Biblical Counseling

Tim Chang • August 23, 2020

 

Biblical Counseling is a different approach than traditional Christian Counseling to solving a counselee's issues. It does not focus on individual counselee's problems or wounds. Rather, the approach to resolving the problem comes from the shifting of the counselee's perspective.

 


 

Secular psychologists and counselors focus on identifying the problem and how to deal with it while interacting with others. It helps a counselee manage the symptoms of a particular problem from a behavioral science perspective. It helps the counselee function as a member of society using various methods, including drugs, in its therapy sessions.

 


 

Biblical Counseling views the past emotional pains and scars under God's sovereignty. Biblical Counseling views the counselee's past emotional pains and scars in conjunction with the Kingdom of God and how it affects God's glory.

 


 

Through the past emotional pains and scars, the counselee has the opportunity to restore a relationship with God through God-centered and Scripture-centered approach. It deals with the internal change of the counselee, not external changes.

 


 

The goal of Biblical Counseling is defined in Colossians1:28 that the counselee to become perfect in Christ through restoring and rebuilding the image of Christ in the counselee's life.

 


 

The job of a Biblical Counselor is to facilitate Christ'smeeting through the manifestation of Scripture in the counselee current situation. The Counselor's job is to allow the counselee to discover the roots of sins in the counselee's life and allow Holy Spirit to convince the counselee to repent from the counselee's sins and return to God.

 


 

There are seven principles in Biblical Counseling that we must explore before going deeper into the methods and operations of BiblicalCounseling.

 


 

I. Human beings are created in the image of God

 


 

The foundation of Biblical Counseling begins with the creation account of Adam and Eve. Instead of focusing on the counselee's problems, the counselee can view the counselee's problems from the creation perspective. The first man, Adam, was created in the image of God. The image of God is full of God's glory, and Adam was like God in many of his attributes but was not God. Adam had nothing lacking and was full as long as he was in communion with God.

 


 

God made Eve out of Adam's rib, and God sent Eve as the helper to Adam. Although Adam was created in God's image, Adam was not God; he needed a helper to do his work. Adam was perfect, but God saw that it was not good that Adam was alone, so God gave Eve to Adam.

 


 

God wanted to reign over all the creation through Adam. God made Adam ruler over all creation, and Eve was there to help Adam. Adam was truly the glorified image of God on earth. However, when Adam fell, the human deficit came as its result.

 


 

II. Human beings fell because of sin

 

Biblical Counseling basis all problems that all human faces rooted from the fall of Adam. In the garden of Eden, Satan, the crafty counselor, came and counseled Eve. Satan convinced Eve that disobeying God by eating the fruit of knowledge will make Eve and Adam like God.

 


 

The Bible does not explain what happened when Eve ate the fruit of knowledge. However, when Adam ate the fruit of knowledge, both of their eyes opened up and saw that they were naked, and they hid their bodies with fig leaves.

 

Biblical Counseling directly charges the counselee that the issue is not the past emotional pains and scars, but the problem's root is from sin. Until the sin problem is resolved, the counselee will continue to suffer from sin's effects in the counselee's life.

 


 

As previously discussed, Inner Healing does not address the issue of sin in the counselee's life as the counselee's main problem. Instead, inner healing makes the counselee think that it is not the counselee's fault, but others were the cause of the counselee's problem. Thus, removing the responsibilities of the counselee in resolving the counselee's sin problem.

 


 

III. The human problem is a heart problem

 


 

The secular psychology or Christian counseling sessions that base their foundation on secular psychology focus on changing behavior or emotional fluctuations or making sense of the past wounds to resolve the counselee's issues. Sometimes, Christian counselors do not know how to resolve the issue at hand because they do not believe that the fallen human heart is the root of the problem. Instead, these secular psychologists and Christian counselors believe that the human heart is good and passive; it was the external factors and influences that caused the evils in the world.

 


 

However, the Bible states that the human heart is evil and is not passive.

 


 

Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."

