Divorce is at an all time high in our American culture today, and in fact, divorce is even a fraction of a percentage higher within marriages where the two people claim to be Christians. What’s going on? I believe at the root of this problem is the theological double-talk that flows from the mouths of preachers in our land on the issue of divorce and remarriage. The “relaxed church” has an aversion to the preaching of absolutes of the Bible on many sin issues and especially on the sin of divorce and remarriage. In fact, Christians within those “relaxed churches,” it is just as Paul wrote to Timothy, “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (1 Timothy 4:3-4) I want to dispel a fable about what the Early Church believed about divorce and remarriage.

For the first five centuries the Church of Jesus Christ virtually spoke with a unified voice on the issue of divorce and remarriage. Marriage was a permanent bond broken only by death (Mark 10:6-12, Romans 7:2). However, there are those today who are skeptical and say surely the early Church leaders must have allowed for exceptions, citing Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9. I do have an answer for the skeptics. George Wenham wrote in his scholarly article, The Biblical Way of Marriage and Divorce, #3, “Careful research through the hundreds of manuscripts by church leaders of the first five centuries has revealed that with only one exception (Ambrosiaster, a fourth-century Latin writer), the Church Fathers were unanimous in their understanding that Christ and Paul taught that if one were to suffer the misfortune of divorce, remarriage was not permitted, regardless of the cause.” (Third Way (London), November 17, 1977).

The early Church pastors said that it was clear from the words of Christ that even if divorce occurred, there was clearly no room for remarriage for Matthew 19:9 says, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

It should be noted that this is the only reasonable view in light of the disciples response in verse 10 – “His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.”

The position of the early Fathers is clear: God intended marriage to be a permanent bond. If divorce does occur, the Lord forbade remarriage even when immorality was involved! There are only two biblical alternatives for one who is divorced. First, either remain unmarried or, second be reconciled to your spouse. This is supported by 1 Corinthians 7:11 “But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.”

Historically, there is no doubt that this was the standard view of the Christian Church until the 16^th century. I believe it is time forsake the theological double talk and compromise of the “relaxed church” and get back to teaching what the Early Church taught about divorce and remarriage, for, I believe that is what Christ and Paul taught. There can be no doubt that God hates divorce for we read that clearly in Malachi 2:13-16 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce]: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”

If divorce occurs, do not add sin to sin by remarrying, but rather remain unmarried or else be reconciled to your spouse.

 

• Be A Willing, Careful Listener

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19

• Dont Interrupt The Person Who Is Speaking To You — Hear Them Out

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13

• Think Before You Speak

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Proverbs 15:28

Proverbs 29:11 “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”

Proverbs 29:20 “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

• How You Say Something Is Just As Important As What You Say

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

• Timing Is Important: There Is A Time To Keep Silent & A Time To Speak

“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” Ecclesiastes 3:7

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23

• Speak The Truth

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

• Speak The Truth In Love

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

“How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” Job 19:2

• What You Say Must Be Sound, Accurate, & Untainted

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Psalms 34:13

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” 1 Peter 3:10

“Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:8

• Avoid Using Filthy Language, & Language Laced With Innuendos

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ephesians 5:4

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” Colossians 3:8

• Do Not Quarrel or Nag

“A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” Proverbs 27:15

“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” Proverbs 17:14

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” Proverbs 20:3

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

• Dont Get Angry Or Respond In Anger, Keep Cool & Be Gentle

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Proverbs 14:29

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Proverbs 25:15

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

• When Verbally Attacked, Criticized or Blamed, Do Not Respond In The Same Manner

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Romans 12:17

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

• When You Are Wrong, Admit It & Ask Forgiveness — Do Not Try To Shift The Blame

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another” James 5:16

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight” Luke 15:21

“And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:11-13

• When You For Forgiveness, Forgive And Then Dont Bring It Up Again In The Future

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

• Make Every Effort To Understand The Other Persons Point Of View, & In Love Make Allowances For Differences of Opinion

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” Ephesians 4:2

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

We are living in an increasingly reprobate culture and one of the key characteristics that a culture is reprobate is the proliferation or increase of people who refuse to forgive. Testimony of this truth is found in Romans 1:28-32. The key word I point you to is implacable found in verse 31. This is a translation of the Greek aspondos (as’-pon-dos; 786) which means, as noted in the defined King James Bible one who is unappeasable, irreconcilable and or relentless. The word describes someone who refuses to lay aside enmity or consider terms of reconciliation. Hence it is describing someone who will not forgive! Refusing to reconcile, refusing to forgive, refusing to lay aside bad feeling is a mark of reprobation. The New Testament directs believers to forgive! Why? Because Christ has forgiven us! Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” I remind you that Christ himself practiced what is preached in the New Testament (Luke 23:24) as did the first New Testament martyr, Stephen (Acts 7:59-60). Therefore, we must follow their examples and not surrender to the spirit of the age. In light of this, I want to examine the Bibles teaching on forgiveness.

• Forgiveness Defined

FORGIVENESS is, choosing to pardon, remit, or overlook the mistake, fault, offense, hurt or injury of the offender without demanding, a penalty, punishment or retribution.

• The Cost of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is “never free,” though it can and should be freely given to others. Let me explain. When a person is forgiven, the one who extends the forgiveness chooses to accept the pain of the offense and foregoes the right of retribution or retaliation. The one doing the forgiving PAYS the price. He or she endures the hurt and suffers the sorrow in order to forgive you.

Paying the price for forgiveness can best be illustrated by the forgiveness God extends to us in Christ. The blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross pays the payment for your sins. Since Christ paid the price for our sins, God does not demand that the punishment we deserve be carried out, if Christ is our Savior. The work of Christ on the cross is sufficient for the Father to forgive all our sins. Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; God the Father forgives us in Christ. In light of that, He expects us to forgive others. When you choose to forgive others, you will discover the cost is worth it. You receive from God the strength to carry out the actual forgiving. The love of God brings healing into your life, renewed relationships, and release from bitterness and bad feelings. Some other wonderful things happen, you identify with the character of God and are better able to understand the sacrificial act of forgiveness. There is new freedom released in forgiveness. The bonds of unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, resentment and depression are broken.

The dividends of forgiveness far out weigh the cost you pay to forgive.

Understanding What Is Included In Forgiveness

• Forgiveness includes the removal of guilt or fault.

Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgression unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

The Hebrew word translated “iniquity” means evil, guilt, crime, or fault. Now, consider what David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was saying in that verse. God forgave him the “evil, guilt or fault” of his sin. In other words the portion of the episode that violated God’s standard of holiness is pardoned, removed, forgiven. You are declared NOT GUILTY because of Christ’s payment and God’s mercy & grace.

So what is the application? When you forgive someone, you pardon their evil, crime, or fault. You let them off the hook. You treat them as if they were not guilty. You follow God’s example and extend them undeserved grace and mercy. You are saying, “I choose to release you from guilt. I do not hold you guilty.”

• Forgiveness includes the commitment never to use it against the person in the future.

Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

The word “remember” (3415) is a translation of a Greek word (mnestho) which is in the emphatic, future negative tense in the Greek. That means you could actually say, “…their iniquities I will NEVER, EVER remember again! This idea is seen over and over again in the Scriptures in passages such as Isaiah 44:22, Micah 7:19, Hebrews 10:17.

But that does NOT mean that our all knowing God is suffering from amnesia. Dr. Clark Martin points out that, “Once the guilt is gone…in God’s eyes the event is no longer sin.” God will never use the believer’s sins against him in the future. Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Verse 33 & 34 says, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” John 3:18 says “He that believeth on him is not condemned…” Read John 5:24 “…He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death into life.”

I’m glad I am saved because God will never use my sins against me in the future. He has forgiven me. I will never be condemned. That is true for every born-again believer here this morning. BUT, if Christ is not your Savior, you will have to pay for your sins. That payment is separation for God for eternity in Hell. Wouldn’t you rather receive Christ as your Savior and have your sins forgiven?

So how can we apply this to our own lives? It is humanly impossible to wipe a major offense from your mind. But when you do forgive someone you can make a commitment not to use their offence against them in the future. Further, you won’t talk to others about the person’s offence to put him in a bad light. That is what 1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

• Forgiveness includes a commitment not to dwell on the offense yourself

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

When the Lord forgives us, he does not relive the hurt we caused Him when we sinned against Him. That is gone. That is good advice to those of us who forgive others also. Refuse to allow your mind to “relive” the hurt of the offense. If you catch yourself reliving the hurt, remind yourself that you have forgiven that person and pray that the Lord will forgive, bless and bring the offender to Salvation or restoration.

What Forgiveness Does Not Include

• Forgiveness does not include waiting for the offender to ask for forgiveness BEFORE you forgive.

Someone said, “Forgiveness begins in the inner person as he chooses to forgive before the offender repents.” That’s true! You could call this the attitude of forgiveness. God has this attitude and Romans 5:8 shows it. “But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God has already made forgiveness available to us in Christ. It is not his desire that any die and go to Hell (2 Peter 4:8). It is his desire that we see our need for forgiveness and come to Christ.

By the same token, we should forgive those who have offended us. Not because they deserve it, but because of the example God has given us and for Christ’s sake.

Forgiving someone in your heart prevents bitterness and resentment from building up and keeps us from sinning. Forgiveness enables you to be open and pray for the person who has offended you, so that if his/her heart is convicted and they come to you and confess and ask for forgiveness you can say “I forgive you” and mean it. Yet, while it is important to forgive others in your heart, it is not wise to say to someone — “I forgive you for hurting me” if they do not ask your forgiveness. This could encourage a repeat of wrong behavior. Though you must forgiven an in your heart, that forgiveness is not complete until they do their part and ask your forgiveness.

• Forgiveness does not prevent you from confronting the offender in love (not vengeance or retaliation but for restoration).

