The Sufficiency of Scripture and Counseling
On January 2, 2024 by Jacob Jones
The sufficiency of Scripture is a foundational principle connected with the character of the One we know to be the Author of Scripture. Our God is Holy, Faithful and True and He has a perfect knowledge of all our needs. His Word perfectly and completely addresses every need that we all face. (2 Pet 1:3) He is intimately aware of every aspect of our lives, (Heb 4:14-16) and He knows what direction is best for us to live in a way that pleases Him. (Pro 3:5-7) Since God perfectly and faithfully breathed out His Word for us, His Word is sufficient for our every need. His Divine Knowledge directed the inspiration of His Word and we can view God’s Word as a perfect instruction manual for our lives.
The Word of God is alive and powerful and is full of the knowledge of God. (Heb 4:12) The Word of God is breathed out by God and is profitable for every area of our lives. It teaches us about God and what He desires for us. It shows us where we are in error against God. It directs us in how to get right with God. It instructs us to have a disciplined life in pursuing righteous living. God’s Word is profitable in every area of our lives because it’s breathed out by Our Creator, who knows our needs. (2 Tim 3:15-17)
The practice of Biblical counseling can only be effective if the Word of God is the foundation. Paul tells the Corinthians that there is no sufficiency in ourselves, but that a believer’s sufficiency comes from God. (2 Cor 3:4-6) The only effective change that a believer can make will be centered around conformity to God’s Word. (Ps 119:9-11) God’s Word is sufficient to meet our every need.
Many so-called “Christian” counselors and psychologists have tried to integrate their eclectic worldly viewpoint upon the church. They undermine the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, by weaving in their idea that Scripture only deals with “spiritual advice” and that they (as the experts) have the tools to help a person work through the process of healing the brain. They believe mental problems are a biological problem that need healing and therefore Scripture doesn’t have the ability to treat those problems.
To be clear, a truly biological problem would need to be addressed by a medical professional. For example, if I were in a car accident and my brain was physically jostled around to the point of swelling or bleeding, I would need a medical doctor’s care. Or if I had cancer of the brain, I would need to seek medical attention from a medical doctor.
However, when integrationists term “depression, anxiety, fear, drunkenness, anger, addictions, etc” as “biological disorders”, they are not describing a medical/physical problem, but from a Biblical perspective these are defined as “spiritual/sin” problems. These so-called “experts” assume, imply, and teach that each of these issues that the Bible calls “sin” are actual physical diseases that need to be addressed by a “mental health professional”. Supposedly, only the “professionals” have the expertise in helping to heal these problems.
God’s Word does address each of these sin problems (2 Cor 4:1-18, Phil 4:6-9, Matt 15:18-19, 2 Tim 1:7, Luke 6:45) and provides us with instruction from God Himself on how to deal with sin. When we go to God’s Word humbly, we find answers, solutions, and grace to meet our every need.