 


 

The Biblical Counseling perspective on the human heart is fundamentally different from all other counseling perspectives. Since the fall, all of the human heart actively defies against God and actively seeks after sin. No one teaches their young children to lie, but all children know how to lie. It is a common phenomenon that everyone experiences, and no matter how much we try to solve it, it is impossible with human will.

 


 

All secular psychology-based counseling goals, even Christian Counseling, change the counselee's behaviors or environment to make sense of it so the counselee can manage the environment and themselves. However, Biblical Counseling's goal is not to change the counselee's behaviors or environment. Instead, biblical Counseling aims to change the person's heart, as it believes the heart's transformation is the root solution to the problems.

 


 

Biblical Counseling asks this fundamental question, "what controls this person's heart?" When that is identified, the biblical Counselor can assist the counselee in digging into their own heart with Scripture and finding their true intentions that may be hiding underneath.

 


 

Thus, even the perspective of identifying the problem differs from all secular psychology-based counseling models.

 


 

IV. The major counseling tool is Scripture

 


 

Biblical Counseling's goal is to equip the counselee as a person of God. Thus, the main tool it uses is found within Scripture. All other tools and methods that other secular psychologists use are ancillary. The Biblical Counselor can assist the counselee in opening up and allow Scripture to become the mirror to the counselee's heart condition.

 


 

Inner healing and other secular psychological counselors sometimes use hypnosis to identify and treat the counselees. However, biblical counselors do not use hypnosis at all, as it is prohibited in Scripture, and all the tools and methodologies are found within Scripture.

 


 

We will discuss further in the application part of Biblical Counseling chapters ahead.

 


 

V. The best example of Biblical Counseling is JesusChrist

 


 

Jesus Christ was the best Biblical Counselor. He was able to communicate with everyone and counseled them with Scripture. Jesus was an attentive listener who observed what others were telling him but read all non-linguistic expressions that others were showing.

 


 

Every word out of Jesus' mouth was valuable and useful for Counseling and guiding the listeners. Jesus listened to the cries of following him. There are numerous examples of this in the Bible.

 


 

The Lazarus' death account showed one of the main examples of Jesus' attentive listening. When Jesus arrived at Bethany, it has been four days since Lazarus died. Yet, when Jesus saw the wailings of Jews and the two sisters, Jesus was compassionate about their sorrows, and he cried.

 


 

Not only was Jesus the best Counselor, but he also sympathized with all the souls of the earth, for he lived on the earth under the sorrows of mankind.

 


 

Jesus not only preached the gospel, but he preached repentance and forgave sins. When the paralyzed man descended to Jesus from the rooftop, Jesus forgave their sins for the faith they had. Jesus knew that the solution to the paralyzed man's problem was physical healing and spiritual healing of the heart through the forgiveness of sins.

 


 

Jesus preached forgiveness of sins through repentance, as he knew the root of the problem in everyone's heart was the sin. Ultimately, Jesus was died on the cross to resolve the problem of the sin of humanity. He was the ultimate Counselor and propitiator between God and man.

 


 

VI. The human being is tormented in the world

 


 

Whether the counselee's problem originated from self, others, or environment, Biblical Counseling observation is done under one viewpoint; all are under God's sovereignty.

 


 

When the counselee comes to belief and acceptance ofGod's sovereignty, then the counselee's heart begins to heal. Unfortunately, secular psychologists will not acknowledge God's sovereignty because its foundation is that mankind has a good passive heart, and God does not exist. Unfortunately, some Christian counselors blindly accept some of the methods and beliefs that the secular psychologists incorporate into their counseling session, unintentionally leading the counselee astray from the truth.

 


 

VII. True change comes from the work of the Holy Spirit

 


 

Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Counselor that all mankind needs. The Counselor is a facilitator for the counselee to meet the Holy Spirit and encourages the counselee to live in the Holy Spirit.

 


 

The change of the heart occurs when the counselee lives not according to the gratification of sinful nature but under the Holy Spirit'sinfluence. The Biblical Counselor helps the counselee put off the old self and put on a new self; the new image of Christ is imprinted on the counselee.

