does, no the other hand, revolve because of God. The world was created by Him, for Him, and for His glory. This works contradictory to our “12 Step” society. “7 Steps to a Better Life”, “3 Points for the Best Marriage”, and all these other programs we’ve created and slapped a few out of context Bible verses on them will not lead you to the purpose of life. The purpose of life is none other than the glory of God, and we don’t do that in and of ourselves. The Holy Spirit living inside of us provides the ability for us dead men to walk to God’s glory. “If then you have been raised up with Christ, set your mind on the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not the things on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

Why should we have self-esteem? There is no Biblical foundation for this. One could argue that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, (Psalm 139:14) but, in context (Psalm 139), is that really talking about self-esteem? Or is it focused more on God’s transcendent power as Creator and Sustainer? I think more fitting would be the verse that states our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). There is nothing in and of ourselves that is worthy of true esteem unless Christ is in us. And even if He is, why would we esteem ourselves? We can instead esteem Him and recognize His value. This could be referred to as “God-esteem.” This seems to be a Biblical response to “man/self-esteem” which is so prevalent in our western culture today.