Luke 17:3-4 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

Is there any recourse if there is no repentance? Yes, Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 13:1-4

• Forgiveness does not negate the inherent consequences of sin.

It is true that when God forgives, he takes away the guilt and the eternal condemnation caused by our sins. Yet, often we are faced with the natural consequences of our sins for weeks, months, years or the rest of our lives!

The reason for this is that God has established laws by which he governs his creation. There is the law of gravity. What goes up, must come down. Suppose you were up in the hay loft and decided you needed to get down quickly and you jumped. As you did it, you realized it was higher than you thought, so you quickly prayed, “God, forgive me for breaking the law of gravity.” You would still hit the ground.

The law of sowing and reaping is like that. Galatians 6:7-8 expresses this law pretty well. If you sin, you can expect consequences, even if you ask forgiveness.

You might say, “Man, I’ve sown a lot of bad seed. I’m saved! I won’t be going to Hell. I’ve been released from guilt. Thank God for those blessings! But is there anything I can do about the bad seed I’ve planted?

Yes! You can pray for strength and wisdom. God can see you through the consequences and work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

In conclusion, Christ must be your Savior if you are to experience God’s forgiveness. Then, as a believer you must know what forgiveness is and practice forgiving others.

Practicing forgiveness each day will keep bitterness away (Hebrews 12:15).

Colossians 3:12-14 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Introduction

The cure for the sinful soul and the problems of life was the vital ministry of the church, using the Word of God, for more than 1900 years.

The early Church faced and ministered to mental-emotional behavioral problems that were as complex as the ones that exist today. If anything, the conditions were more difficult than those we face today. The early church suffered persecution, poverty, and various afflictions which are foreign to most of twentieth-century Christians (especially in the West). The catacombs of Rome are a testimony to the extent of the problems faced by the early Church.1

But, as in every generation, there are those who do not want to submit to the Word of God. Freud and Jung were two such individuals from their generation. They boldly rejected the authority of the Word of God. But did not stop there. They developed a theory that claimed offered an alternative solution for the sin problem and the problems of life. It was called it psychology. Freud and Jung believed that they had found a means through which the soul of man could be perfected without having to repent of sin and submit to God. Man didn’t need Jesus as his Savior, he could be his own Savior.

From this root psychology has grown by leaps and bounds with more than 250 separate systems of psychotherapy. But is even more mind boggling is that the Christian church has been duped into buying into this human wisdom. There are many Christians that have been convinced that the difficult problems of life need more than Word of God and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. But, the Bible assures us, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:3 and “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.. because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3.  

Non-believers can only attain spiritual life and health by surrender to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That is the direction the church should be pointing them. Psychological techniques, even in the name of Jesus, cannot produce spiritual life. It’s time we get back to the Bible!2 

The church must minister under unction of the Holy Spirit–not according to man’s wisdom. The problem is, that many churches and Christians have been spoiled by the humanly devised philosophy of psychology.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

• Let’s Look At Some Of The Words.

The key word in this verse is spoil. When we hear the word, we think it means “to become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay.” But that is not the meaning of the word in the New Testament context. The word spoil is translated from the Greek word sulagogeo, (soo-lag-ogue-eh’-o — Strongs #4812) which means “to carry off as a captive and a slave.” Zodhiates says in The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament that the word means “to carry away. To lead off as prey…rob, or kidnap. Figuratively, (used) of the destructive effects of false teachers who rob believers of the complete riches available in Christ and revealed in the gospel.

Philosophy (5385)– The Greek word philosophia (fil-os-of-ee’-ah) actually means a friend to wisdom or love of wisdom. The word came to mean the doctrines, beliefs, ideologies of the unsaved and Gentile philosophers.

Vain (2756) means hollow, empty, meaningless.

Deceit (539) means anything that is deceptive.

Tradition (3862)– An ideology, belief, doctrine or instruction communicated from one to another. In this verse the ideologies are those developed by men.

Rudiments (4747) — Rudiments means principles or basics. In this context these principles are from the world of mankind.

Now, when I put it all together I believe Paul was sounding this warning…

Watch out! You will encounter numerous people promoting deceptive, empty man made ideas that sound good but are based on the world’s wisdom and not God’s wisdom. If you are not discerning you will be brainwashed and be led away from the sufficiency that is in Christ.

Note the next two verses. Colossians 2:9-10 — For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Though there are many philosophies that have wormed their way into Bible believing Churches, organizations and the thinking of Christians, none has undermined the Word of God and the sufficiency of Christ like psychology.

Three Forces That Led To Psychology Replacing The Scripture In Offering Answers To The Problems Of Life

What were the forces or roots that led to psychology replacing the scripture in offering answers to the problems of life? There are three forces or roots that we need to consider.

1. The Theology of Aquinas
2. The Philosophy of Empiricism
3. The Theory of Evolution

• THE FIRST FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY

The Theology of Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is considered by many people to be the outstanding theologian of his day but you will remember that it is “the little foxes, that spoil the vines…” Song of Songs 2:15. Or to put it another way, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9. His theology was tainted by the wisdom of the world which is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19). There are at least three ways in which Aquinas’ theology was corrupted.

First, he did not believe in the total depravity of man. When I refer to the “total depravity of man” I mean that man is wholly a sinner. Sin has touched every aspect of man — his body, mind-intellect, emotions, will or volition (Romans 3:10-20).

When Aquinas studied the fall of Adam and Eve, he concluded that though man’s will was damaged by sin, he concluded that man’s intellect was undamaged by sin. Therefore, Aquinas taught “that man, out of his own resources, could search for, find, and classify truth.“3 Simply stated, Aquinas felt that man’s wisdom could be trusted. I can almost hear the hiss of the serpent. Too bad he did not look a few chapters further than the account of the fall of our first parents and he would have been able to see that sin did indeed damage man intellect! Genesis 6:5-6 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. The plain fact is, man’s wisdom apart from God is at best vain. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Let no man deceive himself If any man among yo seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (see also James 3:15-17). The lie that man is not totally depraved but can trust his intellect is one part of the leaven that lead to the belief that mankind can find truth within himself

The second way in which the theology of Aquinas was corrupted was by his study of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle lived between 384-322 B.C.. He was a pupil of Plato, the tutor of Alexander the Great, and the author of works on logic, metaphysics, ethics, natural sciences, politics, and poetics, he profoundly influenced Western thought. In Aristotle’s philosophical system truth is discovered by empirical observation and logic, based on the syllogism (sound reasoning). This method of inquiry leaves God out. Aquinas became an Aristotelian Thinker when he should have become a BIBLICAL THINKER. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Thirdly, Aquinas mixed the humanistic philosophy of Aristotle with the truth of the Bible. “Aquinas did not differentiate between what the Bible taught about life, truth, and the answers to man’s problems and what Aristotle taught”4 though there is a vast difference! One is based on man’s wisdom and one is based on God’s wisdom. As a result, Aquinas syncretized the Bible and the godless philosophy of Aristotle.

Syncretism Defined — n. 1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous. Therefore you end up with a new belief that is neither one nor the other previous beliefs.

• THE SECOND FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY

The Philosophy of Empiricism

If you go back to the beginning of empiricism, back to Greco-Roman times, those who followed this philosophy were skeptical of all theoretical explanations unless these theories could be verified by the human senses. By the 1800s this popularly held philosophy asserted that man could only know truth by the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. All else was a product of the imagination. The most important statement of this theory was made by John Locke (1632-1704). He claimed that all knowledge comes from sense experience. You might wonder, what’s wrong with that? Empiricism does away with the spiritual nature of man, as well as the existence of God. Man becomes only a material being. Empiricism leads to complete skepticism when it comes to God and the spiritual nature of man.

• THE FINAL FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY IS —

The Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin published Origin of Species in 1859. Darwin theorized that man evolved from lower animals. The degeneration was now complete. Aquinas undermined the Bible’s teaching on sin. Empiricism took away with man’s soul and Evolution made man just another animal. God was now, for all practical purposes, out of the picture. Man was ready for psychology.

THE FOUR MAINSTREAMS OF PSYCHOLOGY

1. Psychoanalytic — Sigmund Freud & Carl Jung
2. Behavioristic — B. F. Skinner
3. Humanistic — Carl Rogers
4. Existential or Transpersonal — Abraham Maslow

Let’s take a look at each of these psychological models —

• PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOLOGY

Very Few people realize that Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was in-volved in the occult. He was a member of the Society of Psychical Re-search London and the Ameri-can Society for Psychical Re-search in New York City. Freud had experiences with clairaudience (the supposed power to hear things outside the range of normal perception), telepathy (communication through means other than the senses, as by the exercise of an occult power), dreams of premonition as well as hearing voices (Harpers’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experiences by Rosemary Guiley). Further, he rejected the truth that man was a sinner and that sin was at the root of man’s problems. As a result of that, he developed his own theory called the psychoanalytic theory. He said that man’s problems stem from repressed desires. He supposed that the unconscious was a vast reservoir of forgotten experiences and repressed desires primarily sexual in nature. In light of this people are not really responsible for their actions. Those who follow Freud say that the only way to resolve our problems is to go on an archaeological dig into your subconscious mind and see what you can dredge up from the reservoir of your unconsciousness. How did Freud attempt to get the repressed information to the surface? First, by hypnotism. “As a young physician, Freud had observed that hysterical patients seemed to lose their symptoms after being under hypnosis and recalling material which, apparently had been completely forgotten. From this, he developed the concept of an unconscious which dominates the activities of a person, and is motivated by forgotten experiences, forgotten by means of repression, and kept submerged by means of resistance”5

Secondly, Freud developed a technique called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is based on the assumption that various disorders of the mind are the result of the rejection by the conscious mind of factors that persist in the unconscious (repressed memories) and therefore cause internal conflict. By using dream analysis and free association he claimed these conflicts could be resolved. The natural question is, what is dream analysis? Freud’s theory was that “dreams are the expression of unconscious thoughts which are repressed when a person is fully awake.”6 Therefore he concluded that he could analyze these dreams and get information about the unconscious motivations of the individual.

