Why does Paul not thank the Philippians for the gift they give him? How does his view of contentment factor into his response to their gift? It isn’t because he has enough. The reason takes us outside of our culture and teaches us to learn contentment with Paul. Continue Reading →
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Spiritual warfare is not something outward but inward. This is because our problems are not “out there” in our circumstances or environment but rooted deep in our hearts. Knowing this reduces the need to contend with people and situations external to ourselves and moves the focus of our battles to the war inside us. Continue Reading →
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Here’s a test: Are you humble? C. S. Lewis said, “If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”[1] So if you answered the test with “yes,” then you’ve fallen into the trap of conceit. On the other hand, if you say “no,” you’re aware of your pride at the very least. But this raises an important question: How important is humility, and how do we grow in humility? These two questions are well answered in William Farley’s Gospel Powered Humility, which is probably the best non-counseling book for counselors and counselees that you’ve never read. Continue Reading →
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Western society argues that the human body is insignificant. We are told that our bodies are of no value in determining identity and that sex is purely a physical need—of no significance to our personhood. Not only does Scripture argue that our bodies are significant by God’s design, but we also find the Bible teaches that the body is important because of its connection with the heart and the resulting effects in relationships. Paul’s argument against sexual immorality is rooted in this connection between what we do with our bodies and how it impacts our soul, and therefore our relationships. Understanding this connection is crucial to helping people who struggle with sexual sin. Continue Reading →
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If we are to help counselees to develop a godly marriage, we must understand the purpose of marriage. Some books argue that the purpose of marriage is to make us holy, rather than happy. While there is certainly truth to this, marriage was instituted before the fall and, therefore, has a greater purpose than only those made evident by the effects of the fall. Many argue that marriage “was designed to be a reflection of the saving love of God for us in Jesus Christ.” There is also truth to this, though again, marriage predates the revelation of Christ and holds value in and of itself. In this short article, we will examine three primary purposes of marriage that fit the creation account and provide the foundation for a healthy marriage. We will also briefly discuss how the fall and the incarnation affect the original meaning of marriage. By understanding these factors, we can begin to chart a path toward the key components of a healthy marriage. Continue Reading →
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