What does the Bible have to do with mental health?

The Bible is not a psychology textbook, nor is it a book on psychology. The text inside does suggest it is the Word of God (as the designer of the human machine), written to help humans know Him, follow Him into a life lived well and then into an infinite love relationship after death (2Tim 3:16, 1John 1:13). If this is true, then there will likely be important pieces of information contained within the pages of Scripture for practitioners of psychological healing and mental health.  Here is one example.

Matthew 15:1-18 is the story of Jesus walking into a restaurant with his students, sitting at the table and eating without first washing his hands.  The local religious leaders are incensed, not because of concerns for germs (which were not discovered until eighteen hundred years later) or hygiene – but rather because the belief at the time was that eating dirty food would defile that person’s spirit. Jesus’ response was simple – addressing the biological, psychological, and spiritual levels simultaneously:

"Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man” (Matt 15:17-18). One possible therapeutic application of this scriptural concept would suggest that what people choose to notice says more about them than the person they are talking about. 

So What -

Contextually, the core concept is: What comes out of the speaker’s mouth describes the speaker.  This concept can be a powerful tool in working with individuals having problems in relationships with others or in how they view themselves. This is also a powerful tool in working with marriages.  Many people approach communication as if what they hear from another person reflects something about their self. 

Path to Freedom -

So many conflicts, both marital and vocational, have to do with defending one’s self against perceived injustices. Were each member able to listen to the other person’s commentary as an authentic disclosure of that person, the motivation to defend one’s self often evaporates. 

The use of this skill can often result in a sense of peace either for the individual trying to protect themselves from the pain of verbal attacks, even when they cannot get the other person to stop. The skill also sets an important foundation in overcoming male/female language differences between husbands and wives. This specific intervention is one of the most difficult, and in therapy we work to master it. This is one of many skills, from Scripture, effective in the therapeutic setting.

Consider this for next time…

“What about those male/female language differences?”

And “What happens when the machine breaks?”

If you want more information on this topic, or want help in applying it to your relationship, you can reach us at:
www.SpiritCounselingTx.com
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