What about free association? Free association is “the technique of having the patient talk as freely as possible bringing in whatever ideas, memories, etc. are associated in his mind.”7 The counselor then analyzes what has been said and uses the information to “uncover” and “clarifies” repressed memories. I see major problems, don’t you? The counselor is the final authority and interpretations would be evaluated on the basis of the counselor’s value system.

 Now, someone is going to say, “No one uses Freudian psychology today.” Oh yes they do! A middle age single woman I have known for a number of years was having trouble with tension and sleeping. She sought out professional help. After an hour session of “free association” the conclusion of this “professional” was that she had a build up of sexual tension. She was shocked when he suggested, “the best thing that you could do would be to go out and get laid” She was incensed that she had to pay for this psychological advice! Freudian psychology is still around!

 This song by Anna Russel characterizes the influence of Freudian psychology in America

I went to my psychiatrist to be psychoanalyzed
To find out why I killed the cat and blackened my wife’s eyes.
He put me on a downy couch to see what he could find,
And this is what he dredged up from my subconscious mind:
When I was one, my mommy hid my dolly in the trunk,
And so it follows naturally that I am always drunk.
When I was two I saw my father kiss the maid one day,
And that is why I suffer now from kleptomania.
When I was three, I suffered from ambivalence toward my brothers,
So it follows naturally, I poison all my lovers.
I’m so glad that I have learned the lesson it has taught,
That everything I do that’s wrong is someone else’s fault!

The Bible is clear. We are responsible for our own actions and we will all give account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12). There will be no passing the buck when the sinner stands before God.

Before I move on, I want to introduce you to Carl Jung (1875-1961). Jung broke with Freud over sexual repression being the primary root of our problems but still believed the un-conscious being the root of our problems. But Jung was a Christ rejecter. At an early age “he renounced the austere and formal Protestant Christianity in which he was raised.”8 He instead exposed himself to seances and persistent poltergeist activity. “He had his first psychic vision at the age of three.”9 And He also affirmed “the reality of spirits and spiritualism, on the evidence of telekinesis, messages of dying people, hypnotism, clairvoyance… and prophetic dreams.”10

Now, fasten your seat belt, because Carl Jung gave a startling revelation near the end of his life. He candidly admitted that, “far from being the science he had represented them to be, everything (‘all my works, all my creative activity’) derived from horrendous experiences with haunting spirit entities that nearly drove him insane. It was during this time that ‘Philemon’ became his ‘spirit guide.'”11 Jung was involved in Gnosticism, Alchemy, Astrology, I Ching, Mystical Systems, Spiritualism & Folklore. His grandfather was a Rosicrucian.

Summary — The Psychoanalytic Theory of Psychology teaches that 1) Man is a biological machine or biologic-psychic determinism. Man is merely a product of genetics and his environment. He is driven by forces in his subconscious mind that he can neither understand nor control, such as sexual repression and the repression and hindering of free expression. Only by psychoanalysis can these things be uncovered and dealt with so the individual can have freedom and peace. 2) As just mentioned, the key to freedom and peace is uncovering repressed memories. This is done by hypnotism and psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a combination of dream analysis and free association techniques. 3) The psychoanalytic view of right and wrong is, right and wrong are only what you determine them to be.

It should be obvious that this psychological model is in conflict with the Bible and MUST be rejected. The Bible says, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9

• BEHAVIORISTIC PSYCHOLOGY

Let’s move on to the second psychological theory. This theory is called the Behavior-istic theory. It was developed by B. F. Skinner (1904-1990). Skinner looked at man from an evolutionary point of view. Man was just an animal. The way to solve man’s problems was by behavioral modification, a system of rewards and punishment. This would enable man to better fit into the social order designed by the intellectually elite.

Summary of the theory Behavioristic Psychology — Man is just a soulless animal who has no free will and no guarantee of meaning or happiness in life. As an animal, behavioral modification is what is needed to solve the problems of life. When his behavior is modified man will be enabled to better fit into the orderly society by the intellectually elite.

The problems of life are solved by behavior modification so the person can fall into lock-step with the “politically correct” norm. Their view of right and wrong is — Right and wrong are determined by the intellectually elite.

The fact is, we are not animals and we are not the product of evolution! The Bible says in Genesis 1:27 “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

• HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY

The third theory was developed by Carl Rogers (1902-1987) and is called the Humanistic Theory of Psychology. In this view, problems stem from our conscience and guilt. These two things need to be done away with because they are holding back our freedom, creativity and joy. What we need to do is love ourselves and accept ourselves because self-love & self-acceptance is the key to solving our problems.

Summary of the Humanistic Theory of Psychology — Man is good and has unlimited potential! Yet, people are not responsible for what they are, but they have a free will and can choose to change. The problems that man have stem from conscience and guilt. These two must be done away with because they us back from freedom, creativity and joy. What we need is non-judgmental self-acceptance. Further we must realize that the answers to all our problems lies within ourselves. The key to problem solving in this model is self-acceptance. Self is elevated to godhood, because you have all the answers to your problems within yourself. Further, there is no right and wrong in this psychological model. What is right for you is right and what is wrong for you is wrong. But why did Rogers adopt such a anti-biblical view? While he was in seminary studying for the ministry he rebelled God, renounced the Bible and his conservative Protestant upbringing. He rejected the biblical view of man and offered his second-rate substitute. 1 Samuel 15:23 says, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…” so it is little wonder that later in his life, when he came face to face with eternity that he took to attending seances and looked to the Ouija board for answers about the hereafter.

Our greatest need is not to love ourselves and accept ourselves, our greatest need it to be right with God, get saved and live for him. It is far more important that God accepts us than to spend our time learning how better to accept ourselves.

Note Matthew 16:24 — Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

• EXISTENTIAL/TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Finally we come to the last major psychological theory developed by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970). This view is called Existential or Transpersonal Psychology.  

In Maslow’s view there were no absolutes. You determine your own reality. The answer to your problems is Self-Actualization, discovering that you are “god.” You just need to accept that fact and live accordingly. American Health magazine sums this view up quite well when it said, “There’s a new breed of shrinks in the land. But instead of couches and Rorschach tests, their accouterments are tarot cards and astrological charts… [These are] the shrinks of the yuppie generation… belief in the occult is stronger than ever.”12

Summary of the Existential Theory of Psychology — Man is a spiritual being, capable of making his own reality. The answer to our problems is self-actualization, that is, we need to discover the “god” within ourselves. The cure for our problems comes form mystical practices, occult meditation, and many other practices associated with Easter Religions. Once you realize that your are god and accept that fact, you will have fulfillment. In this view, your determine right and wrong. There are no absolutes.

Why do people go to psychologists and psychiatrists and does it help?

 The truth is, most people go to psychologists and psychiatrists looking for help with the problems of life. “Research psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey found that about 5% of those who come to a psychiatrist are people with organic brain disease while about 75% are people with problems of living. 20% will require closer examination to make a final judgment to determine which category they fit into. Torrey continues that at least 75% of those who come to a psychiatrist do not need treatment but actually need to be educated in how to live.^{“ 13}

Frankly, I would estimate that by the time the remaining 20% of the cases are examined that at least 15% would fit in to the “need to be educated in how to live” category, bringing the total to 90%. This study shows that most people are looking in the wrong place for help. The Bible has the answers for life’s problems. Therefore, they need to look to the Bible and a biblical counselor for help.

Now, is psychology helping the people who seek out its advice? Research shows that psychology is not doing such a good job at resolving the problems of life. The Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health did a survey and this is what they found — “of those persons who actively sought help for personal problems, the vast majority contacted persons other than mental health professionals, and generally they were more satisfied with the help they received than were those who chose psychiatrists and psychologists.”14

Oil and water don’t mix. Holy and unholy don’t mix. Psychology and the Bible don’t mix. Psychology in being offered and accepted as the answer to the problems of life in the censers of many Bible believing churches across our land and the Lord is grieved. We must get back to the Bible for our answers. Likely, there will be some who don’t want to hear what I have just shared with you. Consider Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Friends, psychology is a humanly devised fable and should be rejected! 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Today, the Bible is being replaced by psychology as the standard for dealing with the problems of life. Many pastors are giving their people a steady diet of psycho-babel from the pulpit and in their counseling. In fact the most listened to theologian in America today is not a theologian at all. Dr. James Dobson is a psychologist. While I appreciate Dr. Dobson’s intervention on behalf of the family, there is a problem. He’s got a whole generation believing that the root of their problems in life is that they don’t love and accept themselves enough. That’s not what the Bible says (Eph. 5:29; Phil. 2:3; James 2:8). Our problem is that we love ourselves too much. Man’s greatest need is to be right with God, not to love ourselves and accept ourselves more. Offering psychological solutions for the problems of life is strange fire because that is not where we have been commanded to go! 

Where have we been commanded to go? To the Bible! Since God created us, He knows what makes us tick. God has provided us with reliable information on “how to live?” 2Peter 1:2-4 says, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

This passage simply says that God has provided all that we need to live a victorious, God-honoring life. As a person looks to God and the guidance given in His Word, then implements the principles that he finds there, he will change in the areas of thoughts, emotions and actions.. he will learn how to live. Why can I say that with authority? Turn to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed), and is profitable (a useful guide) for doctrine (what’s right) , for reproof (what’s not right), for correction (how to get right), for instruction (how to stay right) in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect (whole), thoroughly furnished (competent) unto all good works. Simply stated, the Bible tells us what’s right, what’s not right, how to get right and how to stay right. That is what people need today!

