Psychotherapy refers to the process of treating psychological, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal problems through talking with a trained therapist. As Christians, our view of psychotherapy should be shaped by biblical principles about human nature, mental health, counseling, and reliance on God.
Here are some key points for Christians to consider regarding psychotherapy:
1. The limits of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be helpful for certain issues, but it has limits. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, Scripture is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” God’s Word contains tremendous resources for spiritual, emotional, and mental healing that should not be neglected.
Psychology offers insights into the human psyche, but true and lasting inner transformation requires the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. Therapy alone cannot address spiritual needs or replace biblical soul care (Hebrews 4:12). At best, psychotherapy can supplement the healing, maturing process God brings about through His Word, His Spirit, and biblical community.
2. The goodness of therapy
While recognizing its limits, Christians should also acknowledge the good that therapy can provide. Many godly counselors integrate biblical truth and psychological insights to help people grow. Addressing emotional wounds, developing coping skills, and retraining negative thought patterns can be valuable when done under God’s authority.
Scripture teaches that the Lord has given the field of psychology some truth and common grace insights (James 1:17). We can appreciate these gifts with discernment, distinguishing helpful resources from unbiblical worldviews (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Counseling can be a tool God uses, alongside spiritual means, to renew our minds and transform our hearts (Romans 12:2).
3. Caution about secular worldviews
While we can gain understanding of human thinking and behavior from psychology, we must be discerning. Much of secular psychology is based on unbiblical assumptions about human autonomy, moral relativism, an inherently good human nature, and the meaning of problems. Temptations toward an ungodly focus on self, dwelling on past wounds, or avoiding personal responsibility can also arise.
As Hebrews 4:12 teaches, God’s living Word rightly diagnoses heart issues and idolatry behind sinful coping mechanisms. Psychology used uncritically can feed harmful perspectives. So while we need not reject all secular psychology, we should carefully filter it through biblical truth.
4. The priority of heart change
Lasting change must engage the heart, which only God can truly transform. Techniques alone cannot renew our minds or sanctify our motives, desires, and thoughts. 1 Samuel 16:7 states that “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Any counseling approach must humbly seek God’s Spirit to illuminate and reshape our inner being.
As Romans 12:2 instructs, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. And according to Hebrews 4:12, God’s Word powerfully pierces to the depths of our inner being in ways secular psychology cannot. Our view of therapy should appreciate psychological help yet recognize that only Scripture thoroughly equips us for radical heart change.
5. The danger of overspiritualizing mental illness
Mental illness includes medical conditions affecting mood, thinking, and behavior. Christians must avoid overspiritualizing chemical imbalances or neurological disorders as merely spiritual problems or personal sin. Mental illness often has physiological components requiring medical care, therapy, or medication.
Scriptures like Psalm 139:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19, and Matthew 9:12 affirm the value of medical treatment. While mental illness can sometimes stem from or worsen due to spiritual factors, we should avoid simplistic assumptions. Biblical counsel should compassionately acknowledge biological aspects where present.
6. The importance of soul care
Psychotherapy is limited in its ability to address core spiritual needs. While counseling can be helpful, our greatest source of soul healing is found in God Himself. Psalm 62:1 declares, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” Through His Word, Spirit, and body, God provides the soul-care we most require.
As Hebrews 3:13 states, we need the regular exhortation and encouragement of biblical community to persevere and resist sin. God uses wise, grace-filled relationships to shape our hearts in ways counseling cannot replace. Yet skilled counseling can aid this spiritual growth process when done in submission to God’s Word.
7. The priority of the local church
God designed the church to be the primary place where people find help for life’s challenges. The body of Christ plays an irreplaceable role in counseling and soul care ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27; Galatians 6:2). While para-church ministries can supplement, counseling is ideally done within, and with the support of, a local church context.
Biblical counseling, care groups, recovery ministries, discipleship relationships, and other church-based soul care should be part of every Christian’s involvement. Professional therapy, if pursued, should be done in harmony with one’s local church and should not substitute for the ordinary means of grace God provides there.
8. The sufficiency of Scripture
God’s Word has profound relevance to counseling needs, far more than many Christians realize. The Bible and treatment based soundly on Scripture are “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Scripture offers penetrating insight into human nature, relationships, ethics, motives, spiritual life, and more. The resources God provides in His Word and Spirit are sufficient for counseling needs when diligently and wisely applied. Psychology can provide added understanding but should be considered supplemental to thoroughly biblical care.
9. The role of prayer and Scripture
According to James 5:16, we should confess sins to each other and pray for one another so that we may be healed. Bringing struggles, wounds, doubts, and choices to the Lord in prayer is a key part of biblical counseling.
Meditating on Scripture passages that speak to emotional and spiritual needs is also vital for heart change. God uses His Word and prayer to bring repentance, renews minds, build wisdom, and comfort souls (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16). Biblical counseling wisely incorporates these spiritual resources.
10. The lordship of Christ
As Colossians 1:15-20 reminds us, Christ is Lord over every realm, including our inner life and relationships. Any truly Christian approach to counseling will help people acknowledge Jesus’ authority over sin, suffering, choices, thoughts, and feelings. Our deepest hope and healing are found in aligning every area of life under Christ’s compassionate, renewing lordship.
Psychotherapy can be wisely engaged, but used in balance with God’s ordinary means of spiritual growth. With discernment and prayer, counseling techniques and biblical truth can be combined constructively. As Christians, our aim should be counseling and soul care which draw people closer to the abundant life only found under the loving lordship of Jesus.