 


 

The counselee's daily submission onto the Holy Spirit'scounsel must be effectuated in the counselee's life. Therefore, the Biblical counselor facilitates Scripture into the counseling session. Most Christian counselors think this means telling the counselee to live by Scripture. It is partly true but partly false. The Biblical Counselor approaches this matter in perspective of not condemning for not living by Scripture. Rather, a delicate balance between allowing the counselee to open their heart and allowing Scripture to administer its principles onto the heart of the counselee. Because BiblicalCounseling depends upon the Holy Spirit's work, the Biblical counselors must incorporate prayers and Scripture in the counseling session. We will discuss this further in the application section.

 


 

5/5 Enforcement of Remedies

By Eunjin Chang • November 9, 2026
Remedies

4/5 Remedy

By Eunjin Chang • November 9, 2026
What Remedies are Available

3/5 In the Courtroom of God

By Eunjin Chang • November 9, 2026
How to Manual

2/5 Jesus as Our Chief Defense Attorney

By Eunjin Chang • November 9, 2026
Who Defends Us Against the Accuser

1/5 Spiritual Warfare Ground: The Courtroom of God

By Eunjin Chang • November 9, 2026
The Throne Room of God: The Courtroom of God

Identity Problem of Transgressions and Iniquities

By Eunjin Chang • September 25, 2026
Our Identity in our Spiritual Life

Identity and Spiritual Warfare

By Eunjin Chang • September 25, 2026
Looking at Matt 4 for answers...

Optional Command of Jesus?

By Eunjin Chang • September 17, 2026
Commandments of Jesus -part 1

Why was Jesus scourged twice?

By Eunjin Chang • September 11, 2026
Reflecting on the Gospels...

