Significance of Ephesians 4:17-25 in Biblical Counseling | ACBC Exam Question #36

       Explain the significance of Eph. 4:17-25, and similar passages for Biblical counseling.

Ephesians 4:17-25 is a powerful text in Biblical counseling because; it alludes to the difference between secular psychology/counseling, shows that a new life in Christ is required in order to transform a life and it’s purpose for existence, and it also gives us clear guidelines for how lasting change happens.

First we see that without Jesus we can’t be different (vs. 17-19).  Without salvation all attempts at purposeful living are futile.  Unregenerate people are blinded, ignorant, hard-hearted, greedy and hopelessly bound to sin.  Because the counseling offered by unsaved people does not address the sin problem, it can provide coping mechanisms, behavioural modification, and shifting of blame, but it cannot provide real help or hope as it is apart from Christ.  He is the truth (vs. 20), the One who makes all heart-level change possible.     

Secondly, it is clear that faith in Christ must take place before Biblical change can happen.  We must switch Masters before we can effectively change (Romans 6).  Until a person comes to a personal faith in Jesus to forgive their sins, and enable them to righteous living they are just spinning their wheels in the mud of sin, trying to clean themselves up, when what they need first is rescue out of the mud all together.  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  We need to have a new life from the root level (heart decision) in order to produce a changed life (purpose, motives, thinking, actions).

Lastly this passage outlines how lasting change can change take place.  It is a total replacement from the old man (pre-salvation, bound to sin) to the new man (made righteous through Christ, able to not sin) (vs. 22-23).   The change begins in the mind (vs. 23). 

“Have you ever cooked rice in a rice cooker? You pour the dry rice and water into the appliance, plug it in, and click the switch to turn on the heat. The water steams and infuses itself within the grains of rice. The rice becomes robust and saturated. This is what happens when we receive counsel. We mentally saturate our heart with either healthy or poisonous water. The counsel produces robustness in our lives corresponding to the quality possessed.”¹

                God is the ultimate Counselor who changes our hearts and lives (Psalm 32:8).  In counseling we have the privilege and responsibility to help our counselees renew their mind by presenting Biblical truth to them about their particular sin problem or circumstances.  When their thinking is in line with Scriptural truth, they will learn how to live out those truths in their actions.  They can say “No!” to sin and apply the Scripture that promises “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Replacing sin with righteous choices (and then habits) is possible like verse 25 gives example of; “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”  Being connected in relationship to Christ, who enables us to deny self and sin, we can choose to live in righteousness, stop sinning, and replace those motives, thinking and behaviour with what is right.  Biblical counseling is leading others through this process, coming along side and aiding them in their sanctification.   

                This passage is a cornerstone for what Biblical counseling is, why it is effective, and the process by which we (through Christ and God’s Word) lead people to genuine change.   

 ¹ http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/blogs/2014/05/05/developing-a-biblical-theology-of-emotions/