Freedom in Christ

Jesus’ first sermon is found in the Bible in Luke 4:14-19.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.  He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then vs. Today

Jesus’ ministry was about Freedom. He ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit to set the captives free. But this same Jesus who moved with power and compassion 2000 years ago, still moves today - touching the hearts and lives of people.

Freedom Looks differently in the life of each individual. There are times during counseling sessions when techniques and modalities will give way to the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, as Christian counselors we can rely upon more than psychological techniques or our own human effort and wisdom. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the true counselor and He desires to lead counselors in truth that transcends knowledge. He knows what will bring healing and hope to all of us.

Reliance upon God during counseling sessions can reveal spiritual issues that manifest in emotional, psychological, and physical ways. Holy Spirit led ministry also helps to first identify, and then replace lies that one believes about oneself or about God. Anytime an untruth is exposed it becomes weakened. The stronghold that the lie has built within our soul also becomes weakened. As light (God’s Truth) is shed upon the event, and received in the heart of the client, it breaks the spiritual bondage attached to the past event or trauma.

When invited into past and current events, the Lord's healing presence brings grace, truth, healing and victory. Tremendous results can be achieved within a limited number of sessions.