Can mankind unlock someone’s heart?
No, only the Lord can do unlock the human heart. Then, why counsel someone if mankind cannot?
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God work together to unlock the human heart according to Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (ESV)
As a biblical counselor, you can understand the motives and intents of the heart when you listen to what someone says since “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (ESV – Luke 6:45).
God wants people to know what is in their hearts. He already knows, but often (you and I and the counselees we are privileged to serve) people do not know what is in their own hearts! As a biblical counselor, this is why the BIBLE is so vital to counseling as it is the ONLY TOOL that is able to discern the heart motives of a human being and the Bible only does so when the Holy Spirit works in partnership with it!
So why do any other type of counseling? Why mix secular theories with the sacred Word of God? Is God’s Word lacking?
I think not.
In fact, I say God’s Word is totally sufficient and needs no help from man. God’s Word is powerful like a two-edged sword WHEN it works with the Holy Spirit through a submitted, biblical counselor like you and me.
-Mark (God’s Word is an amazing weapon that Christians often underestimate; why use anything else to help people? The Gospel is the only life-giving message!)