Coun 711 biblical word study free essay sample

Abstract This paper explores the Bible by thoroughly examining three words related to counseling and three words related to addiction. In addition, general biblical usage of the words are discussed and as the meaning and where the words are found in the Bible. Specifically, the words are explored in the Old Testament and New Testament. Finally, core biblical themes and personal views are explored. Biblical Word Study There are many themes and specific words in the Bible that can be applied to counseling and addiction. This Word Study is an in-depth exploration into 3 specific counseling-related words in addition to the exploration of 3 addiction-related words. By discovering, where and how the words were used in the Old and New Testaments, I was able to decipher how the meanings changed over times and their sometimes diverse definitions. Biblical Words Related to Counseling Counsel The specific word, counsel, appears in the Bible 275 times and 8 different words in Hebrew that translate to counsel (Bible. com). In scripture the advice meaning of counsel is used in Jdg 20:7 as â€Å"Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your advice and counsel here,† (NASB). In this case, the Israelites were supposed to speak up and decide what they wanted to do. Although typically advise and counsel are used in a positive contex, 2 Chronicles 22:3 shows that when the Ahazia is speaking the scripture declares â€Å"He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, for his mother gave him evil advice,† (NET). In addition, counsel is also used as verb and typically associated with the military. In 2 Samual 15:12, Absalom was seeking advice and â€Å"sent for Ahtithopel the Gilonite, David’s counselor,† (NASB). In Numbers 31:16 counsel is used in the scripture â€Å"Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the mater of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the lord,† (NASB). In this case, the meaning of counsel is speech, or the word and does not necessarily mean advice like the English definition. New Testament Usage of Counsel The word counsel appears less frequently in the New Testament, but is used in similar ways. Of the 3 different Greek words used to translate, the most commonly used word is boule. The word boule comes from a word meaning â€Å"a will† (Vine, 2005). In addition, it can mean a plan, purpose, and decide. When Joseph of Arimathea saw the murder of Christ, he went to Pilot to acquire the burial rights of his Lord because he â€Å"had not consented to the counsel and the deed,† (Luke 23:51 NASB) of the religious leaders involved. In other scriptures boule is used as the counsel of God in Luke 7:30 where â€Å"But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him,† (NIV). It is also similarly used in Acts 2:23 saying, â€Å"He was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,† (KJV). Wisdom Wisdom appears 234 times in 222 verses in the King James Version (blueletterbible.org). Wisdom and its variations are used verbs and adjectives and represented by several different Hebrew words. The most common Hebrew word that is used and translated into English is chakam. Chakam can be defined as to be wise, to become wise, act wisely, teach wisdom, instruct, and to deceive (blueletterbible.org). Old Testament Usage of Wisdom For example, in Exodus 1:10, the context of wisdom is used in the oppression by the new pharaoh: â€Å"Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land,† (NASB). Also in regards to wisdom, the Greek word â€Å"tem† is used as inner man, mind, will heart, and understanding (blueletterbible.org). In scripture, tem is used by addressing the skilled tabernacle workmen in Exodus 35:10, â€Å"And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded,† (NASB). New Testament Usage of Wisdom In the New Testament, words like wisdom and wisely are translated from the Greek word â€Å"phronimos† (blueletterbible.org). It is translated to mean prudent, sensible, and wise (Vine, 2006). In Luke 1:17, phronimos is used when the angel says â€Å"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord,† (NKJ). Throughout the New Testament, it appears that wisdom is mostly referred to as something gained through life experiences or experiences from God. It seems to also be implied that wisdom is the best in old age. Help The word help appears 147 times in 140 verses in the New American Standard Bible (blueletterbible.org). In Hebrew, the word yÄ•shuw`ah, appears the most frequently in correspondence with verses about help. It used approximately 78 times in the Old Testament. The outline of biblical usage shows that salvation, deliverance, welfare, prosperity, deliverance, salvation, and victory are all possible usages of yÄ•shuw`ah. Old Testament Usage of Help The usage of help is present in Isaiah 49:8 when the servant of the Lord says â€Å"In a favorable time I have answered You, And in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep You and give You for a covenant of the people, To restore the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages,† (NASB). Help is also referred to in a military sense requesting parternship and assistance in a time of war. This is specifically used in the book Joshua declaring â€Å"Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron and to Piram king of Jarmuth and to Japhia king of Lachish and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up