“Warfare” in Counseling?

Spiritual “Warfare,” as such, and Christian counseling are mostly synonymous. Spiritual warfare has at its core the intent to defeat the attacks of the enemy, and Christian counseling does very much the same by helping the client learn effective and practical Biblical ways to conquer the works of the enemy in their lives.

Spiritual Warfare begins with obeying God. The Scriptures say, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7 (NASB95) While the statement seems so simple, yet it is the key to successful warfare against the enemy. We are NOT called to fight the devil, we don’t need to. Fighting the devil is the work of Christ, and He has already won the war. Our job is to learn to obey the Lord.

The most obvious enemy we will face, as counselors, are the lies. The enemy will lie to the clients, and lie to us. His biggest lie is that there is no hope. The lie, though is not always a blatant one, mostly it comes in subtly, almost as an afterthought.

The counselor who pays attention will still have to be wise in his or her search for the truth regarding the situation the client is presenting. In Proverbs (25:2), the Scriptures say, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”  Counselors must learn to listen well, extrapolate, and even discern to get to the real (or root) problems or issues. The enemy will try to confuse and distract you, but the Spirit of God (which is the author of a “sound mind”) will help you (the counselor) focus and seek healthy answers.

The verse from James (above) gives the Christian counselor the pattern of “spiritual warfare” he or she is to follow. There are 2 steps: (1) Submit to God. And, (2) Resist the devil. That’s it.

That’s the pattern of success for the counselor and the client. To start adding more to this is to burden yourself with extra work and effort you just don’t need. Think about it this way, where in Scripture do we see the disciples (on their own) going out and looking for a “battle” with the enemy. They faced up to it and did their part when the situation presented itself, but they did not go out looking for a fight.

To better understand the principles of this verse, we will take those two steps, and review them, understand them, and then explain how to apply them.

STEP ONE – SUBMIT TO GOD.

What does this mean? The Greek word used here is “hupotasso” and is a military term meaning “to arrange in a military fashion under the command of a leader.” When used non‑militarily, it meant “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.”

We get a hint in the book of Luke when the seventy-two (whom Jesus had sent out, had returned and were speaking with Him), they said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke 10:17 (NIV). The obvious idea which is intended to be understood is that they had a type of authority (as agents of Jesus) which the demons recognized, and obeyed (submitted to). As long as the seventy-two acted in their capacity as representatives of Jesus, they had authority over the demons, who had to do as instructed.

What we are looking at here is an authority given, much like that given to a police officer. Just because a person wears a badge and a uniform, that does not make them authorized Peace Officers. They must go through a program of pre-established structure and procedure. They must pass exams and such, and then participate in a government-created “certification” and/or “licensing” process. Then they will become “authorized” to exercise specific and detailed powers given to them. It is only when they act within these clearly established and defined parameters that they can exercise their legally given powers of the law. If a policeman turns criminal, he or she loses their right to exercise police authority. See, it is not the badge or uniform, but the rights which come by acting within an established parameter that makes the difference.

Likewise, we Christians, it is not that we call ourselves Christian, or that we go to church, or that we read the Bible, or that we pray, or even that we believe in Jesus, that gives us authority. It is when we act within the clearly defined parameters (God’s Word), as agents of Christ, that we can depend on the benefits of specific results due to our efforts in spiritual warfare.

Just because someone names the name of Jesus, that does not always impress the enemy. Acts 19, 13-16 tells us of people who were doing just that.

(NLT) “A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.”

Let’s check this out a bit better. The demon said, “I know who Jesus is.” Now we have to assume something here (you know, extrapolate), the demons probably did not know Jesus personally. That is to say, that Jesus probably did not know all demons on a personal basis (like, that He met them all). So when the demon told the Sceva brothers that he knew who Jesus was, he was very likely saying that since he had heard of Him, and had been told who He actually was (the Son of God), he also recognized His authority, which was higher than his own. In other words, “I know about Him and know that his authority is greater than mine, and so I would have to obey Him.”

