Jul 17, 2023

The Heart – A Biblical Psychology – How does the Bible explain who we are? – The Rev. Dr. Frank Newell

Institution: St. Athanasius Provincial Seminary

Language: English

Post Format: Text

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Think about helping the people in the church. We think about counseling or biblical counseling.And of course, our heart is to help people who are struggling with issues and problems.And the scriptures guide us on how to do that. It's a rich, rich resource that we can use to help people in the Church.We don't just want the help them temporarily. We don't just want to give them some a few ideas that might help them today and tomorrow. No, we want to see real change.Because people are struggling with real problems.So what does the scripture? How does the scripture guide us and direct us on what we should do?The scripture said if we really want to help people and see real change, that we need to focus on the heart of the person.Now, of course, a heart.We don't need the physical heart. We're talking about the spiritual heart that the the the part of us that thinks and feels and and does. It's the it's the engine, it's the motivation.Of what we do.Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23 tells us that out of the hard springs all the affairs of life. Everything in our life comes from the heart.How we feel for feeling depressed and discouraged or afraid.And what we think, whether we think we can't do something or we have negative thoughts and what we do, whether we blow up an anger at people or we we say words about people that that are harsh on them, whatever we do and think and feel.Comes from the heart, the Bible says.And of course Jesus said the same thing in Matthew chapter 12 verses 34 and 35. He says the mouth speaks out of the heart, so whatever fills up the heart comes out of the mouth.And he says the good person.Brings out of the good treasure of their heart good things.But the evil person?Brings out of the treasure of their heart evil things.So we see if we really.Really want to help people?Then we need to focus on the heart. That's what the scripture guides us to and tells us that we need to do.That we need to help people with their change, their heart.Now, how does that happen? How do people's hearts change? Can can people just make a decision? Oh, I want to stop being afraid, or I want to stop being discouraged and depressed. No, they can't do it if they could do it.They wouldn't come to us and ask for help in counseling.But it's really, it's quite the opposite. They need our help. They need someone to help apply the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, to the heart.Now think about yourself.Your heart, my heart if the non Christian.The one who hasn't, who isn't following Christ, of course. In their heart is. What's controlling their heart is their their own wants. Their own desires may be lies from other people. That's what's motivating them and causing us to do what they do.But for you and me who are followers of Christ and those people who are in our church.They have Christ in their hearts.That's what's motivating or should be motivating to them to do what they do.Now, of course, all of us as Christians know that when we come to Christ, Christ comes into our heart. That's a blessing and a great thing.But yet in our hearts there is still evil desires and evil thoughts and evil thinking that that controls us and motivates us. What to do? There is also, of course, Christ, who and his ways and his truth and his goodness that motivate us to do what we do. It's.Or mixed.And so the person who's struggling with counseling.Has come to you and they said I am.Mess within or for example. I am discouraged and depressed and I just can't.Find any energy to do anything. I just have no desire. Can you help me?So one solution would be to say, well, what you need to do is you need to have positive thoughts. You need to think good thoughts about yourself that really look at the bright side of life and think good thoughts and that'll help.Other people say, well, what's you need is just to feel loved and if you feel loved by other person, you'll be encouraged and you'll be able to do.What you want to do?The Scripture says yes, how we think is important and how we feel is important.But he says that's not really the answer.That's what we need to do to help people get behind why they think what they think, why they feel what they do. And of course, that's the heart, that's what the scriptures say. That's what we want to to to see change.Now the problem, the Bible says with people is what's called the Bible calls the lust of the flesh.This is used and changed chapter one versus 13 through 16. It's used in Ephesians chapter 2, verse three. It says that of course on believers are controlled by the lust of the flesh, but believers have the less the flesh in them but they have the spirit that is warring against.Or killing or pushing down the flesh of the flesh. And so we will. What we want to do is to help people more and more is to understand.That.How does the spirit work in them? How does the spirit change them?Too often in our churches.We've allowed the thoughts of this world.The ideas of this world, which aren't all terrible and all false, but we've allowed them to control how we help people.Think positively.Change your actions if you're struggling, for instance, from fear.Well, the Bible tells us what?Don't be afraid. Fear not, for I am with you.So the way to solve your problem is just believe this first that Jesus gave you to fear not.Make yourself strong and say alright, I'm not going to be afraid anymore.That's how the world treats.People who are struggling with these issues, that's not how the Church should do it. The Church often does that, but that's not how we should do it. We need to get to the heart. Why? What are you afraid of? Where are you not trusting God?To take care of you.Where do you think your future is unsure? Why are you afraid of the future when the God that you know and who who loves you is in charge of the future and has planned your future?Why are you feeling discouraged and depressed? What? Why are you feeling threatened?Do you not trust God? Do you not understand how much He loves you? Do you not know that He sent his only Son for you?Now, of course, we know it in our minds.Of the problem of people who are struggling with discouragement and depression and anger or whatever, it hasn't reached their heart.The Holy Spirit really hasn't convinced them yes, no matter what happens.I'm loved by God. How do I know that? Because he sent his son.And what what God wants us to do is to help people to understand those truths.Not just in our minds, but understand those truths and apply them to our hearts. What do they mean for you and for me?So if you and I want to help people in the church.In counseling.We need to get to the root of the problem.Not just treat the symptoms and give them a few ideas how to not be afraid or how to be strong. Now we need to get to the root of the problem, the heart.And then we need to help them understand that the Holy Spirit.Can change their heart. Just as he changed them and gave them the new life, he can also renew them and help them in the area where they're struggling. Of course, you and I have a role in that. The Holy Spirit uses us as counselors, as teachers, as people who.Walk alongside other people to help them apply and live out the word of God.That's our role as counselors, to be used by God, to be patient with people.To love them.To walk with them, but also to help them see that God can help them change. He has the power to do that. He is the only one who can change the hearts of men and women.That really is the core and the essence of biblical counseling.So let's pray.Dear Father, we thank you that you created us and you know us perfectly and wonderfully.And you are the Great physician. You're the only one can help us. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are struggling. Would you help them to believe that you can help them? And for those of us who are counselors, give us wisdom.Patience and love to walk beside her brothers and sisters and to help them.No.Christ and him crucified. And see the change that the Holy Spirit can bring. This we ask in Christ name. Amen.

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The Heart – A Biblical Psychology – How does the Bible explain who we are? – The Rev. Dr. Frank Newell

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