The government has a “Ways and Means Committee,” and likewise the Discipleship Counselor also needs to be sensitive to the “ways and means” of personal ministry.

Miles Stanford observed, “Truth based upon law will be presented legally–it will be legislated. Truth based upon grace will be shared graciously, in love. ‘Adorn the doctrine of God’ by ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Titus 2:10; Eph. 4:15).”

Dr. Charles Solomon named the Exchanged Life Counseling approach “Spirituotherapy” in honor of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit inspired His written Word, illumines it to the believer’s understanding, and intends to guide the discipleship process (2 Tim. 3:16,17; John 16:13).

A devotional writer counseled that “There are two things that have to be taken into account in communicating truth. Not merely should there be certainty that it is the truth from God, but it must also be suited truth to those whom you address … We are to serve under His direction, and according to His pleasure; not just because opportunity or need offers. We require His direction, and the knowledge of His pleasure…”

The way to counsel those in need is to be good listener, sharing relevant truth by means of the leading and enablement of the Wonderful Counselor. Keep praying for His work in and though the personal ministry process.

“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:4-6).

JBW