Resting in Jesus

By Eunjin Chang • August 3, 2025
For a Christian to be healthy, we must sleep or rest in Jesus. Just like sleep is essential to the health of our physical body, sleep or rest in Jesus is essential to our spiritual walk with Jesus. When Jesus came to the world, he came to do the works of the Father, and he completed them on the cross, when he said, It is finished. The very reliance of the blood of Jesus that he shed for us on the cross gives us the rest that our spirit needs. To sleep or rest in Jesus means to cease all our agendas. Many Christians fall into a trap that once you become a Christian, you must do so many things and not do so many things. Being a disciple becomes a matter of checking off a list of dos and don’ts. However, this is far from rest that Jesus gave us when he said, It is finished, on the cross. The rest comes to us when we die in Jesus. When we follow Jesus as a disciple, Jesus is inviting us to pick up our own cross, deny ourselves, and follow him. Where did Jesus end up? On the cross, and he died for the sins of the world. When apostle Paul stated that he had been crucified with Christ and he no longer lives, he was stating the mere nature of a disciple of Jesus. When Jesus invites us to die with him on the cross, it is not to destroy us or end us. Human nature is to struggle to survive and to have another breath. But to follow Jesus is to deny that very nature. How can it be done? It is impossible with human effort or will, as it is contrary to the very nature of humanity. When one becomes a disciple of Jesus, everyone has one or a few things that they cannot surrender to God. It may be finances, children, or even their own life. However, Jesus invites all of his disciples to give up that one thing that everyone has. Every Christian faces this question at some point in their walk with Jesus. They have eaten and drunk the flesh and blood of Jesus. They have tasted the goodness of the Lord and His mercies. They delight in worship and even give up many things for the Lord and His body. But that one thing, no matter how minor it seems, Jesus asks the question, “Can you give up that one thing for me?” Which is the question of death. The death of our old self. To Abraham, it was to offer Isaac on an altar. To Jacob, it was to deny his ability to cheat, steal, and lie. To the Apostles, it was to give up their life for the sake of the gospel. So many of our ancestors of faith have demonstrated giving up that one thing that matters the most to them for the sake of Jesus. Why would they do that? The most important question of all is, how were they able to do that for Jesus? The answer is simple: daily eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood; daily excrete out what the Holy Spirit is telling us; daily rest in Jesus. This daily trust and obedience provides us with a sense of security and guidance in our walk with Jesus. The death of oneself does not come from human effort nor willpower. It comes from trusting in Jesus even till death. It can only be done when one is deeply involved with Jesus and Jesus’ DNA becomes their DNA. Without questioning, they hear the voice of Jesus, respond, and lay down their lives and their most essential things for Jesus. It is a daily walk with Jesus and having a moment-by-moment relationship with Jesus. Jesus said My sheep hear my voice and follow me. It is interesting to note that when Jesus calls his sheep, it is among other sheep that are not of Jesus’. Jesus calls his sheep to take them through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and follow initially. Then, when the sheep sees Jesus walking away from the green pasture and onto the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep begins to wonder if the voice it hears is Jesus’ or not. But as Jesus continues to call the sheep, the sheep respond by trusting in Jesus’ voice, recognizing it as their own. But as the sheep nears the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep gets close to Jesus, embracing his breath, scent, and sweat. Following him closely, as he fears he might be lost if he does not hear the voice of his true shepherd. Ultimately, the valley of the shadow of death separates the true sheep of Jesus from other sheep. Jesus calls all of his disciples to carry the cross, deny oneself, and follow Jesus daily. Which ultimately leads to death. Death is not to end our essence but to deliver us from ourselves, our old ways of living, and to redefine our DNA to become like Jesus; ultimately leading us to the resurrection of Jesus, as he has said, I am the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is not something that we find when the last day comes; the resurrection that Jesus gives us is the very nature of all of his disciples that must go through to become faithful followers of Jesus. Many modern Christians are what we might call 'zombie Christians'. This is not a metaphor, but a reality. When Jesus calls us to die with him, many reject this calling, believing it to be from Satan. They know deep down that it is the call of Jesus, but they prefer to be deceived in their hearts as it seems logical, reasonable, and satisfies their current values. However, when a Christian rejects the call of Jesus, the life of Jesus leaves that Christian, and that person becomes a 'zombie Christian'. A 'zombie Christian' is a person who knows about Jesus but does not follow Jesus because they have denied the call of Jesus to be his disciple. There are many 'zombie Christians'. Many become like Pharisees, and they are satisfied with knowing about the Scriptures, rather than obeying them. They begin to lose the joy, rest, and light of Jesus in their lives and begin to replace it with religious activities and the endless pursuit of knowledge about Christian life. When the Father speaks, He speaks once, and the Holy Spirit continuously reminds us to obey what the Father has said. However, once you become a zombie Christian, it is difficult to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, nor the voice of the Father. The Holy Spirit continuously prays to the Father with groaning that cannot be uttered because the Holy Spirit is in agony over the disobedient Christian. Just like the Prodigal Son, the Father waits for the son to return. An interesting observation can be made regarding the story of the Prodigal Son, that the father did not go after looking for the son, nor did the older brother. The reason the father did not go after the prodigal son was that the son made the choice, and the father respected the son's choice. But an interesting thing is that the older brother did not go after his brother, even though he could have. The older brother did not know the heart of the father, and when the prodigal son returned, the older son’s response reveals his true intentions. The Father waits for the zombie Christian to return. To return means to realize that their effort and ways of living caused much turmoil and must abide under the ruling of the Father. The Father gives another chance to zombie Christians. But when the second chance comes, the sacrifice that a zombie Christian makes seems greater than the first time. As that person has drifted away from the proper way of living and been replaced by religious activities that have no life. Every disciple of Jesus knows that one thing that Jesus asks us to give up. It is not to destroy us but to trust in the Lord. Just like when Peter asked Jesus to walk on water, Jesus is telling us to walk on water like Peter did. When we die in Jesus, it is the very spirit of Jesus that resurrects us. When we experience death and resurrection through Jesus, that is when we truly find the peace and rest that Jesus desires for us to have, not through religious activities, disciplines, and training. When we realize that our death does not lead to destruction, as the one inviting us to death is Jesus, who is life and resurrection, we trust in Jesus and follow through our death, and we wait on Jesus to resurrect us in his power and spirit. That is when we are truly free from the world and its bondages, and nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. We become one with Jesus as we suffer with him, and we glory with him. We can become truly victorious in all aspects of our lives, not with our power or abilities, but by what Jesus has done for us in himself. A true crown of glory awaits those who follow Jesus even to death.