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For very
good reasons, Christians throughout history have spoken of three
enemies to every believer in the world. They are:
The World
— problems in the scene (there)
The Flesh
— problems in me (here)
The Devil
— problems behind the scene (beyond)
For this
reason, EVERY problem a person has will have one, two or three of
these dimensions. Many include all three, with an emphasis on one or
two of them. Any counseling may be incomplete if it fails to deal
with all three aspects.
As a
counselor you need to make it clear to the one being counseled the
multi-part nature of his or her struggle. Remember these three
guidelines areas...
#1 The
environment (scene) in which they live exerts various pressures on
the individual. There are times when individuals must break old
associations (persons, places, activities. See 1 Corinthians 15:33 1)
and form new ones to replace them.
#2 The
personal habits and thoughts of the individual must be changed –
these are the patterns that shape their behavior (flesh - and the
need to be renewed in their thinking. See Romans 12:1-2).
#3 They
must recognize that there is also a spiritual struggle behind the
scene. (See James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8). Otherwise
the person may not be aware of the devil's schemes, and may stumble
over the many obstacles that Satan puts in the way.
When a
person is aware of all these aspects of the battle they are involved
in (and the root of all their problems) they are then able to begin
to search out and utilize the resources and means that God has
provided for dealing with these problems.
1 A
counselor must stress the first half of this verse: 'Do not be
misled.' Most people will deny that there is any need to abandon old friendships. |
