Today we will continue looking at the concept of what Christian Counseling is.
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The second meaning of Nouthesis
The second basic meaning of the concept of Nouthesis is that problems are solved through Christian counseling by VERBAL MEANS. This school of thought believes Nouthesis to mean: training using words - utterances, training by words of encouragement, training by reproof, training by blame, by remonstrance: that is by protest or complaint or by discipline.
The distinguishing feature of this concept of Nouthesis from others is that, it is training by word of MOUTH. Here the concept of Nouthesis implies person -to- person verbal warnings or confrontations. Hence Christian counseling in its biblical usage means changing the life pattern of an individual to conform to biblical standards.
The third meaning of Nouthesis
The third basic meaning of the concept of Nouthesis lies primarily in the purpose or motive behind engaging in it. What is your purpose of confronting or reprimanding someone nouthetically? This school of thought believes that the meaning of Nouthesis should revolve around the MOTIVE.
They believe that counseling can be used to build or destroy an individual. In 1 Cor 4:14 Paul states,
“I am not writing these things to shame you but to warn you as my beloved children” (NLT).
The term expressed here is that of the concern of parent for his [spiritual] child (ren). The picture of a parent warning his child but in his heart underlies love is being painted here.
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Also in Eph 6:4, the importance of the parent /child relationship is stressed. Paul warns parents as such,
“Fathers do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather bring them up with discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (NLT).
He encouraged parents to bring up and nurture their children in the way of the Lord. In Col 3:20-21, he advised both parents and children alike, saying,
“Children always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged” (NLT),
buttressing the argument of the proponent of this school of thought that counseling is all about motive.
Even in extreme circumstances, an unruly Christian should be confronted or counseled as a brother using Christ-like brotherly love (2 Thes. 3:15). The goal is to meet the obstacles, problems, hardships, ups and downs of life head-on and overcome them verbally. It is not to punish but to help.
Nouthesis should be motivated by love and deep concern whereby the individual being counseled is counseled for their own good, verbally. It is not a platform for personal attacks or a courtroom where judgment is passed. As noted by Paul in Col.1:28, Every man should be counseled for his or her own good in order that he or she may be presented mature, complete and perfect to Christ.
It should be noted that the act of verbalizing, uttering or giving vocal expression to the mind of God concerning the situation is very important for both parties. It is also a very basic and yet important tenant of our Christian faith. Think about how we are saved by our confession. I will touch more on the power of the tongue in subsequent teachings.
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