SCRIPTURE IS SUFFICIENT

THE ULTIMATE THERAPEUTIC TOOL

 

Taking all this into consideration we can conclude and agree with the fact that the Scripture is sufficient in its ability to be used as a therapeutic tool. After all Paul states in 2 Timothy 3 verse 17 that the man of God be perfectly and thoroughly equipped to carry out his duty as the representative of God. When we look at a few different translations on this one verse our sense of the sufficiency of Scripture is more than enforced.

 

  • (NASB) – “So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
  • (GNB) – “So that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.”
  • (AMP) – “So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
  • (ALT) – “So that the person of God shall be fully qualified [or, perfectly fit], having been completely equipped for every good work.”

THE BIBLE IS ALL WE NEED

 

The Biblical Therapist who has his Bible and is thoroughly trained in it need not feel inadequate in dealing with any problem of the human mind or soul. The Bible has all that he needs to meet all demands in counselling. We must bear in mind the mandate Jesus gave to the men he left behind when He completed His good work. According to Matthew 10:8

 

“The sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.”

 

ILLNESS IS IN THE MIND

 

The Greek meaning of the word heal is therapeuo which is also translated in English as therapy. We also know that most of our disease are psychosomatic. This is a combination of two Greek words namely psycho which has to do with mind and belief and soma which refers to the body. Many sicknesses and ailments have their origin in our minds. If for arguments sake we do not believe that the instruction to rest one day of the week is valid because we consider the Bible antiquated, our bodies will eventually break down in some way or another. Many people suffer from eating disorders because of wrong beliefs. The same is true for anxiety, stress and depression. They all manifest in our bodies if we do not learn to deal with the underlying psychological and emotional issues which are the real cause.

 

THE POWER OF BELIEF

 

However, an indispensable ingredient in the recipe to powerful therapy is the question of belief. If a patient has no faith in the doctor he/she consults regarding a health matter, it is unlikely that the prescription he/she is given by the physician will be followed. God tells us the same in the Scriptures. As stated in Hebrews 11:6

 

“ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

 

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

 

So when we seek counsel from God we must believe that He is a good God who wants to heal and bless us and that He will also do what is best for us according to His word. This is a very powerful truth from where we must launch our quest to obtain from God what is lacking in our lives. It is so powerful that this principle governs our entire life and determines our eventual destiny. People are what they are and do what they do because of their beliefs. The Scripture once more confirms in Proverbs 23:7

 

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

 

DR KRIGE AND HOUSE REGENERATION

 

This adapted content was extracted from A Biblical Approach to Psychotherapy authored by Dr Ado Krige, the Founding Director of House Regeneration, a South African drug rehabilitation centre offering a comprehensive discipleship training program. By applying principles of Biblical Therapy, using the Scriptures to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness, House Regeneration counsellors show anyone who has suffered from addiction how to fully understand why they do what they do and how to bring their belief systems in line with the Word of God.