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Wisdom, Not Knowledge: Thoughts on Christian Counseling
Everyone needs advice, and everyone gives advice. In a world of dysfunctional families, churches, and societies, professional counseling is in great demand as a solution to our problems. The weak link in this solution is the inability to determine a counselor’s qualifications apart from his professional accreditation. Academics can give you knowledge, but no learning or books can give you wisdom. There are no graduate degrees in love or compassion. You cannot get a PhD in virtue. However, these things are available to everyone freely through Christ.
Counseling needs knowledge, but it needs wisdom even more. Wisdom comes from the Bible, from age and experience, from answered prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). As Christians, our objective is to bring others up to maturity in Christ. To do this, we must have the same qualifications Paul had (the wisdom, the holiness, and the love).
This audiobook is for counselors and all Christians as they work “to present everyone perfect in Christ” (Col. 1:28).
Counseling needs knowledge, but it needs wisdom even more. Wisdom comes from the Bible, from age and experience, from answered prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). As Christians, our objective is to bring others up to maturity in Christ. To do this, we must have the same qualifications Paul had (the wisdom, the holiness, and the love).
This audiobook is for counselors and all Christians as they work “to present everyone perfect in Christ” (Col. 1:28).
- GenresCounselling
Audible Audio
Published January 28, 2022
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Jim Wilson
20 books74 followersJim Wilson has worked as a pastor and director of Community Christian Ministries (Moscow, Idaho) for over forty years. Before that, he served in the Navy as an officer for nine years and then with Officer's Christian Fellowship for another twelve years. Jim has authored a number of books, including How to Be Free from Bitterness, and is well-known for his practical Bible teaching on relationships and evangelism. He was married to his wife, Bessie, from 1952 until her death in 2010, and is the father of four, grandfather of fifteen (one of whom is in heaven), and great-grandfather of twenty-five and counting.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 15, 2023
Short and wise principles for counseling. My notes and quotes. Some gems here:
- teach the qualities of God with the qualities of God
- for those less inclined to read and are more immature, give them one passage or one chapter a day to read. And this is not legalism, it is just pointing to people what they need. Legalism would be: do this and you'll automatically grow or God will have to bless you. It is not legalistic to tell people they need to eat
- what counts most is love. Empathize with your counselees and teach as one who loves them because you must love them
- Even if you don't have any wisdom to give, love alone might cure the problem.
** Super encouraging to me for when we feel like we are not gaining traction or when we don't know what to say. sometimes just us being there and listening and trying to be helpful is enough to make some progress
- tough love is fine if love is in the mix. Too often, tough love is just tough
- I found myself having to repent here of all the times with my wife that I have not been gentle, I've not been patient, I have not been hopeful, and I have lacked faith that God would actually do something with my words or husbanding
- listen well. Part of listening well is hearing the person but not taking everything they say at face value. Especially when it comes to talking about other people- Proverbs 18:7
- use a non-Christian's problem as an opportunity to show them you care and to listen well and as a stepping stone to the gospel because that is their real need
- God will bring people to you who can benefit from your style and type of communication and personality. So be thoughtful, Yes, but don't stress
- When people really want help, you can put requirements on them.
- Tell people to do things that will change their character.
- I really like his example of the girl who was estranged from her father. He instructed her to give him a hug often. This is a thing you can do without having a heart for it, but over time your heart changes
- three types of depression- biological, psychological, spiritual
- have a depressed person write down all their thoughts and then look at them with them and ask if they're from God or not
- The false guilt chapter was great.
- a perfectionist is actually the weaker brother when it comes to cleanliness, devotional time, etc
- false guilt can be a great cause of depression and is itself sin. We pay too much attention to the opinions and standards of ourselves or man instead of God's
- God died for your sins. And one of your great sins is not treating yourself the way God treats you. Being unable to forgive yourself and let things go and rejoice in your forgiveness
- Make people answer their own questions- it'll be hard for them to rebel against themselves
- teach the qualities of God with the qualities of God
- for those less inclined to read and are more immature, give them one passage or one chapter a day to read. And this is not legalism, it is just pointing to people what they need. Legalism would be: do this and you'll automatically grow or God will have to bless you. It is not legalistic to tell people they need to eat
- what counts most is love. Empathize with your counselees and teach as one who loves them because you must love them
- Even if you don't have any wisdom to give, love alone might cure the problem.
** Super encouraging to me for when we feel like we are not gaining traction or when we don't know what to say. sometimes just us being there and listening and trying to be helpful is enough to make some progress
- tough love is fine if love is in the mix. Too often, tough love is just tough
- I found myself having to repent here of all the times with my wife that I have not been gentle, I've not been patient, I have not been hopeful, and I have lacked faith that God would actually do something with my words or husbanding
- listen well. Part of listening well is hearing the person but not taking everything they say at face value. Especially when it comes to talking about other people- Proverbs 18:7
- use a non-Christian's problem as an opportunity to show them you care and to listen well and as a stepping stone to the gospel because that is their real need
- God will bring people to you who can benefit from your style and type of communication and personality. So be thoughtful, Yes, but don't stress
- When people really want help, you can put requirements on them.
- Tell people to do things that will change their character.
- I really like his example of the girl who was estranged from her father. He instructed her to give him a hug often. This is a thing you can do without having a heart for it, but over time your heart changes
- three types of depression- biological, psychological, spiritual
- have a depressed person write down all their thoughts and then look at them with them and ask if they're from God or not
- The false guilt chapter was great.
- a perfectionist is actually the weaker brother when it comes to cleanliness, devotional time, etc
- false guilt can be a great cause of depression and is itself sin. We pay too much attention to the opinions and standards of ourselves or man instead of God's
- God died for your sins. And one of your great sins is not treating yourself the way God treats you. Being unable to forgive yourself and let things go and rejoice in your forgiveness
- Make people answer their own questions- it'll be hard for them to rebel against themselves
December 5, 2022
Just ok. Mostly anecdotal. The title of this book pretty much sums up every chapter. Mr. Wilson had certainly seen his share of Christian counseling sessions over the past 9 decades of his life. The most helpful portions of this book was the fact that he was able to pull so much from his experience counseling, and the corresponding stories were interesting.
March 30, 2022
Many gems in here on how the counsellor should practically address things common in our time--self esteem, false guilt, lack of joy and many more. A quick and refreshing read for those carrying the counseling load.
January 9, 2018
Very good, and not just for counselors! This book includes chapters on common problems like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem; it's a very helpful read for people struggling with those things.
October 11, 2022
Classic Jim Wilson. No fluff, accessible, incredibly practical.
December 21, 2022
This is a spectacular book and straight-up just a wonderful thought process throughout! I can't say enough, truly 5 stars!
January 7, 2023
This was a wonderful book. If you are a pastor or are a leader in your church, read this book. Take notes, understand how Scripture teaches us to counsel those under our care.
May 14, 2023
Good practical wisdom from Jim Wilson that he had learned through his experience in christian counseling.
October 12, 2025
Seriously practical helps and considerations. Recommended for anyone who counsels others.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews