The Word of God is a sword, but Christians often wield it to cut others up. There is a greater purpose and counselors can minister life and hope through the skillful use of biblical truths.
Ephesians 6:17: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Consider the Bible as a double-edged sword. That definition leads many to visualize Mel Gibson in the movie “Braveheart.” William Wallace wades through enemies like a hot knife through butter, hacking his enemies and leaving a trail of destruction.
Sadly, some misguided folks still use God’s word this way as they try to “persuade” the unsaved of God’s impending wrath for them. Look at those who preach venom or wave hateful signs outside abortion clinics or LGBTQ rallies. Carve, hack, and destroy. The word of God is to be used for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16), all bathed in an attitude and atmosphere of love, not condemnation.
Like other Christian counselors and deliverance ministers, I rely on the Lord to bring Bible scriptures to mind that I can use in the correct context with my clients. The session, unless I am doing a teaching on a particular topic, is not scripted and there is always an opportunity to share my perceptions and views on what I have heard from them.
For a long time, I viewed Hebrews 4:12 as a surgical procedure that the Lord wanted to perform on us. God’s Word, in that context, was to pierce us and expose our sin. He rebuked us for unholy thoughts and attitudes so we would feel guilty and make the necessary changes to become better Christians.
I no longer dwell in that camp. Rather, I am unabashedly a “grace guy.”
Living under grace does not offer a license to sin. We need a revelation that it is not our efforts that will get us to where we want to go. I believe that the best definition of grace (courtesy of James Ryle) is as follows: “His empowering presence in us that enables us to do all that we are called to do, and be all that we are called to be.”
Most of my clients have a flawed understanding of grace. They are aware of their shortcomings and see how they fall short in their expectations for the Christian walk. They labor under a pervasive “sin consciousness.” Most lack a “righteousness consciousness,” that the Lord truly desires that we embrace. I try to help impart that to them during our sessions. Elements of that reality are:
- We are the children of God.
- We are sons and daughters of the King
- We have been Blood-bought and redeemed from the curse of the law.
- We are the righteousness of God in Christ.
- God forgives us of our sin and remembers it no more.
- God is for us and not against us.
- There is no condemnation for those in Christ.
- Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
The Word of God Brings Life and Hope
These messages (and others) should reverberate throughout the Body of Christ. Many have heard these truths but cannot believe or accept them for their own lives.
I have seen hearts soften and tears well up when the Lord gives me a “Rhema” word that penetrates their soul and spirit. I believe that when the person hears the Truth (scripture), their born-again spirit man rejoices and, for at least a moment, is able to direct their unrenewed mind to the path of life. They know that it is God’s word they are hearing, and that is right for them, even if their experience or soulish thoughts say otherwise.
I contend that it is The Lord Himself, through the power of the spoken word, helping to capture their negative thoughts in that instant. The light drives the darkness out of their situation for a moment, so seeds for change are planted or nurtured. Hope can begin to displace despair and faith, which pleases God, can start to manifest in tangible steps.
Some months back, I was wrapping up an internet counseling session with a couple. The husband had been verbally abusing his wife, reminding her of her past (pre-marriage) sins and not letting it go. She was mentally and emotionally drained. Before praying and concluding our time together, the Lord led me to speak directly to the wife (paraphrasing):”In spite of what your husband has said to you, you need to know that God has forgiven your sins and remembers it no more. You are a daughter of the King, the righteousness of Christ and you are precious to him. You are not the things your husband calls you, and I break those word curses now, in Jesus name.”
She told me later, in another session, that my words had confirmed to her what she already knew, but it was so important for her to hear them again from a real person. They empowered her, strengthened her and helped her progress in her walk with the Lord.
Jesus is the living Word and the bread of life so speaking it can change circumstances and hearts! At Above & Beyond, we have seen this reality frequently, and I encourage you to speak life words, as the Lord leads, into your counseling and real life situations. These do not need to happen in office or clinical sessions. If you ask, the Lord will lead you, and give you fresh bread for others.
You are a carrier of the Holy Spirit, and this world needs what you have. Speak the truth, the word of God, in love as He leads and you will see great fruit.
Need that hope for yourself, or want to learn more about how to move in this area? We would love to meet with you.
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