All four key streams of psychological theories are based on man’s wisdom, the wisdom from beneath which is in direct opposition to God’s wisdom. James 3:15-17 describes the two sources of wisdom. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife’ is, there is confusion and every evil work 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partialily, and without hypocrisy.

The Bible clearly points out what God thinks of this world’s wisdom — “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God..” 1 Corinthians 3:19

End Notes

1. Martin & Deidre Bobgin; Psychology — Science or Religion; p.3
2. Albert James Dager; Inner Healing — A Biblical Analysis; p.13
3. Nelson E. Hinman; An Answer To Humanistic Psychology; Harvest House Publishers
4. Ibid.
5. Franklin Dunham – Editor; The New Universal One-Volume Encyclopedia; p.637
6. Ibid.
7. Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language – 1968, p. 557
8. Hunt & McMahon; America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice; p.11
9. Ibid.
10. C. G. Jung; Psychology and The Occult; Princeton University Press – 1977; p.vii
11. Hunt & McMahon; America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice; p.11
12. Lise Spiegel; American Health Magazine – New Age Shrinks; p. 18
13. Joint Commission On Mental Health – Action for Mental Health; p. 103
14. Bergin & Lambert; Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change — The Evaluation of Therapeutic Outcomes; p. 149

INTRODUCTION

At the root of many of the problems we face today is the failure to develop an appropriate self-image. I believe that!

In order to be happy, well adjusted and capable of loving others and reaching out to others you must love, accept, forgive and feel good about yourself we are told by many in the Christian and secular community. I don’t believe that! Self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-concept and self-image are key topics in secular and Christian counseling today. If you doubt it, just start reading Christian authors on how to handle the problems of life. The fact is, if you assume the Rogerian prevarication (false-hood) is true, that you must love and accept yourself before you can love and accept others; that accepting yourself and forgiving yourself is a must for a happy, successful life, then you will respond to the problems of life is a way that will only compound those problems. So what is the answer? As with every area of life we must go to the Bible in order to get a biblical appraisal of ourselves.

A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

As a foundation, we need to understand that the Bible neither commands nor encourages self-love & self-acceptance but in fact restricts it. Turn to Luke 9:23-24 —  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. In fact, we are clearly told that perhaps the most conspicuous characteristic of the last days is self-love. 2 Timothy 3:1-2a emphatically states this fact —  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves… The humanistic doctrine of self-love is not of the Lord. If it is not of the Lord, what is the origin? I believe 1 Timothy 4:1 gives us the answer —  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Some Christians are startled when I ascribe today’s teachings on self-image with demons. Why, because so many of us have bought into the counterfeit. I did!

A BIBLICAL VIEW OF SELF

What should the Christians “self-image” be? Paul told the believers at Rome that they should not think to highly of themselves. He wrote, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:1-3

I was listening to one of the major AM stations this week and one of the commercials was for Dr. Wayne Dyers new book YOUR SACRED SELF. I could tell from the commercial that the book presents man as a proud, self-sufficient, even divine being. Sadly, if the past is any indicator, this New Age author’s book will be sold in many “Christian” bookstores. Christians will buy it, read it, believe it and think of themselves too highly. In fact, there are many people, even Christians, who pump up their self-image using PMA (positive mental attitude), positive self-talk and visualization rather then encouraging themselves in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). God takes a dim view of pride. James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Nebuchadnezzar found out what can happen to those who think too highly of themselves. Daniel 4:30-31  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

• We are to have a humble appraisal of ourselves.

Just as Christians should not think of themselves too highly, neither should they hold too low of an estimation of themselves. When you get through the facade, people who take this route are usually discontented with themselves. Further, I often find that they are bitter at others or angry with God because of the circumstance they are in, what they don’t have or the way God made them. If that is the case, they are sinning.

I can identify with those who struggle with this. When I was a teenager I had bad acme. I had what was called cystic acme. My face and back are scarred because of it. Though I loved sports, especially basketball, I dreaded playing it in gym class because we played shirts and skins. And guess what? It never failed, I’d end up on the skins team and the kids would tease me about my acme. That was bad enough, but what really hurt was what my grandmother said to me one day in front of the rest of the family. She told me I should go to the chicken coup and pick the white off the chicken feces and put it on my pimples. Talk about a blow to my self-image! At first I was angry, perhaps even bitter. Not to mention being self-conscious. But, after a while I decided, there was nothing more I could do about the problem. I had prayed, I was eating right, seeing the skin doctor every other week and taking my medication. It was not working! Matthew 6:27 comes to mind — Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? I could not change my skin problems any more than a short man can add 18 inches to his height. I decided I had a choice to make. Either I could pull into my shell, worry about the problem, resent the Lord for making me this way, adopt a rebellious attitude and hate everyone who said anything. Or, I could get on with my life. By God’s grace, Philippians 4:11b was the way I chose. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Do you want to know something? I was much happier when I decided to make the best of it. After sitting out two basketball seasons because I was worried what others would think, I went out for the team and made it. Now, nothing changed as far as my acme was concerned. What changed was my attitude and my focus. When that changed and I quit loving myself so much I could overlook the cruel things others said and go on with life, using the gifts and talents the Lord gave. I found that if you do what you are capable of doing, what God expects you to do you feel good. But, if you are sinning through bitterness, self-pity, anger, envy, etc. sinful behavior produces bad feelings, even bad feelings about yourself. Friends, the solution is to confess the wrong behavior as sin and replace it with right behavior. Then the joy will be restored (Psalm 51).

Though we will look at a “bad self-image” more in depth next, I am convinced that a bad self-image stems from bad feelings a person experiences when God convicts him of sins such as self-pity, self-centeredness, self-focus and self-indulgence and he refuses to repent, and do what he knows the Bible says he should do. On the other hand a “good self-image” (feeling good about yourself) comes when you do what God instructs you to do whether you feel like it or not. John 13:17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Obedience is the key to living a happy, well-adjusted life, not loving your self.

Let me to add a P.S. to this message. There are multiplied thousands of people around the world and perhaps right here who feel pretty good about themselves and yet they are unsaved. Allow me to purposefully deliver a blow to your self-esteem by getting you to see yourself from God’s vantage point. Turn with me to Ephesians 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Without Christ you are without hope and that’s a fact! A meaningful life is only possible for those who have Christ as Savior. True purpose and meaning in life only come to those who are committed to Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31  lays it on the line — But (because) of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption- 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

ONE KEY CAUSE OF SELF-IMAGE PROBLEMS

Before we consider this, it is important to remember the following

1.  The Bible neither commands nor encourages self-love & self-acceptance but in fact restricts it — Luke 9:23-24

2.  The Biblical view of self teaches that Christians should neither think too highly of themselves nor to lowly of themselves — Romans 12:3

3.  A positive self-image can be deceiving because it neither saves a person nor makes him right with God. An unsaved person with a “good self-image” will go to Hell. — Ephesians 2:12

• Primary Root of An Incorrect Self-Image

Why do people form unbiblical attitudes (unbiblical self-image) about themselves? That is the issue that we will consider in this message.

The earliest root revealed in the Bible of an incorrect or unbiblical self-image is dissatisfaction with God (Gen. 3:1-7). Before we turn to that passage I want to lay the foundation by reminding you that the Devil has it out for all mankind. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Satan hates all people because we were created in the image of God (Gen.1:27; 9:6). God created us to have fellowship with Him, worship Him and serve Him (1 John 1:3; Psa. 96:9; Deut. 10:12). Satan resents that. His goal is to usurp God’s position and God’s authority (Isa. 14:12-15). He wants to be worshipped. He wants to be served. One way Satan accomplishes his diabolical goal is to stir up dissatisfaction with God in peoples minds. This started way back in Eden with Adam, Eve & the Serpent (Devil).

As you are turning to Genesis 3:1-7, I want to read Revelation 12:9 to you. There are some who have called into question whether the serpent of Eden was Satan. In this verse we see the various name that Lucifer, the fallen angel, goes by —  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Now, back to Eden. Remember our focus. As I stated previously, the earliest root of an incorrect or unbiblical self-image was dissatisfaction with God. Here’s why I said that. Eve became dissatisfied with God when she listened to the Serpent (Satan). He convinced her that God had cheated her out of something that was rightfully hers. Let’s read the account. Once she became dissatisfied with God, she rebelled against God’s authority and established herself as the authority and chose her will instead of God’s will. We all know what happened. Adam followed her lead and the whole human race was plunged into sin. Specifically, Adam and Eve thought more highly of themselves than they ought to have. They made themselves equal with God when they rejected His revealed will and chose their own will.

• Other areas of dissatisfaction with God

Many people develop an unbiblical self-image because they are angry at God. They don’t like their appearance. They are dissatisfied with their abilities. They think surely God must have made a mistake when it came to the choice of the family they were born into and besides that, they despise the circumstances they find themselves in! The statement that sums up their attitude is — God, it’s all your fault!

When someone adopts this attitude do you see what has happened? They have adopted the worlds standard for determining worth. And how does the world determine worth? Think of that for a moment.

The standards by which our world determines worth are…

BEAUTY & BRAWN
BRAINS & ABILITY
MONEY & POSSESSIONS
POWER

If you are basing your self-worth on these things, likely you’ve got a pretty low self-image! You’re probably pretty ticked at God! But let me tell you something. If you ARE basing how you feel about yourself based on beauty, brawn, brains, abilities, money, possessions or power, you have been shopping at the Devil’s supermarket and you’ve bought and are eating rotten fruit! Have you ever bitten into a piece of rotten fruit? I have. It looked good on the outside but when I bit into it and got a mouthful, it is rotten inside. Do you know what I did? I spit out the mouthful and threw the rest in the garbage. The problem is that many people today are feeding on the Devils rotten fruit. They are dissatisfied with God because they feel God has cheated them in the area of beauty, brawn, brains, abilities, money, possessions or power. Listen friends, these things don’t mean anything in light of eternity!

