Though a certain element of psychology can be helpful in the study of the brain, we need to be wary of trusting it because it has a tendency to negate scripture. So, we must ask ourselves, how far should the Christian Church go in accepting a helping hand from the secular field of psychology? Should we have secular licensed psychologists working in the church as counselors? Is secular counseling a viable option for the Christian?  Should we submit the teaching of Scripture to the field of psychology? Or, should we dig into the pages of Holy Writ and find out what God has said about proper behavior and how to live better before God?

The answer is easy. Scripture is supreme and we are not to interpret it or attempt to modify human behavior and understanding apart from or in contradiction to biblical revelation. In other words, we need to put the word of God above what the secularists and psychology have to say and distance ourselves from all things that contradict the Bible.

Let’s take, for example, an important topic such as homosexuality. Unfortunately the American Psychological Association says homosexuality is not a choice, not an illness.[1] Therefore, it cannot be considered a sin nor is it something to avoid. In addition, there are psychology studies that suggest religious belief is nothing more than a function of the physical brain.[2] There is even a hint in some circles that such religious belief might be an abnormality.[3] Such ideas are an obvious contradiction to biblical revelation and can be potentially dangerous to Christian freedoms – especially when it comes to counseling.

2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” (NASB). Since the Bible tells us that Scripture is sufficient for correction so we might be adequate for every good work, this naturally includes the good work of counseling. God’s inspired word means that we should not subject ourselves to the secular wisdom with its ungodly approval of such things as homosexuality, abortion, moral relativism, and promiscuity. We are to avoid such things, not subject ourselves to counselors who approve of them in part or in whole. Remember, the Bible tells us that the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God (1 Cor. 3:19).  So, let’s not adopt the foolishness of the world. Let’s not “be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).

The Christian Church must find its source of wisdom for counseling in the sacred, not the secular. The Christian Church should support and utilize Christian counselors who are mature in the Lord, who are properly trained biblically, who do not adopt the wisdom of the world, and who are devoted to Christ. The Christian church should not succumb to secular pressure and adopt ungodly teachers who would influence God’s people away from the truth of his word. Again, “do not be bound together with unbelievers.”

There are some Christian schools that are promoting unholy alliances by encouraging and training their students to be affiliated with the secular state psychological, counselor and social work boards. Likewise, other ministries are also promoting these same unholy alliances. The ways of the world have influenced people into believing the lie that being a state licensed psychologist/counselor/social worker is a more credible certification. In reality, Christian church ordination is the superior credential for counselors and they should be aware of the exemption for faith based counselors in the State of Idaho.[4] How can these state agencies (hypocrites) that condone counselors who promote abortion, witchcraft, and homosexuality be looked upon as morally credible agencies to protect the public? JESUS of Nazareth spoke about these hypocrites – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!.... In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. NIV Matthew 23:27-28.

There are many Christian counselors and several Christian counseling organizations such as nanc.org, iabc.net, sbabc.org, and christiancounseling.com. These provide Bible-based counseling practices. I suggest that if you were not already in contact with one or more of these groups, that you look into utilizing their services.