Secondly, the demon referred to Paul. He said, “I have heard of Paul.” This tells us much as well. We can extrapolate from this that the demons have some sort of communication system, sort of like a demon newsletter, email, or the such, by which they share information with each other. Those Christians who come to recognize their authority in Christ, become “newsworthy” material. The demons speak with each other about these certain Christians. These Christians become persons that the demons recognize, if not due to personal encounters, then because of their (the Christians) impact on the demons themselves. Paul was well known for his preaching, the miraculous events in his life, in many cases, and, even encounters with possessed persons. In his case, demons who would have heard of him would also have heard of his success in exercising his authority, thereby identifying what authority he actually has. In this case, the demon involved with the Sceva brothers could easily have extrapolated that according to all he had heard of Paul, he very liked had an authority higher than his own, and would very likely have to submit to, and obey, Paul.

Thirdly, he asked the brothers, “Who are you?” We can safely extrapolate that the demon was not wanting to know their names, where they lived, and which football teams they liked best. He was actually asking them, “What authority do you have, or represent, which is higher than my own? Why should I have to submit to you, and follow your orders?” From this, we can also extrapolate that demons don’t automatically assume that just because someone claims to be a Christian (or says all the right keywords), that they just roll over and play dead. On the contrary, their most likely response will be to challenge the person. Keep in mind, that very likely in the “Demon Gazette Newsletter,” they probably reported the situation involving the Sceva brothers. We can be sure that the demons, who heard about that, had a great laugh at the expense of the Sceva brothers. Ask yourself a serious question, If you were to have a confrontation with a demon, would he have “heard” about you (and thereby know of your authority due to your prior actions and behavior), or would you be someone that the demon would have to ask you to prove your authority?

Exercising Real Authority

What is it that you have to do to be able to exercise this “authority of Christ?” Easy enough answer: “Submit to God.” Find out what He wants from you, and then do it. “I’m already doing that,” you may complain. “I read the Bible and follow it the best I can,” you may even add. Is this enough? Is something else required? The definition above, from the Greek, includes this part: “to subordinate; reflexive to obey:‑ be under obedience.”

What does this mean? Well, let’s look at the definition more carefully.

“To subordinate,” this means to consider yourself as having a lower or less authority than the person you are referring to (in this case, God). This is not just lip service, saying something is so does not make it so. If you are truly subordinate to someone you never have to tell them that, they already know it, because you follow all their instructions and orders. That’s what proves to them that you are subordinating yourself to them. Also, you don’t have to say it to others, because they too will be able to see in your actions and behavior. Right?

“Reflexive to obey” means to have such a response to someone that even as they are starting to ask you to do something (and sometimes even before they do), you are already starting to obey. Another way to say this is to give an example. Let’s say that you are in the armed forces of the United States, and get to know your commanding officer so well, that in just about any situation you can guess what he would do or want to be done. Now let’s say that some big wig officer is going to be coming to visit a section of soldiers. Let’s also say that this will mean that your officer will have to notify all subordinate officers and squads of the situation, and have each of them respond in a way that proves they got the message. Finally, let’s add, that this means that the information will have to be entered onto a computer for record-keeping.

You have two courses of action. One, wait until you are ordered to do anything, and specifically wait to be told exactly what you will have to do, so you don’t have to do more than what will be required of you. This could also mean that you would have more free time for yourself and personal projects. Secondly, you could start preparing the announcements, making copies for all the necessary persons, clarifying who is to get what type of announcement, and how they will respond to them. And, you could start inputting as much information ahead of time to reduce the impact on yourself and your commanding officer. The first option, while a valid one, says that you are NOT “reflexive to obey.” The second choice PROVES that you are.

The question for you here is: “Are you reflexive to obey God?” Do you have such a relationship with God that you can guess at what He wants to be done, or would want to be done, in given situations? When you see a need, do you start working at meeting it, or do you “wait on the Lord,” “pray about it,” and “seek His guidance?”  Both are valid options, but only one of them says you are “reflexive to obey,” in other words, submitted to God.