Let me show you some things that can be very liberating.

• God does no have a universal ideal for outward looks. In fact, it is not outward looks that He is even concerned about? Let’s go to the scriptures.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Isaiah 53:2  For he (Jesus) shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he (Jesus) hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Proverbs 31:30  Favour (charm, sex appeal, popularity) is deceitful, and beauty is vain (empty, passing): but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

• God made us as He saw fit, according to His will, to accomplish His purposes!

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Psalms 119:73  Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Psalms 139:13, 14&16  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Isaiah 45:9   Woe unto him that striveth (quarrels, argues, complains) with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

God’s does have a universal inward ideal that he is concerned about and desires that we conform to.

Romans 8:29   For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Colossians 3:10   And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

• God has a purpose for whatever He does, our job is to serve & glorify Him.

Exodus 4:11-12  And the LORD said unto him (Moses), Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb (one who is unable to speak), or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in re- proaches, in necessities, in per-secutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Ephesians 2:10   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• It is not what other people think of you that matters.  It is not how you view yourself that really matters. It is the Lord’s approval that counts!

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by them-selves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. Simply stated, measuring yourself by the worlds standards is foolish

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

In conclusion, dissatisfaction with God is at the root of an unbiblical view of our self-worth. We must not evaluate our worth based upon the faulty standard of the world but upon God’s standard as found in the Bible. The facts is, that it is only God’s approval that counts!

Chapter 3 Problems: God’s Tools Of Transformation

Understand How God Uses Problems To Transform Us

“Several years back I came across some material that was invaluable in helping me understand how God uses problems in the lives of His Children as tools of transformation, transforming us to be Christ-like. The main points of the outline are not my own but taken from David A. Clemens notebook entitled Living — Volume 3 published by the Bible Club Movement.

THE NATURAL RESPONSE TO PROBLEMS

How do you view the problems that come your way? Too often we look at and our problems in a negative light. We respond to them naturally, from the perspective of the natural man. We look at the trials of life as enemies. We allow problems to upset us, frustrate us and make us angry. And that’s not all. The truth be known, we often grumbled and complained when problems come our way.  But, as a believer we must confess this as sin and realize that we must look at problems from a Biblical point of view and respond accordingly. Let me explain further.

THE GODLY RESPONSE TO PROBLEMS

God uses problems as TOOLS OF TRANSFORMATION, for good, to develop Christ-likeness in us. We should be thankful for that. Paul’s words apply — 1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. The Godly response to problems is thankfulness that God is using them to transform us into Christ-like people.

PROBLEMS: GOD’S TOOLS OF TRANSFORMATION

Job came to understand the purpose of the problems God was allowing in His life. We read in Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Likewise, Peter understood how God uses problems too. He tells us we can rejoice in problems because problems refine us and encourage us to get the sins out of our life so that when we meet the Lord face to face our lives will glorify, praise and honor Him — 1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

That brings me to the paramount scripture passage that confirms the conforming power of “all things,” even problems, that God allows to come into a believers life. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-29, “all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to his purposes. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

Since God does use all things, even problems to conform us to Christ-likeness we need to look at

The Third Principle of Biblical Problem Solving: Understanding How God Uses Problems To Conform Us To Christ-likeness 

HOW GOD USES PROBLEMS

GOD USES PROBLEMS TO…

Humble Us
Make Us Dependent On Him
Chasten & Instruct Us
To Develop Our Character
To Prepare Us To Help Others

Let’s consider each point individually.

• God uses problems to…HUMBLE US

One of the most devastating character traits that can mark an individual is PRIDE. In Proverbs 16:5 says, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.“

The attitude of pride curtails the believers usefulness for the cause of Christ. God wants to use us effectively. He wants us to be like Christ…humble (Phil. 2:1-8). To accomplish that end, He may use problems to humble us. That’s what he did with Israel. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led the these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee…“

Let me bring things down on the level we live. I have been asked numerous times throughout my years of ministry questions like, “If God really loves me, why doesn’t he take away this physical difficulty.” Or “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” Perhaps the answer is the same one Paul realized in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul needed to be humbled so he could be used by God. God knew something about Paul the even he did not know. That was, his emerging pride would keep him from being fully used by the Lord. So, the Lord allowed a some sort of ongoing physical problem in Paul’s life. But, God took care of the problem by providing the necessary grace to be able to bear the problem. Paul recognized he MUST rely on God for his strength. The truth is, “the thorn in the flesh” problem was the secret to Paul’s power because it kept his focus on the Lord! Problems may be used by God to humble us. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (I Pet. 5:5).

Finally, problem solving is hindered when pride is in the picture.  God calls for humility (meekness) on the part of those who are trying to resolve problems. Galatians 6:1-2  says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“

• God uses problems to…MAKE US DEPENDENT ON HIM

For Americans, it is rather easy to adopt a self-sufficient, “I can do it myself, I don’t need any help” attitude. But problems can bring us back to reality. We need God and His direction in our lives! Jeremiah 10:23 hits the nail on the head when it says,  “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.“ Self-sufficiency is will lead to disaster. We need God! Perhaps Paul said it best when he wrote  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5

It did not take Israel too long to learn that lesson during the Exodus. The wilderness experience Israel went through made it necessary for them to depend on God. There was little “I can do it myself” after a few weeks in the desert when their provisions were gone and their water supply was spent. Deuteronomy 8:4 that despite their grumbling, complaining and desire to return to Egypt God was dependable — “Thy raiment (clothes) waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.“

I hate to admit it, but we are too self-sufficient. We are so busy that we don’t take the time to let God talk to us through his Word or talk to Him in prayer. Our attitude toward the Lord is “Don’t bother me now, I’m busy.”

When self-sufficiency creeps into our lives that the Lord may deem it time to go to his tool box and take out a PROBLEM and send it our way. Why? The words of Christ recorded in John 15:5 explains it quite well — “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Nothing of lasting value can be accomplished apart from dependence on the Lord. God may allow problems into our life so that we will get our eyes off of ourselves and back them back on Him.

• Sometimes God uses problems to…CHASTEN & INSTRUCT US

The Lord may allows problems in our lives to chasten us. That’s one of the reasons Israel faced their wilderness experience according to Deuteronomy. 8:5 “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD chasteneth thee.”  The Hebrew word translated “chasten” has a two-fold meaning related to our education.  First, it refers to physical chastening.  Second, it refers to verbal instruction. Let’s take a closer look at these.

A. CHASTENING
No one likes to be spanked. But it may be necessary from time to time. We must be careful not take a wrong view of the Lord’s “spankings.” He has corrective intentions not punitive intentions. The punishment the Lord administered to Christians is not for the purpose of extracting payment for their sins, Christ died for our sins. It is designed to correct wrong behavior and motivate holy conduct (Heb. 12:11-14). God wants us to grown spiritually. But, we have our own agenda. Often times we refuse to be open to God’s will until He takes us through a “woodshed experience” where he uses just the right problem as a paddle. Then, we are ready to listen to His instruction.

Let’s move on to the second aspect of the Hebrew word “chasten.”

B. INSTRUCTION
Problems provide an opportunity for us to learn many things.

1. Problems Provide Opportunities to Learn Obedience

Hebrews. 5:8  “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things that he suffered.”

Christ learned to obey through the problems He faced. If Christ learned that way, we should not expect any different. I think that’s why Peter says we should not be surprised when we face “fiery trial.”  He understood that there are some lessons we would not learn unless we were faced with problems. Let’s look at I Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.“

Problems teach us obedience.

2. Problems Provide Us With The Opportunity To Put Theory Into Practice

There is a wealth of Bible verses and biblical principles that we all know. That’s good. The Bible tells us to hide God’s Word in our hearts. But it is not to stop there. Just knowing is no enough. The Pharisees knew the law inside-out. They memorized it and quoted it, BUT, they did not practice it.  You see, KNOWING THE WORD IS THE THEORY LEVEL.  But, we MUST take it a step further. WE MUST IMPLEMENT or apply THE WORD to our daily lives. Problems provide the perfect opportunity to put theory into practice. James reminds us “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22) When you know what the Word says and do not do what the word says, that is sin (James 4:17).

3. Problems Help Us Break Old Sinful Habit Patterns

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” I Peter 4:1-2

This verse is saying that the Lord uses physical suffering to help us to break some kind of sinful habit pattern and replace it with something that honors God.

I’ve seen that work. I went to visit a man in the hospital one day. It was no secret that he was backslidden. He knew it and I knew it. We started out with the small talk and joked a little bit. But then a serious look came over his face. He said, “God put me on my back so that now the only place I can look is up.” As a result of that hospital stay some sinful habit patterns were broken.

God may allow a problem to come our way to interrupt our routine, open our eyes and allow us time to break a sinful habit and develop new, Christ-honoring behavior.

4. Problems Motivate Us To Real Learning

I’m not sure how much real learning took place in my first three years of college. I did OK. By that I mean I crammed enough to pass the tests. But, my REAL learning began when I became the Assistant Pastor of a Church. Teenagers and adults began coming to me with their questions and their problems. That put the pressure on me. It was now my problem as well. It was a whole new ball game.  It drove me to the books and THE BOOK, the Bible in search of answers. You see, “real learning occurs when the student wants to know the reason for and the solution to a problem that relates to him personally.

Turn to Psalm 119:67, 71, 75 and read them. “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word…It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes…I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.“

The psalmist suggests that his problems motivated him to learn and live God’s word. Why was that motivation needed? All to often, when things are going well, we just go with the flow. We do what comes naturally, we do what we feel like doing.

The psalmist knew that real learning, lasting learning occurs in response to problems that come into our lives.

