Luke 6:39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
As we look at the importance of equipping God's people for inner healing ministry, I need to say a few words about inner healing or healing the scars in the heart. Over they years since 1971 when I first learned about inner healing, we have used various terms to describe the process.
Prayer Therapy
Deliverance
Inner Healing
Prayer Counseling
Renewing the Mind
Care and Cure of the Soul
You may be able to remember other terms. The idea of inner healing derives from the knowledge that many physical, mental, emotional and relational issues arise from childhood scars in the heart and mind. Traditionally this arena was called Care and Cure of the Soul. When I teach in some parts of Europe the term Counseling is usually translated as seelsorge or soul care.
One of my favorite books is by McNeil written long ago. It is on the topic of caring for souls from every era in history. It also covers every religious tradition and especially Jewish and Christian traditions. Thus, despite protestations by some confused Christians it is not a new invention spawned by Freud and modern Psychology. In fact, Freud and his followers drew soul care out of the church and placed it in the Doctor's office. They intruded on the church not vice versa.
The entire book of Proverbs was used as a text for those involved in care and counseling wounded souls. Psalms and Ecclesiastes were also used. Many of the rituals developed by the early church and written about by St. James and others were tried and perfected first in Pastoral Care. James 5 for example is an essential part of the inner healing ministry.
In the early years of Christian growth it was very important to do inner healing. The inner hurts, non-Christian thinking patterns, neurotic ideas, bad habits and sinful family activities were rampant in young Christians. Unfortunately, the modern church has developed a very unbiblical pattern for raising up mature/teleios believers. Jesus and the leaders of the early church had no formal schools, church buildings, etc. They depended upon raising up new leaders by a simple system of being together in worship, study, serving and eating together.
We currently see a spate of famous Pastors falling into immoral behavior and we are shocked. Shocked!! Why were the fault lines and wounded souls not identified and confronted for healing and change much earlier? How did they rise so high and keep their broken hearts hidden? They did it by attending a formal school with no intimate discipling. In that environment they can hide from reality and play the church game.
Getting Help
Most Christians do not face squarely their inner brokenness and pain until there is a crisis at home, work, church, ministry. They can go on no longer. It usually occurs in Mid-Life with a financial, marital, work or physical problem they can no longer hide. The kids rebel, the wife refuses sex, the church board is mad, you find a new "soul mate" in the choir, etc. They have, by that time live in hidden desperation for years. All that can be avoided by getting soul care early in your walk.
To get a comprehensive book on Inner Healing go to my book store and download the eBook pdf. of Breaking Free to be all God Wants Me to Be. It is a powerful, life changing approach to cleaning up scars in the heart. Power Christian Thinking and How to be Me in My Family Tree are also sources of deep healing.
If you are doing ministries of prayer and care also check out the free downloads of the check lists.
Out of the roots come the Fruits
Lay the Axe to the Roots!
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