What the Bible Says About Counseling

Source:  Bill Bellican

God’s Word has much to say about His Truth/Counsel, His willingness and ability to help us come into the light, and how desperately we have need for His help to be able to live a meaningful, balanced, and Godly life.

[Selected Scriptures – NIV]

• Genesis 18:14a

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

• Job 12:22

He (God) reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

• Psalm 16:7a

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me…

• Psalm 43:3a

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me.

• Psalm 119:24

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors

• Psalm 119:130a

The unfolding of your words gives light.

• Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

• Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

• Proverbs 8:14, 17b

Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have understanding and power… those who seek me find me.

• Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

• Proverbs 12:25

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

• Jeremiah 17:9-10a,12-14

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.   Who can understand it?  I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind… Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

• Jeremiah 20:12a

O Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind…

• Daniel 2:22

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him.

• Micah 7:8b-9b

Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light… He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

• Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

• Luke 13:2

When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman you are set free from your infirmity.”

• John 8:32,36

Jesus said… “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

• John 10:10

Jesus said… “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

• John 14:6a

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

• John 16:13a

“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

• Acts 26:17b-18

“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

• Romans 8:6

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

• Romans 12:2b

…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

• 1 Corinthians 4:5b

He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness…

• 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.   On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

• Galatians 5:1a

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

• Galatians 5:1a

You, my brothers, were called to be free.

• Ephesians 1:18a

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…

• Ephesians 3:17b-21

And I pray that you… may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory… for ever and ever!

• Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

• Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

• Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him whom we must give account.

• James 1:5-6a

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…

• 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God… who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

• 1 John 5:6b

… the Spirit is the truth.