• Sometimes God uses problems to…DEVELOP OUR CHARACTER

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3-4

There is a little saying that goes, Christians are like tea bags. They aren’t much good until they get into some hot water. That pretty much what James is saying.

Though we may not like it, it seems that problems are designed to toughen us up spiritually and make us strong so that we can endure. That’s what 1 Peter 5:10  says anyway — “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.“

A good illustration of what I am saying is Joseph.  He live a life of ease in his early days. He was a softie. He was a self-centered, egotistical, spoiled brat.  He was daddies favorite and everyone knew it.  His brothers envied him and hated him. In addition he had a superiority complex. He thought better than the other kids in the family and let them know it. His brothers wanted to kill him (see Gen. 37). It is obvious that Joseph did not have much strength of character at this point in his life. But God used problems and trials at the hands of his brothers, Mr. & Mrs. Potipher and a prison inmate to develop his character so that he would endure and be able to be used by God. God uses problems in the same way in our lives. May we cooperate with God and in the end say as Joseph did to his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good….” (Genesis 50:20).

Let’s move on to the last way God uses problems.

• Sometimes God uses problems to…PREPARE US TO HELP OTHERS

2 Corinthians 1″3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.“

When we learn to handle our problems according to the principles and promises of God, we have the responsibility to help others to do the same thing. Learning to handle problems Biblically prepares us to help others who are going through tough times.

SUMMARY

Problems are a part of our educational curriculum in God’s College of Conformation. All believers are working for their Ph.D. in Christ-likeness (whether they like it or not) . We must not look at problems as the enemy but ask the Lord to help us to understand His purpose in the problem we face and cooperate with Him so as to grow in Christ-likeness through the problem.

Remember

GOD USES PROBLEMS TO…

Humble Us
Make Us Dependent On Him
Chasten & Instruct Us
To Develop Our Character
To Prepare Us To Help Others

Chapter 4 Principles Of Biblical Problem Solving

Define The Problem Accurately

We have already looked at three very important Principles of Biblical Problem Solving

1. Face Problems Realistically
2. Invite the Lord’s Help 
3. Understand How God Uses Problems.

 

That brings us to the Fourth Principle of Biblical Problem Solving — Define The Problem Accurately.

CATEGORIZE THE PROBLEM

• Is The Problem Changeable or Unchangeable?

The first step in defining the problem accurately is to find out what kind of problem you are dealing with. The place to begin is to generally decide whether the problem is changeable or unchangeable. Let’s consider changeable problems first. Changeable problems can be as simple as a flat tire, squeaky door, burnt out light, an annoying (but not sinful) personal habit. Or they can be complicated problems like financial difficulties, personality conflicts, problems with children’s, addiction to drugs, etc. These are all changeable problems!

HOW TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEYOND YOUR POWER TO CHANGE

Examples of such problems are diseases, disabilities, problems with bosses or losses.

If you conclude that a problem is beyond your power to change, be very careful. Be sure that it is not a matter of not wanting to deal with the problem. There is a vast difference between not wanting to work out a problem and facing a problem that is beyond your power work out. If you conclude that you are dealing with an unchangeable problem, you deal with it differently than you do a changeable problem. Here’s how do deal with problems that are beyond your control.

• Give Your Expectations To God

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Unfulfilled expectations will lead to frustration and bitterness. I have seen this happen many times when counseling with people who are having conflicts with those who are their authorities. Appeal to your authority but leave the results up to God. If your authority does not change it is not up to you to nag them into changing, coerce them into changing or manipulate them into changing.

Yet, I have heard people say, “I cannot handle this situation!” Perhaps you cannot but in a situation that is beyond you power to change you can handle the situation with the Lord’s help!!! One example is the Willis family who lost their six youngest children in a freak van accident. Phil. 4:13 is proving true in their lives.

• Look To The Lord For Strength, Wisdom & Pour Out Your Heart To Him

Psalms 62:6-8  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  

• Know that if the Lord allows you to experience an unchangeable problem He will provide the Grace you need to uphold you

Though I have used Paul’s “Thorn In The Flesh” many times in our study of dealing with problems Biblically, I must used this passage again to illustrate how we are to deal with unchangeable problems, particularly health or physical problems. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I can share many examples where people have faced ongoing, unchangeable problems. God is in the business of helping people deal these problems victoriously. He will help you if you will let Him.

Let’s move on. If you have generally looked at your problem and concluded that there is the possibility of change, then what do you do? You should…

EXAMINE THE CHANGEABLE PROBLEM CAREFULLY

A study of Nehemiah is helpful in understanding how to define a problem accurately. Nehemiah begins by asking God for help. This corresponds to our second principle of Biblical Problem Solving, Inviting The Lord’s Help. Read Nehemiah 1:4-11.

Turn to Nehemiah 2:1-16. In this passage we will see that Nehemiah begins by carefully examining the situation. In examining a problem you need to do two things —

• Probe to see how big the problem is.

Turn to Nehemiah 2:11-16. You will note that Nehemiah did not begin by notifying everyone that he was going to be examining the problem. Why? I because the real problem is often masked when people are aware that a problem is being evaluated. For three days Nehemiah quietly observed what was going on. Verse 16 notes, “the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did…” Nehemiah was inconspicuous but careful.

While it is true we should not make mountains out of mole hills, I have found that there is often more to a problem than first meets the eye. For example, when my son was in middle school there came a time when he did not want to go to school. He just did not feel well. At first it was no big deal, but it continued. Upon investigation we discovered that there was an older boy who was picking on him, knocking his books on the floor, punching him, etc.. He had told the teacher but the teacher ignored the problem.

Locked hand in hand with discovering the scope of the problem is the next step —

• Investigate to see who or what is involved in the problem

Nehemiah 2:19-20 reveals that Nehemiah knew where his opposition would come from and he planned accordingly.

You can find out how big a problem is and who is involved by observation, asking questions and listening carefully. I want to focus on the last two, asking questions and listening carefully.  Three scriptures that apply here.

First, the Bible tells us in Matthew 12:34 “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”  (Note: If you are seeking to define your own problem ask yourself these questions as well.)

Second, carefully listen and weigh the responses before you make a judgment. Proverbs 18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Third, remember, there may be another side of the story that you need to hear in order to define the problem accurately. Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

That brings me to the questions to use when trying do define a problem. These questions were developed to help individual define their own problems but they can be adapted for use in other problem solving situations.

• QUESTIONS TO ASK THAT WILL HELP DEFINE THE PROBLEM

Situation Oriented Questions
What Happened?
When did it happen?
Where did it happen
With whom did it happen?

Feeling Oriented questions
How did you feel? (anger, joy, anxiety, fear, guilt, pleasure, etc.)
What emotions did you express?

How Did You Respond or Behave?
What did you say?
What did you do?

What Did You Think?
What thoughts went through your mind?
What was your attitude?
What was your interpretation of the situation?

What motives are involved?
What did you want?
What did you expect?
Who or what controls you?
What is your relationship with God?
What was your relationship with God at the time?

You need not apply every question to every problem situation but if these questions are answered honestly it will help you define the problem you are facing accurately.

Let’s test some of these questions on a problem that is presented in Acts 6:1-4  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

What happened? — the number of the disciples was multiplied…their widows were neglected

With whom did it happen (who was involved?) — the Grecians against the Hebrews…the twelve…the multitude of disciples.

What emotions were expressed? — there arose a murmuring

What did they want? — their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and they wanted that to be stopped. But the Apostles did not want to have to stop ministering the word and praying to operate a “Meals on wheels” program.

You will note, once the problem was defined, a solution was offered and accepted. (vs. 3-7).

When you are examining a problem carefully you 1) probe to see how big the problem is  2) investigate to see who or what is involved and finally you

• Discover attitudes & emotional reactions  

Have you heard the old saying, Two wrongs don’t make a right? Unquestionably this present day proverb  applies to the Biblical problem solving environment. Let me explain how this works. Let’s say a friend gossips about you and you find out about it. It really ticks you off because what she said was not true so you call her up to straighten her out. When she answers the phone you say —

 “Some kind of friend you are! After all I’ve done for you, you turn around and spit in my face. What kind of Christian are you anyway? I’ve never done such a low-down, underhanded, fowl thing to a friend in my life. I’ve got to wonder if you are a Christian. You own me an apology dearie! But even if you do apologize I don’t know whether I can believe you after what you said about me. I think I’ll just let you stew in your own juice for a while…Good bye.” Then you slam down the phone.

What’s wrong here? Galatians 6:1 reveals the answer.  “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The attitude was wrong! A haughty, self-righteous attitude is evident in this hypothetic-cal response. To be sure, the initial offense was wrong. But just because someone sins against us, does not give us a license to sin. God holds us responsible for our attitudes just as much as he holds the other person responsible for his/her offense. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

There is another attitude that is devastating to problem resolution, particularly within families — an unforgiving attitude. Proverbs 18:19 points out that this attitude is particularly widespread among family members. The verse says, A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions (disputes) are like the bars of a castle. The word “brother” may refer to any family relationship. In more than two decades of ministry the problems that have most often alluded solution are problems between husbands and wives, parents and children and problems between siblings. But this is not an exclusively family oriented sin. Others hold this attitude too. In fact, the New Testament notes that an unforgiving attitude is the product of self-centeredness and depraved thinking. Turn to 2 Timothy 3:1-3  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good…” The key word is “trucebreakers” which is the Greek word aspondos which means one who refuses to forgive. The same Greek word is translated as implacable in Romans 1:31. This Old English word is defined as one who will not be pacified. Any way you slice it, an unforgiving attitude is sin.

