Matt Black Biblical Counseling
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Verses for Biblical Counseling

A four-page topical reference of Scripture passages for common counseling needs and patterns of change.

4 pages in the original
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Introduction and Overview

(Approximately) 100 “Go to” Texts for Biblical Counseling

  1. General principles:
  2. The Bible is infallible and sufficient for counseling. II Tim. 3:16-17
  3. Apply the gospel specifically to every problem. Phil. 4:12
  4. You and your counselee are totally dependent upon God for success. John 15:5
  5. Addressing various counseling problems.
  6. Conflict resolution.

Pursue peace. Mt. 5:9

Listen carefully and listen to both sides. Pr. 18:13,17

First address your own sin. Mt. 7:3-5

Confront your erring brother in love. Gal. 6:1-2

Be prepared to follow the steps of church discipline. Mt. 18:15-20

Christians should not sue other Christians in secular courts. I Cor. 6:1f

Even if you do all you can to seek resolution, you may not succeed. Rom. 12:19

  1. Anger

Anger is murder. Mt. 5:21-22

  1. The cause of conflict is sinful desire. James 4:1-6

An angry person is dangerous. Prov. 25:28

  1. Revenge

Don’t take your own revenge. Trust God to do what is right. Rom. 12:19-21

Show love to your enemy. Mt. 5:43-48

  1. Helping people who have been hurt by others (abused).

Bitterness is destructive. Heb. 12:15

Joseph trusted God and thereby forgave his abusers. Gen. 50:18

  1. Communication..

The tongue is a fire. James 3:6f

Use your words to build up, not tear down. Don’t always say whatever is on your mind. Eph. 4:29

Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Js. 1:19-20

Focus on understanding the other person rather than upon being understood. Phil. 2:3-

A gentle answer turns away wrath. Prov. 15:1

  1. Resisting temptation.

God’s promise: you won’t be tempted beyond what you are able. I Cor. 10:13

  1. Joseph’s example. Genesis 39:7-10
  2. Lust.

Lust in the heart is adultery. Mt. 5:27-30

Flee lust. II Tim. 2:22

You are responsible for what you think about. Phil. 4:8-9 (also applies to fear, worry, depression, etc.)

  1. Fear.

The fear of man brings a snare. Prov. 29:25

Trusting in people is idolatry and will ruin you. Jer. 17:5-8

  1. Worry.

Trust God to meet your needs. Mt. 6:25-34

Pray with thanksgiving. Phil. 4:6-7

  1. Depression

Are you depressed because of your sin? Ps. 32

The key to overcoming depression is not a change in your circumstances, but an increase in your faith. Phil. 4:11-13

  1. Addictions.

Addiction is seeking from some idol what God alone gives. Isa. 55:1-2

The root problem is that some love pleasure more than they love God. II Ti. 3:4

Substance abuse is sinful and destructive. Prov. 23:29-35

  1. “Co-dependents” makes the addict their idol. Jer. 17:5-8
  2. Facing trials and calamity.

God sovereignly works all things together for good. Rom. 8:28

God uses trials in your sanctification. James 1:2f

Nothing can separate you from God’s love in Christ. Rom. 8:31-39

  1. Seeking forgiveness.
  2. From God. I John 1:8-10

From those you have wronged. Mt. 5:23-24

  1. Granting forgiveness.

Forgive as you have been forgiven. Eph. 4:32

The story of the unmerciful servant. Mt. 18:21-35

  1. Repentance.

How can you tell if repentance is genuine? II Cor. 7:9-11

An example of true repentance. Psalm 51

  1. Presenting the gospel.

We are saved not by keeping the law, but by Christ’s atoning death. Ro. 3:20-26

  1. Confess your sins. I John 1:8-2:2

The substitution of the Lamb of God for sinners. Isa. 53:4-6

  1. The thief on the cross as an example of salvation by grace. Luke 23:39-43

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Eph. 2:8-9

Consider your old nature dead and your new nature alive in Christ. Rom. 6:11

  1. Assurance of salvation.

If you truly believe in the Lord Jesus, you have been born of God. I Jo. 5:1

  1. If you are one of Christ’s sheep, he keeps you safe. John 10:28-29

If you have no regard for God’s commandments you are still lost. I Jo. 2:3-4

  1. If you have no love for the brethren, you have not been born of God. I Jo. 4:8-9
  2. Sanctification.

The converted sinner is no longer to be labeled by his old deeds. I Cor. 6:9-11

The believer is a new person with a new nature. II Cor. 5:17

God will work to sanctify you. Phil. 1:6

You are responsible to put forth effort in your sanctification. Phil. 2:12-13

Learn and apply the put off and put on dynamic. Eph. 4:22-24

  1. Christ saved us that we might do good works. Titus 2:14
  2. Church involvement.

Regular attendance is mandatory. Heb. 10:25

God wants you to commit (join) making yourself accountable to particular church

leaders. Heb. 13:17

Each of us is to serve. I Pet. 4:10-11

Each of us is to give as God has prospered us. I Cor. 16:2

  1. Work and employment.

God’s design is that you work six days a week. Ex. 20:9

Don’t be a sluggard. Prov. 6:6-11

If someone refuses to work, he should not eat. II Thess. 3:10

Serve God through your vocation. Eph. 6:5-9

  1. Finances.

Planning (budgeting) is wise. Prov. 21:5

Acknowledge God’s sovereignty over your finances. Js. 4:13-17

God gives you the ability to earn. Deut. 8:18

Avoid debt. Prov. 22:7

Don’t make an idol of money, but store up treasure in heaven. Mt. 6:19-21

The love of money leads to every other evil behavior. I Tim. 6:10

Be generous with those in need. I Tim. 6:17-19

Giving to the Lord’s work should be the first item in your budget. Prov. 3:9

Pay your taxes. Mt. 22:17-21

  1. Decision Making/Knowing God’s will.
  2. Wholeheartedly seek wisdom from God. James 1:5 (Also see Proverbs 1-9).

Search for God’s moral will in the Bible. II Tim. 3:16-17

Seek Godly counsel. Pr. 15:22

You can’t know God’s secret will. Deut. 29:29

Submit your plans to God’s sovereign will. Prov. 16:9

Trust God, that his way is best. Prov. 3:5-6

  1. Integrity.

Simply tell the truth. Mt. 5:37

Lying destroys relationships. Eph. 4:25

  1. Family issues.
  2. Marriage is divinely instituted.

God’s design for marriage. Gen. 2:18-23

God’s directive for marriage. Gen. 2:24

  1. The role of the husband.

Loving. Eph. 5:25-30

Understanding. I Pet. 3:7

Serving. John 13:1f

  1. The role of the wife.

Submission. Eph. 5:22-24

Dealing with an unsaved husband. I Pet. 3:1-6 (see context 2:21-25)

  1. Sex.

All sex outside of marriage is wrong. Heb. 13:4 (also see Gen. 2:24)

God wants us to be fruitful (have kids). Gen. 1:28

Your sexuality belongs to your spouse. Don’t deprive him/her. I Cor. 7:3-5

God wants married people to enjoy sex. Prov. 5:18-19 (also Song of Solomon)

  1. Child training.

The duties of children. Eph. 6:1-3

The duties of parents. Eph. 6:4

The necessity of discipline. Prov. 19:18

  1. Divorce.

God hates divorce. Mal. 2:16

What God has joined, let no man separate. Mt. 19:5-6

Adultery is a ground for divorce (the other person broke the covenant). Mt. 19:9

Abandonment by an unbeliever is a ground for divorce. I Cor. 7:15

Don’t leave your unbelieving spouse or drive him/her away. I Cor. 7:12