49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing - #41 I Should Counsel Out of My Wisdom

Summary

Mark Virkler reflects on believing he had to counsel people using his own knowledge and training. He says this approach sometimes helped, but could feel slow and fail to reach the root of a person’s struggles. Through a prayerful journaling dialogue, he describes learning to rely instead on Jesus, whom he calls the “Wonderful Counselor,” and to help people listen for spiritual guidance.

Virkler recommends a group-based approach: several counselors pray and wait quietly for the Holy Spirit to provide an impression, word, or picture, then share it gently with the person seeking help. He says silence can be part of the process and that working as a team can reduce the pressure on any one counselor. He also mentions using Zoom to bring a small group together.

Strategies and Practices

• Invite spiritual guidance: Rather than relying only on personal knowledge, pray and wait for insight.
• Counsel as a team: Gather multiple counselors around one person. Virkler says this creates more opportunities for insight and eases pressure on the individual counselor.
• Allow quiet and stillness: Don’t rush to fill silence; treat it as part of waiting and listening.
• Guide the person seeking help to focus:
  • Fix their attention on Jesus.
  • Tune in to what they perceive.
  • Share what they believe Jesus is saying.
• Gather in practical ways: Small groups can meet in person or remotely, including by Zoom.
• Reflect and journal: Take a walk, review relevant Bible passages, journal, and ask God for guidance about becoming a more spiritually attentive counselor.

Presenters and Sources

Mark Virkler (presenter); Christian scripture and the speaker’s account of guidance from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.