A haughty, self-righteous attitude and an unforgiving attitude often block problem solving efforts. But none is more devastating to solving problems biblically than a bitter attitude that seeks revenge. A common phrase that expresses this attitude is, “I don’t get angry, I get even!” That is a wrong attitude! When we are sinned against, we must resist the desire to get revenge. Revenge is not your right. You must leave that to God (Romans 12:17-19).

There are numerous other wrong attitudes that you should check for such as know it all attitude, selfish attitude, an ungrateful attitude, a rebellious attitude, etc. They do not belong in the believers life. The truth is, that improper attitudes complicate problems and make biblical problem solving extremely difficult.

• Wrong Reactions

After you have evaluated your attitude, you should ask yourself, “Have I displayed the proper emotional reaction?” James 1:20 serves as an important reminder For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. We must remember that our disposition is to be Christ honoring at all times, even when we are under pressure. Now, that’s impossible if you are walking in the flesh, but it IS possible if you are walking in the spirit (Ephesians 4:29-32). How you respond in pressure/problem situations will indicate whether you are walking in the flesh or walking in the spirit.

Anger, jealousy, hatred and fear are all emotional reactions that can muddy the waters and hinder biblical problem solving. Let’s look at them briefly.

• Anger

To be sure there is such a thing as righteous anger but our anger seldom falls into that narrow category. Our anger, most often, is of the sinful kind. Note the following scriptures —

Ecclesiastes 7:9   Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Psalms 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 

Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression (overlook an offense). 

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  

James 1:20 serves as an important reminder — For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

• Jealousy & Hatred

Jealousy coupled with hatred forms a hideous two headed monster. Now while it is true that a person can exercise Godly jealousy and hatred (2 Corinthians 11:2; Psalm 97:10) that is seldom the case. Our jealousy & hate is usually of the same kind as Joseph’s brothers as Genesis 37:4 reveals.  And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Then there was the jealousy of King Saul. We will look at the whole story in just a moment but I want you to see just this verse — 1 Samuel 18:8  And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Jealousy and hatred are twin sins that hinder problem solving.

• Fear

Though problems are to be dealt with tactfully, many times people will not face what needs to be faced because they fear the response of those involved. Proverbs 29:25 is true,  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. We must not allow fear to hinder us from responding Biblically. Remember Psalms 118:6  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

In summary, we must remember that our disposition is to be Christ honoring at all times, even when we are under pressure. Now, that’s impossible if you are walking in the flesh, but it IS possible if you are walking in the spirit (Eph. 4:29-32). How you respond in pressure/ problem situations will indicate whether you are walking in the flesh or walking in the spirit.

Let’s look at a Biblical example of someone whose attitude & responses were right even when he was sinned against. Turn to 1 Samuel 18:5-15.

It is obvious from the text that King Saul was jealous of David. In fact, Saul tried to kill David. But did you see how David responded to Saul? Verse 14 says, David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

When we are facing problems we need to model our behavior after David and behave ourselves wisely. Even when we are sinned against, God holds us accountable to respond properly. We do not have the right to respond sinfully. Don’t complicate problems by a bad attitude or improper response. That is just adding fuel to the fires of sin. Follow the wise words of Proverbs 26:20-21 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

In conclusion, defining changeable problems accurately requires:

1. Probing to see how big the problem is
2. Finding out who or what is involved
3. Discovering attitudes and emotional reactions to be sure they are right

The next step in defining the problem accurately is

IDENTIFY THE ROOT PROBLEM

Three Obstacles That Hinder Identifying Root Problems

1. Autonomy
2. Blame shifting
3. A Victim Mentality
   

• AUTONOMY

What is “autonomy?” It is the condition or quality of being autonomous; independence. When it is applied to a person is means acting independently of God, deciding for your self what is right and wrong. So, how does autonomy hinder getting the real problem so that it can be solved?

Years ago, more than 25 by now, I heard Dr. Warren Wiersbe say, “At the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart.”  That little saying stuck in my mind and I have found it to be true over and over again. Heart problems, spiritual problems, are at the root of our problems. Why? Because every problem we face presents us with a choice. We can either trust and obey the Lord and do His will which will bring us closer to mental-emotional stability (Isa. 26:3-4), or, we can act independently and do our will which will bring us closer to mental-emotional calamity (Isa. 57:20-21).

All we have to do is look at what King David’s hidden adulterous relationship with Bathsheba did to him mentally, emotionally and physically. Listen to David’s own words in Psalms 32:3-4 —  When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Psalms 51 deals with the same incident. You can easily see from reading this passage that doing his own will in the Bathsheba incident made him feel dirty, cost him his joy, made him doubt his salvation and was the source of great feelings of guilt. But you can also see from both Psalm 32 & 51 when he dealt with his problem Biblically, confessed and obeyed the Lord mental-emotional stability returned (Psalms 32:5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.)

I like how David closes Psalms 32 –(10-11)  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Remember, every problem we face presents us with a choice. We can either trust and obey the Lord and do His will which will bring us closer to mental-emotional stability or, we can act independently and do our will which will bring us closer to mental-emotional calamity.

•  Let’s move on to the second obstruct to identifying root problems… BLAME SHIFTING

Over the years I have found that one of the main reasons that married people initially seeks counseling is to get their partner to change. Rather than focusing on what they should do to better the situation, each is hoping that their partner heard what the pastor said because their partner sure needs it and they are really to blame to the problems in the marriage. “If my wife would just be submissive” he says. “If my husband would just cherish me” she says.

When you blame another person or circumstance for your problems you are saying, “I’m not responsible for this problem. It’s not my problem. You can’t hold me accountable for that!”

The fact is, that blame shifting is as old as Adam and Eve. Let’s read Genesis 3:9-13. Nobody wanted to take responsibility for the problem. Too many people spend too much time and emotional energy trying to fix the blame instead of working on identifying their part of the problem.

In their book How to Counsel from Scripture Martin & Deidre Bobgan suggest two questions that will help bring attention away from blame to responsibility.

1. What can you do to change the situation or relationship?
2. Are you willing to change even if the other person (such as spouse, boss, or friend) or circumstance do not change?

The fact is, we are all accountable to God regardless of what the circumstances are or what someone else does to us! Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

• The third obstruct to identifying root problems is… A “VICTIM” MENTALITY  

The “victim mentality” is BIG in our day. Everyone is a victim. And, when you are a victim you are not responsible for the things you think, word you say, emotions you feel or actions you take. In short, you are not held responsible for your sin when you are a victim in our society. The Reginald Denny case, Bobbit case and the Menendez brothers case illustrates my point.

Though that may be societies attitude, that is not to be the Biblical attitude. Through the power of God Christians have the opportunity and ability to be victors instead of victims. Think for a moment of the case of Joseph. He was hated by his brothers (Gen 37:4-8) envied by his brothers (Gen. 37:11), kidnapped by them and sold into slavery (Gen. 37:28). From there, things got worse. He is falsely accused of attempted rape and put in prison (Gen. 39). Joseph could have adopted the victim mentality and when his brothers came before him years later he had the authority to have them skinned alive. Who could have blamed him for murdering them? God would have held him responsible that’s who!

Joseph refused consider himself a victim. There is no hint that he was bitter. Joseph had trusted God and knew that God had a purpose in allowing all this to happen. Joseph was a VICTOR ! (See Gen. 45:3-8; Gen. 50:15-21)

In summary, there are three obstacles that hamper dealing with root problems — Autonomy, Blame shifting,  & A Victim Mentality. Don’ be responsible for throwing them in someone’s path.

Chapter 1 Axioms For Contending With Problems Biblically

Where should we start? Perhaps the best place to start would be by defining the word “axiom.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary an axiom is an established rule, principle, or law.

With this definition in mind, we are going to be studying established biblical rules, principles or laws of problem solving. Hence Axioms for Contending With Problems Biblically.

Now, before we consider biblical problem solving, you need to know that there are a number of other approaches to problem solving being promoted in our day. In fact there is an entire area of study called the psychology of problem solving. One of the most popular technique for dealing with problems is called Creative Problem Solving (CPS). It takes a humanistic approach to problem solving. It was popularized in values clarification classes. Here’s a rough outline of how CPS worked.

1) It began with the teacher guiding the students on developing a set of rules to reason by.

2) Next, the teacher presented a hypothetical situation to the students. One scenario I remember was the lifeboat “game.” The setting was a ship wreck. The focus was one particular life boat that carried food and water for just six people, but there were ten people in the boat. Four would have to go or the boat would be swamped and they would all drown. This is a passenger list — a sailor; an engineer; a badly injured black man; a pregnant woman, an elderly man, a fashion model, a blind man, a mean spirited man, a doctor and a preacher. The students were to choose which people should be allowed to stay in the life boat and which ones should be thrown out according to their preset guidelines.

Obviously there is a problem with hypothetical “games” like this especially when biblical values are not in focus. As believers we must solve the problems of life based on Biblical principles.

The natural question is, are there verses that give us biblical guidelines for solving the problems of life? If you were to take your concordance and look up all the occurrences of the words “problem” or “problems” in the King James Version of the Bible you would not find one occurrence. I also have a NIV concordance. Even in this loose translation there are only three occurrences of those words (Deut. 1:12; Dan. 5:12 & 16). Yet, it would be a mistake to conclude that the Bible does not give us any insight into how to solve the problems of life Biblically. Words like trouble(s) (122 times), tribulation(s) (26 times), temptation(s) (24 times), and trial (6 times) are words that encompass our English word “problem.”

Let’s begin by focusing on the first axiom for contending with problems biblically

RECOGNIZE THAT PROBLEMS ARE A PART OF LIFE

1 Corinthians 10:13a “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…”

Zero in on the word temptation (3986) for a moment. It means a trying circumstance, an adverse situation or problems. When God is the agent, it means to put to the test for the purpose of making that person more Christ-like, never for the purpose of causing an individual to fall. When Satan is the agent, it is a solicitation to evil.