STEP TWO – RESIST THE DEVIL

The word, “resist,” here is not trying to give the impression that you should be struggling against, fighting with, or in any way having to entangle yourself in some confrontation with the devil. The word is:

If a person is actually submitting, then he or she is, by definition, resisting the devil.

Think about it, what is it that the “devil” wants that you should resist? The enemy wants you to argue your “rights” and proclaim your “freedoms.” The enemy wants you to be motivated by your selfish desires and wants. The enemy wants you to take offense because people disagree with you. To get angry because things are not working your way. The enemy wants you to define virtues in such a way as to make anything you do just fine. The enemy wants you to have it your way. The enemy wants you to interpret Scripture in whatever way will justify your choice of actions and behavior.

As a counselor, the enemy wants you to trust in your own understanding, not to lean on God, to avoid acknowledging Him in all your ways. The enemy wants you to avoid reading and studying books and materials which might make you a better counselor. The enemy wants you to make excuses for not praying or spending time with God. The enemy wants you to make counseling more important than your family. The enemy wants you to not allow God to decide the course of your life for you. The enemy wants you to be the one who runs your life. The enemy wants you to use the statement,” Nobody’s perfect,” as an excuse for not doing your best.

If a person is actually submitting, then he or she is, by definition, resisting the devil, because you cannot serve two masters. Otherwise, the Bible says (Matthew 6:24), “he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” So in this case, choosing to submit to God is resisting the devil, and that will have the desired result: The devil must flee.

RECOMMENDED “SPIRITUAL WARFARE” ACTIVITY OF THE COUNSELOR

After you identify the root problem your client is dealing with, and you and he agree on the objective and/or goals of the counseling sessions, bring those plans before the Lord and ask for His guidance and discernment.

• Pray for your clients; that God helps clear their minds and thinking; that God helps them to become and stay committed to the objective and goals of the counseling.

• Pray for the other persons involved with your client (wives, husbands, children, fellow employees, friends, relatives, etc.), that the enemy is not able to use them against your client during the counseling process; that God helps heal wounded relationships, etc.

• Pray for God to enlighten you as to the real need of the client; to help you focus on the correct answer, and to strengthen you as you work with the client toward a successful and healthy resolution.

• Spend time with your family. If you are married, love your spouse openly; nurture a spirit of enjoyment, sexually, and physically, spiritually with one another.

• Be faithful in your attendance to church; with your tithes and offering; with your Bible reading; and ministry to others.

• Be submissive to your pastor, church leaders, and spouse (if you are married).
• Be quick to listen, slow to speak, long in patience, strong in compassion, and full of mercy.

This material is not a treatise on “Spiritual Warfare” as such. There are several schools of thought on this subject, and the counselor may choose to study these. New Life does not align itself with any of these schools of thought. We consciously and deliberately limited ourselves to what seems (to us) to be obvious as far as to the extent God wishes us to enter any type of “spiritual” warfare. Though we acknowledge the existence of the enemy and his hordes, we do not grant him any more attention than what is necessary.

As a Christian counselor, you must accept a few truths:

• You will always be a target of the enemy because you want to help others come to freedom through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in their lives.

• You are not an exception; there will never be a time (in this life) when you will not be of strategic importance to the enemy. Their goal is to destroy your character, your testimony, your self-confidence, and your trust in God. Having done this, they will destroy all your ministerial effort.

• The enemy will always attack with lies. His goal will be to get you to believe even a little, tiny lie. If he can do this, then he has a foothold in your life (stronghold), from which he can launch attacks in other areas of your life.

• If the enemy cannot attack you directly, he will use your loved ones, family, friends, in-laws and out-laws to do the work for him. They may not be aware but you must be on constant guard against the wiles of the “devil.”

• The Bible cautions Christians “see then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15 KJV). That is to say, pay attention to everything, don’t get distracted, the enemy is out to destroy you.” It is up to you, the counselor, to do the right thing, for the right reason. Thus it says in Ecc 10:08 says, “he that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” Do not give the enemy an open door.