“The word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13c, NKJV)
Psychology clearly has a place in the handling of all kinds of problems located in the dimension of the soul, although there is something lacking, something that can lead to complete healing.
Dr. Neil T. Anderson, in his book The Bondage Breaker: The Next Step, believes in contemporary psychology’s most-used technique, cognitive behavioural therapy, but also points out that the dimension that is missing from psychiatry and psychology is definitely a spiritual perspective: “CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) will not be as effective as it could be if the encourager doesn’t take into account the reality of the spiritual world.”
In these teachings we have often spelled out that the actual spiritual battle takes place in the thoughts of man, and especially in the thoughts of believers (2 Cor. 10:4-5). After all – “As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.” (Prov. 23:7, Joyce Meyer-translation). The Scripture in Rom. 12:2 (NJB) positions it as an absolute principle of the Christian walk of faith: “let the renewing of your minds transform you”. This can happen in psychological terms, by reprogramming the faculty of your soul dimension (as cognitive behavioural therapy does, as we explained in the previous teaching). This approach has great value, but as Dr. Edmund Bourne personally attested, it also has clear limitations. Rom. 8:5-8 (CENT) gives the reason why this is the case: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Therefore Paul emphasises the following in 2 Cor. 10:5: “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ …”
It is of utmost importance that you take control of your thoughts, and re-think certain thoughts, removing other negative ones. Phil. 4:8 (Message) states it in pragmatic terms: “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious–the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”
But this is your active engagement. If you allow Him, the Holy Spirit will release “the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13) within you. This word “exerts energy in you” (ABP), “supernaturally works in you” (ALTNT), “effectuously worketh also in you” (BB), “which has living power in you” (BBE), “which is also inwardly working itself in you” (Rotherham), “which keeps on working in you” (WMNST). What a miraculous happening!
- Selah: Do you really believe in the power of the Word?
- Read: 27-29.
- Memorise: 29:25.
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read Anderson’s book mentioned in the teaching.
