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Counseling Victims to Freedom - Lesson 1

by Dr. Ray Self

Instructions

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Introduction – Know the Root Cause

Proverbs1:29-33 - Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil.

Romans 15:14 - And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge,able also to admonish (counsel) one another.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign, the Holy Spirit works through means, and those means are the Word of God. This forms the foundation of Adams' argument that Christians are "competent to counsel". Jay Adams

Course principle - Obedience to the unfailing principles of the word of God will bring about change.

Sin, Disease and Mental Illness

James 5:14.-16 - Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Are we venting feelings when we should be confessing sin?

Talking about and expressing our emotions is healthy but that is not confession
True godly confession never includes self-justification
Self-justification will exclude God’s justification

Guilt and shame which are normally caused by sin are like a cancer. Christian counselors have an answer for guilt and shame that secular counselors do not.

There is a strong relationship between sin and disease, including mental illness.

Psalms 38:3 - There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

God’s forgiveness brings healing.

Psalms 103:3 - Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases?

John 5:14 - Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

In the above scripture Jesus clearly deals with sin in relationship to healing.

God requires ownership not excuses.

We are responsible for our behavior. Taking responsibility is the first step to healing. Jeremiah 31:29-31 - In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

God requires us to take ownership of our actions regardless of the cause
Taking responsibility for our self, and not others is a key to freedom

The promise from scripture is that each one will die for his own personal sin. Praise God that Jesus dies that death for us. That is the central message of the gospel.

1 John 1:8-10 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

In 1 John 1, God describes a three part remedy for sin and its effects: confess, receive forgiveness, be cleansed.

Cleansing is the final answer. Cleansing removes sin and its effects completely.

God requires confession because of His love for us and His desire to see us made whole.

Psalms 32:5 - I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psalms 38:18 - For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin

Confession requires heartfelt honesty
Confession sometimes requires courage
Confession requires humility
Confession leads to healing and peace
Confession leads to blessing

Psalms 32:1 - Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Study Questions:

What is our course principle and why does it work?
Christian counselors have an answer for the problems of guilt and shame. What is the answer? Explain.
Why does God’s forgiveness bring healing?
How does taking responsibility for personal actions and sin bring freedom?

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Counseling Victims to Freedom - Lesson 1

Instructions

Introduction – Know the Root Cause

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Counseling Victims to Freedom - Lesson 1

Instructions

Introduction – Know the Root Cause