to me and help me, and let us attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel, (NASB). New Testament Usage of Help The Greek word parakleÌ„tos translates into the English comforter, helper, or advocate (blueletterbible.org). In the Gospel of John, it is referenced that a helper would come after Jesus’ resurrection. Specifically, this reference is used in John 14:16, 26 with the scripture stating â€Å"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another helper, that he may abide with you for ever;. But the comforter/advocate the spirit the holy, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,† (NASB). The helper that is referenced in the book of John is essentially represents the spirit of truth sent from the Father. Wine The word wine in the Bible appears 262 times and in 237 verses in the New American Standard Bible (blueletterbible.org). There are several different words used for alcoholic beverage in Hebrew and at least 5 in Greek. Depending on the verse read, wine might be viewed as a blessing from God or beverage that can ben sinfully abused. Old Testament Usage of Wine In Proverbs 23:20, drunkenness is viewed in the scripture stating Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags,† (NASB). Similarly, in Isaiah 5:11, it is a sin to partake in drinking without respecting and thanking the Lord stating â€Å"Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands,† (NASB). New Testament Usage of Wine In the New Testament, it is common for wine to be used as medicine. This is evident in Luke 10:34 when â€Å" He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him (NRSV)†. In addition, wine was used a stomach soother that one could easily administer to themselves. This concept appears in Timothy 5:23 stating â€Å"No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (NRSV) Desire The Bible defines desire in a limited amount of ways. First, the Hebrew word avah, is used as incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, and prefer (blueletterbible.org). Second, the Hebrew word P’al can be used in place of to ask, request, desire, pray, make petition, and to seek. God instilled desires in humans for endeavors, triumphs, and the pleasures He has gifted. However, some desires are destructive, and the Bible usually calls lusts. These desires are often shown as cravings for satisfaction of the physical appetites as in food, alcohol, sex, money, and pleasure. Old Testament Usage of Desire After Adam and Eve’s creation, God put them in Eden and told them of their responsibilities. In Eden, God purposefully let them be exposed to desires and temptations of Satan. Desire is recognized, the fall of man, in Genesis 3:6 â€Å"When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate (NASB) In addition, Satan is referenced again by desire in Genesis 4:7, the Lord says to Cain, â€Å"If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.† (NASB). New Testament Usage of Desire Desire in the New Testament is represented in James 4:1-3. Although James does not give specific examples of desires in regards to what is causing the fights amongst Christians, it could represent a number of desires. In this case, desire could represent the desire to have one’s own way, desire for status, desire to make one look good, or the desire to get even. The desires are different and diverse but all derive from Satan. Restraint Restraint is derived from the Hebrew word ma`tsowr and can also mean hindrance, (blueletterbible.org). Similarly, self-control is the restraint over one’s emotions, actions, impulses, and desires. Self-control is a theme in the Bible and used frequently throughout. Old Testament Usage of Restraint In Proverbs 25:28, restraint is a theme by declaring, â€Å"like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit,† (NASB). If a man has no self-control over his emotions or his will, he is defenseless. Self-control is essential for success and also plays a key role in forms of recovery. Core Biblical Themes The core biblical themes in this word study were primarily temptation, self-control, and faith. Temptation ranged from the Old Testament and the New Testament, but represented the same thing: Satan. Satan is everywhere and is often masked by desires and temptations. It takes self-control and restraint to overcome the temptation, which, can only be done with faith. The word study counseling related words and addiction related words all tired into to each other nicely. Perhaps the most parallels were between desire and restraint. When one ignores restraint and self-discipline, they yield to their occasionally selfish desires. Fortunately, scripture is there to warn and guide those struggling with urges and lead them to a more righteous path. Personally, this was the most challenging assignment of my counseling career. Although most of the assignments I do at Liberty are related to the Bible, I have never done one quite as intense as this one. I learned more than I anticipated through this assignment and also made many connections between addiction and the Bible. I now know specifically where to turn to in the Bible when I reference addiction for my future clients. This word study also shed light on topics where I was unsure of the Bible’s stance. For instance, I learned a great deal of the specifics on the Bible’s take on alcohol. Everything that I gained in this assignment will help me in the future with clients.