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1. (A) Counsel Offered Must Be True

Christian biblical counseling believes in the truths of the Bible and thus seeks to teach these truths as part of the counseling process. There is a growing demand for and interest in quality Christian counselors. According to the Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study in 2012, 89 percent of adults in the United States believe in "God or a universal spirit" and eight-in-ten people identify with a religious group (Pew, 2012).

Any Christian who sets out to counsel another individual, whether formally or casually, is aware that the counsel offered must be true. Counseling is by definition a compassionately impulsive serving and helping ministry. It assumes that someone is confronted with some measure of confusion, disappointment, or despair in their lives and that second person endeavors to help by analyzing the counselee’s situation, sorting out the issues involved, and then offering helpful and healing advice and direction. But the efficacy of all that the counselor undertakes to do is dependent at least on this one thing: that his analysis and counsel is true. (Mack, 1998, p. 68)

Thus it is the responsibility of the Christian counselor to be the vessel of truth for God, and to shine the light of truth on what is false. Thus, to illuminate this truth and wisdom of God in the lives of those who are struggling and seeking wise counsel, the Christian counselor must be a true living Christian themselves.

And of course they must be very well versed in Christian Doctrine and God’s Word. Or as the Apostle Paul poetically puts it in first Timothy, chapter 3 verse 9, when referring to a high-level church leader, he said they must “uphold and fully understand the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity” (from the Amplified Bible)⁴. Put simply, he said that in order to lead the church, one must fully understand the essential doctrine with a clear conscience; that clear conscience results from behavior that is consistent with spiritual maturity.

In addition to spiritual maturity, to be a worthy Bible teaching clinician, one must also be knowledgeable about the world and its rich history, while not giving in to their seductive allures, because we serve a Master that is not of this world. Still, in order to be effective counselors, we must know about all of the natural and social sciences, as well as all the other world religions and traditions, their histories and philosophies. Why? We must be aware and know our enemies (Ephesians 6:12)⁵. As there is deception, delusion, and lies on every corner. But what is real and credible? What is the answer? What can people do?

They can turn to Christ—to the truth. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)⁶. He said, “I am … the truth” (John 14:6)⁷. Jesus did not say, “You shall know a truth” or “any truth” but “the truth.” He’s the embodiment of all truth.

Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24)⁸. Jesus Christ claimed to be the ultimate truth. If you don’t believe that and don’t accept Christ, you will die in your sins and you’ll be lost.