Now look at the phrase common to man. This is but one Greek word — (442) anthropinos (anth-ro’-pee-nos). It means belonging to man or the condition of man.

When you put the two words together you have AXIOM #1 — Trying circumstances (problems) are a part of human life! Problems are the lot of all human beings.

Biblical Support For This Axiom —

Jesus Said — These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33. The Greek word translated tribulation is thlipsis (thlip’-sis 2347) which means pressure, or trouble.

Job said — Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7

Peter said — Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12

Let’s move on to Axiom #2

GOD WILL EQUIP YOU TO GET THROUGH ANY OF LIFE’S PROBLEMS IF YOU WILL RELY ON HIM

1 Corinthians 10:13b There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Look at the word faithful. It means that God trustworthy. He can be trusted to do what He has promised. So, according to this verse, what has he promised?

• He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear

“…who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able…”

This is a great promise to believers! God will not allow anything into a believers life that he cannot handle. Jay Adams puts it this way, “Given the grace of God, given your knowledge of God’s Word…given the resources of the Holy Spirit within, there is no trial into which God calls you that is beyond your ability to withstand. Instead of saying ‘can’t’ you should say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That moves us into the next section of the verse that unfolds God’s second promise…

• He will provide the resources you need to get you through the difficulty

“…but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

When I think of “a way to escape” the first thing that comes to my mind is being removed from the difficulty. But the elimination of difficulty is not what is in focus here. There are two reasons why I say that.

First, the phrase “to bear it” comes from the Greek word hupophero, (hoop-of-er’-o — 5297) which means to bear from underneath, implying to undergo hardship. This is not implying the removal of the difficulty.

The second reason I am sure the elimination of difficulty is not in focus in 1 Corinthians 10:13 is because “the word translated way of escape was used of sailors lightening their ships in a storm by throwing overboard heavy cargo (Acts 27:18-38). The way of escape for the believer can involve the idea of being shown by God what his life style or reaction pattern needs to be discarded and replaced with God-honoring behavior or response.”

Many times God uses the trials of life to draw us closer to Himself. He wants us to get rid of the excess baggage that is hindering our fellowship with Him. This is what happened to the Apostle Paul. Paul had a problem and he wanted the unpleasantness removed. He wanted God to get rid of it for him. God did take care of the problem, but in His own way. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in neces-sities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

What I am saying is simply this — When God promises a way of escape that does not obligate Him to fix the problem our way. What he will do is provide the resources you need to get you through the difficulty, if you will rely on Him.

Let’s look at one further axiom for today’s study. Axiom #3

PROBLEMS MUST BE DEALT WITH BASED ON THE COMMANDS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD’S WORD NOT UPON OUR NATURAL DESIRES & FEELINGS

2 Peter 1:3 tells us God has given us all we need to live a balanced Christian life — According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

In fact, Paul told Timothy All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

When problems are handled based on the instructions and commands of the Bible, people

1. Face the situation honestly
2. Speak the truth in love
3. Confess when wrong
4. Assume personal responsibility for your own actions

When problems are handled on the basis of natural inclinations and feelings, people

1. Run from problems
2. Lie to manipulate
3. Cover-up when wrong
4. Shift The Blame

Let’s review the Three Biblical Axioms of Problem Solving we have considered so far —

1. PROBLEMS ARE A PART OF LIFE
2. GOD WILL EQUIP YOU TO GET THROUGH ANY OF LIFE’S PROBLEMS IF YOU WILL RELY ON HIM
3. PROBLEMS MUST BE DEALT WITH BASED ON THE COMMANDS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD’S WORD NOT UPON OUR NATURAL DESIRES & FEELINGS (see chart following)

Two Alternatives For Problem Solving
by Pastor David L. Brown, Th.M.

	The Biblical Approach	The Humanist Approach
FOCUS	God Centered   Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 32:8-9 (God watches out for His children–1 Pet. 3:12)	Man Centered  Proverbs 6:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Man is the measure of all things; Look out for number one)
AUTHORITY	Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (God has the answer)	Self Proverbs 28:26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (I have the answer within myself — Gen. 3:4-5)
BASIS OF CHOICES MADE	Commands & Principles of God  2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (He knows what is best for me)	Personal Feelings & Desires Making decisions based on emotions and or natural desires can be dangerous. Numbers 11:5  We remember the fish…  Proverbs 23:2  And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. (I know what is best for me)
GOAL	The Will of God & Eternal Joy Psalms 143:10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Matthew 25:21  “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”	Personal Comfort & Temporal Pleasure Luke 12:16-21 The Parable of The Rich Fool
RESULT	Inner Peace & Freedom Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 2 Corinthians 3:17  “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”	Chaos & Bondage 1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  Proverbs 5:22  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Chapter 2 Principles of Biblical Problem Solving

FACE PROBLEMS REALISTICALLY

Psalm 139:3-4

• Admit That There Is A Problem

Before any problem can be solved there first must be an admission that there is a problem. For example, mans BIGGEST problem is the problem of sin. But, before the sin problem can be solved and before anyone can be saved, they must first admit that they are lost sinners in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The same holds true in any problem. Admitting that there is a problem is the first step to solving that problem.

• Know the enemies of facing problems realistically

There are two enemies that keep people from facing their problems realistically — rationalization & covering the problem.

Rationalization is an enemy of biblical problem solving. Let me give you a dictionary definition of the word. According to the Webster’s New World Dictionary –

rationalize means — to devise superficially rational, or plausible, explanations or excuses for (one’s acts, beliefs, desires, etc.), usually without being aware that these are not the real motives.

To put it simply, rationalization is thinking up a “good” reason or excuse why it is OK to think, act or believe in a way that you should not.

An enlightening Biblical illustration of rationalization is the story of King Sauls handling of the Amalekite siege (1 Sam. 15:1-26). Verse 3 gives specific instructions on how God wanted the siege handled — Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. But Saul and the people had other plans that seemed reasonable to them

1 Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

As you might imagine, Sauls disobedience was not acceptable to God and he tells Samuel so in verses 10-11. The next morning Samuel meets with Saul and the King asserts, 13 …I have performed the commandment of the LORD. But Samuel knows better. He says, 14 …What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

That brings us to Sauls rationalization for his sin — In verse 15 he excuses his disobedience by claiming that they saved the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord. In verse 21 Saul blames the sin on the people. Samuel responds with these familiar piercing words recorded in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Friends remember. Our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jer. 17:9) and a rationalization can be developed within our fallen minds to justify any sin. Rationalization is one enemy to facing your problems realistically.

That brings me to the second enemy of biblical problem solving, covering the problem. Our natural inclination when we come up against a problem is to ignore it, hoping it will go away. But, problems are like boils. Under the surface they fester. They do not go away but get worse. There is a scripture that comes to mind, Proverbs 28:13 which says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. The word covereth implies secrecy and means to conceal, cover, or hide. The classic Biblical example of concealing a sin problem is King Davids adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Sam. 11). David tried to cover the problem which took him deeper into sin. He describes what it was doing to him in Psalms 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. But when he faced his sin honestly things changed — Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Summary — The first step in Biblical Problem Solving is Facing Problems Realistically. You do that by Admitting That There Is A Problem. Two enemies that will keep you from facing your problem realistically are 1) rationalization (thinking up a “good” reason not to face up to the problem) 2) covering the problem (hiding it or denying that it exists).

That brings me to the next step in Biblical problem solving…

INVITE THE LORD’S HELP

The Bible Holds The Key That Can Unlock You From The Shackles Of Your Problem

Perhaps the greatest hindrance to asking for help is pride. Americans particularly are very independent and self-sufficient. The fact is, pride is a problem (let’s call it what it really is — sin). An interesting study that can be very enlightening is to trace “pride” and the related words in the Bible. Just word pride occurs in 49 times in 46 verses in the Bible (there are other words like proud, prideful, etc.). I read all 46 verses and not one of those verses cast pride in a positive light! I found that God hates pride; pride is shameful; pride stirs up contention; pride deceives; pride sets you up for a fall; pride brings you low; pride is the precursor of destruction; etc. In fact, when God see pride in His children He cries.

Jeremiah 13:15-17   Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.

The point is that God had an answer for the problem of His people if they would have listened. But they did not. They turned a deaf ear to his counsel. They rejected His help.

James 4:2-3 another good passage that address the issue of asking God for help. It says,  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

That fact is that the root of many of the problems we face is pride & selfishness. We want our own way and are not really open to God’s will in the matter. We want, what we want, when we want it! But, In Biblical problem solving the focus is God’s will not our will. Our prayer needs to be the words of Psalms 27:11 —  Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path… This gives God the invitation to work. James 1:5 is another important verse — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

An excellent illustration of how this principle is practiced come from the life of Daniel in chapter 2. King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that he cannot remember. He calls his occult entourage and demands that they tell him his dream and interpret it or “if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.” (vs. 5).

These sorcerers answer the King by contending –(vs.10)  “There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.”

Well, the king decides to kill all the “wise men” in the kingdom. The problem is that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the Hebrew captives are number in this group (though they do NOT practice the occult). So how does Daniel handle this problem?  Let’s pick up the account in verse 14.

Daniel 2:14-18  “Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: 15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.”

As you can see, Daniel and his friends prayed and asked God to help them resolve their problem. And what is the outcome? For the answer we must look to…
Daniel 2:19 & 23 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.  23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Daniel comes before the King and reveals the King’s dream and its interpret-ation and gives God the credit for solving the problem (see vs 26-28).

Daniel sought the Lord’s help and gave God the glory when He did help. We need to follow his example when seeking to solve our problems Biblically.

Summary — The second step in Biblical problem solving is to invite the Lord’s help. There’s nothing too hard for Him. Jeremiah 32:17 tells us,  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:27 the Lord asks this rhetorical question —  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? The answer is — Nothing is too hard for you Lord!