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    Only the Scripture-based counseling approach is based entirely upon the truth of the Word which can produce effective, long lasting, and positive results.  Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"  (John 8:32).  Other approaches to counseling, in contrast, may lead one even into greater difficulties.  Unfortunately, many Christian counselors, because of their secular training, use primarily one of the secular approaches to counseling along with some Scriptures.

    Whole Person Counseling is based upon the scriptural truth that the individual is created in the image and likeness of God and is therefore a trichotomy: spirit, soul, and body.  More specifically, the individual is spiritual being, which has a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and lives in a house of the flesh. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"  (I Thessalonians 5:23).

I. The Call

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise"  (Proverbs 11:30).  This Scripture was my call.  Bringing to people to a eternal salvation through faith in Jesus as Lord is wise, but it also much more.  Winning souls is bringing people to emotional healing, spiritual freedom, and peace in their mind, will, and emotions.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will"  (II Timothy 2:24-26).

A. The counselor is to be a "servant of the Lord."

This implies that the individual is not counseling of his own initiative, but has submitted himself to Jesus and Jesus has called him to counsel.

B. The counselor is to "not strive."

The counselor is responsible to share the truth in love, but not out to force his views on others.

C. He is to "be gentle unto all men."

Tenderness often softens the hardest of hearts.

D. The counselor is "apt to teach."

He is able to give instructions.

E. The counselor is to be "patient."

Confidently trusting that God will work in due time.

F. The counselor is to be "In meekness instructing."

1. Meekness is strength submitted under authority.

a. There must be a dependence upon God.
b. The Counsel must come from the LORD.
c. Wisdom is seeing from God's perspective.
d. Discernment and prayer essential.

2. Instructing is giving illustrations and examples of the truth pointing to a direction of action..

G. "Those that oppose themselves."

Most people who need counseling, in one way or another, have done or are doing things which bring negative consequences in their lives.

H. "If God peradventure will give them repentance."

God is not willing that any perish and He is no respector of persons.  I believe that grace is always available if the individual is willing to receive it; however, the individual is responsible to receive and act upon it.  Repentance is more than just stopping doing wrong and start doing right.  It is stop trusting is self effort and start trusting in God's grace to do right.

I.  "To the acknowledging of the truth."

People lives are often filled with lies, but when they receive and apply the truth, they are set free.

J. "And that they may recover themselves."

1. Again, this shows the individual responsibility.
2. They regain their senses or become sober.

K. "Out of the snare of the devil."

1. They have been tricked and trapped by the devil.
2. They must recover themselves.
3. The counselor instructs, but the individual also must respond to be free.

L. "Who are taken captive by him at his will."

1. These have been ensnared by the devil.
2. The devil may at times have control over their mind, will, and emotions as well as their health, finances and social relations.

A. Scripture is the basis for all counseling.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works"  (II Timothy 3:16-17).

B. Jesus is our example.

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men"  (Matthew 4:19).  "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people"  (Matthew 4:23).  He went forth teaching, preaching, and healing.

1. Teaching is teaching the Word of God, the Bible.
2. Preaching is giving explanation and illustrations concerning the Word.
3. Healing is the application of the Word.

C. Prayer is critical.

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not"  (Jeremiah 33:3).

D. One must function in his spiritual gifting.

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness"  (Romans 12:5-8).

E. The manifestations of the Spirit are also essential.

"And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will"  (I Corinthians 12:6-11).

A. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success"  (Joshua 1:8).

1. The preparation includes reading the Word (the Bible as a whole).

2. The preparation includes memorization of the Word.

3. The preparation includes meditation on Word.

4. The preparation includes application of the Word.

5. The preparation includes believing that God promises prosperity and good success.

B. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"  (II Timothy 2:15).

1. The counselor must study the Word.

2. The counselor must understand that this is work.

3. The counselor needs to understand how to correctly interpret the Word.

C. "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned"  (Isaiah 50:4).

1. The ability to counsel comes from the Lord.

2. Counseling is prefaced by listening, but true counseling is also speaking. It is giving sound advise based upon the Word.

3. It is speaking the right thing at the right time.

4. It is speaking the truth in love to someone who is worn out and exhausted from trying to battle the issues.

5. The counselor must receive counsel in order to give counsel.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me"  (I Corinthians 15:10).  Whatever is to be accomplished, is to be accomplished by the grace of God.
 

A. Discovering one's Identity. B. Receiving the healing of emotional wounds and bruises. C. Getting a clear conscience. D. Tearing down strongholds and spiritual freedom. E. Overcoming depression. F. Overcoming addictions. G. Overcoming fear and anxiety. H. Understanding the purpose in facing trials. I. Resolving social difficulties.

J. Addressing physical health issues. K. Breaking generational curses. L. Studying  and using the Word. M. Understanding the principles of authority. N. Finding God's plan for one's life. O. Receiving grace to be and to do. P. Overcoming financial issues. Q. Understanding valley experiences. R. Overcoming in spiritual warfare.

Note: The above list is general a outline and does not constitute all that may be covered or an absolute order of issues.  Furthermore, many issues are often intertwined with one or more other issues.  "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God"  (Acts 20:27).