Because of our commitment to the Bible in biblical counseling, we sometimes minimize the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Read that sentence again. Let it impact you.
Because of our commitment to the Bible in biblical counseling, we sometimes minimize the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We are rightfully focused on making sure our counsel aligns with God’s Word. We studiously examine the Word.
But do we mistakenly examine God’s Word while minimizing the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating, guiding, teaching, discipling, mentoring, and counseling the biblical counselor?
God’s Word teaches that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Counselor living within us—John 14:16.
God’s Word teaches that it is the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth—John 14:26.
So…let’s ponder just some of the roles of the Holy Spirit—the Divine Counselor—in the life and ministry of the biblical counselor…
1. Our Biblical Counseling Must Be Dependent Upon the Holy Spirit—the Divine Counselor: John 14:16
The disciples were terrified. Jesus—the One they entrusted their entire lives to—would be leaving them. Yet, He would not be leaving them alone—not be leaving them as orphans (John 14:18).
Instead, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Divine Counselor, Comforter, Encourager, Advocate, Helper, would be with them and in them forever.
- So, when we counsel, how consciously dependent are we on the Divine Counselor who is in us forever to help us? What would this look like in our lives and ministries?
- So, as counselors, are we being constantly counseled by the Divine Counselor? What would this look like?
2. Our Biblical Counsel Must Be Guided by the Spirit of Truth: John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:12-15
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), who will teach/disciple us in all things (John 14:26) and will testify about Jesus (John 15:26), and will guide us into all truth (John 16:12-15), all for the purpose of glorifying Jesus (John 16:14).
As biblical counselors we want to be all about the truth—the truth of God’s Word resulting in lives that reflect God’s truth (this is the meaning of the Greek word for truth—aletheia—living out the truth with integrity, humility, and honesty).
But we can’t be truly biblical counselors if our counsel is not guided by the Spirit of truth. Notice that word—counsel—a noun—the actual counsel, guidance, wisdom, discernment we seek to help our counselee discover in and apply from God’s Word. Our counsel derives from the Counsel of the Divine Counselor.
- So, when we counsel, are we consciously and constantly seeking the guidance of the Spirit of truth as we seek to speak/live God’s truth in love with our counselees? What would this look like in your life and counsel/counseling?
- So, as biblical counselors, are we humbly dependent upon the Spirit of Truth to help us to discern how to share biblical truth that is most relevant to our counselee’s life? What would this look like in your life and counsel/counseling?
3. As Biblical Counselors, God Invites Us to Be Comforted and Encouraged by the Divine Comforter/Encourager/Soul Care-Giver/Advocate (John 14:16)
We previously hinted at this aspect when we reflected on John 14:16. The Holy Spirit is “another Helper/Advocate.” The Greek Word is paraklayton—Encourager, Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Counselor.
Who counsels the counselor? Who comforters the comforter-giving biblical counselor? Who encourages the biblical encouragement counselor? Who is the Soul Care-Giver for the human giver of soul care? The Biblical Counselor living within us does—He is our Divine Comforter, Encourager, Counselor.
Biblical counseling that relates soul-to-soul as we share Scripture and soul (1 Thessalonians 2:8) takes a lot out of us. In fact, it takes everything out of us. We are desperately dependent on being filled by, encouraged by, and comforted by the Divine Comforter.
- So, as biblical counselors, who is our Counselor? Who is our Soul Care-Giver? What would it look like for you to accept the Spirit’s invitation to be your Soul Care-Giver?
- So, as we spend and expend ourselves caring for others, are we consciously turning moment by moment to the Holy Spirit for His Divine comfort and encouragement—to replenish us, revive us, and refresh us as biblical counselors? What would this look like?
4. As Biblical Counselors, God Invites Us to Be Discipled by the Divine Discipler (John 14:26)
We also already hinted at this aspect. John 14:26 says the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. The Greek word is didaskei—disciple. The Holy Spirit is our Divine Discipler. He is our Divine Mentor. He is our Divine Counselor.
As I get older (I’m 61 as I type this), it’s harder and harder to find someone willing to be my discipler. I am hungry to be discipled. I need discipling.
So, one of my 2021 Ephesians 3:20-21 God-sized visions is to be discipled by the Divine Discipler. I still want, need, and long for human discipleship. But even more, I find myself desperate for discipleship and mentoring from the Divine Discipler. Increasingly, I find myself praying throughout the day for the Spirit’s wisdom, guidance, strength, discipling, mentoring…
- So, as biblical counselors, who is our Discipler? What would it look like in your life and ministry to be discipled by the Divine Discipler?
- So, as biblical counselors, who Mentors us? Who mentors you—The Divine Mentor the Holy Spirit? What would this look like in your life and ministry?
The Rest of the Story
There’s more to come. This is the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.” In my time in the Word this month (at least), I’m focused on the Holy Spirit My Divine Counselor. Lord willing—and Spirit-guiding—I suspect I’ll be posting further posts like today’s…
Join the Conversation
Of the 4 main points in today’s post, which one hits home and resonates the most for you? Why? How?
Of the 8 applicational bullet points in today’s post, which one do you most want to focus on for your life and ministry?
