The approach to medicine and Biblical Counseling is an oft-debated topic that can be filled with confusion and controversy. However, it does not have to remain a divisive issue. Biblical counselors, church leaders, and believers invested in discipleship must strike the balance between shunning the use of all medications and helping guide counselees in making sure that medication is neither the first resort nor the ultimate rescue. Dr Robert Smith rightly said,

“Not every biblical counseling problem has medical implications.”

With great care and prayer, Christians involved in biblical counseling can help discern the difference and respond to counselees in a way that is intentional, informed, and aligned with Scripture.

First, we must understand the distinctions between medicine and biblical counseling. Medical professionals use manuals such as The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to guide their practice. It is the job of medical professionals to gather information from a patient’s symptoms and history, elucidate the problem areas (what we might traditionally call diagnosis), and then decide on a treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and cure disease. The ultimate goal of a medical professional is to eradicate disease and improve a patient’s quality and quantity of life.

Biblical counselors, on the other hand, are guided by the truths of God in Scripture. They gather information from a counselee’s presenting issues and history, elucidate the problem areas, and then decide on the best course of action to give hope in the immediate struggle and address the root causes with biblical thought renewal. The ultimate goal of a biblical counselor is to reconcile others to Christ and lead them to transformation in Christlikeness.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

While there are distinctions and different goals between medicine and biblical counseling, they are not mutually exclusive. To pursue the most effective plan for our counselees, we must remember that the Bible teaches that the physical and spiritual aspects of a person are intertwined (Gen 2:7). Furthermore, the Bible speaks of our physical bodies needing care and even treatment (Prov 17:22, 1 Tim 5:23). Ed Welch, a seasoned biblical counselor and a licensed psychologist, stated,

“The body is no second-class citizen. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit and is indispensable to the activity of the heart. The whole person consists of body and heart together – both are essential.”

So, the question ought not to be whether or not a counselee should use medication of any sort, but rather, how can we help ensure a counselee is using medication in appropriate and proper ways as a tool in transformation towards Christlikeness?

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Here are some practical questions and considerations biblical counselors should be encouraged to discuss with their counselees:

Has the counselee established care with a trusted physician/medical team?

Any counselee showing any physical symptoms (including fatigue, pain, recurrent headaches, etc.) should discuss these symptoms with their physician and address and rule out physical ailments (including but not limited to anemia, thyroid issues, heart issues, vitamin deficiencies).

Is the counselee following the prescribed regimen of their physician if currently using any medications?

Any history, past or present, of medication abuse, including self-prescription, overuse, etc., should be taken seriously and accountability measures discussed before other medications are used.

The severity of the struggle—Does the severity of the struggle interfere with daily life? To what extent? Is it causing or compounding physical symptoms?

Particularly when dealing with issues not rooted in a physical cause, consider the following when discussing the use of behavior-modifying medications: Suppose there is significant disruption to one’s daily life or a new and increasing physical struggle. In these cases, medication may help stabilize a counselee so that he or she is able to actively participate in the counseling process.

How long has the counselee been struggling? What is the timeline? Has there been a sudden change or increase in the struggle?

A chronic struggle, particularly one that has experienced a sudden rise in intensity or change in symptoms, deserves a closer look. It is possible that medication may reduce certain symptoms and thus help to expose other root causes, whether physical or spiritual.

What remedies has the counselee tried for the struggle? How diligent has the counselee been in seeking transformation?

Suppose a counselee has been faithful in counseling and accountability or tried multiple over-the-counter or holistic remedies and seen little to no change. Here, a course of prescription medication may help by calming or reducing distractions so that the counselee can make fresh headway in the counseling process.

What is the plan for the prescribed medication?

The counselee should discuss with their physician the short or long-term plans for the medication, the necessary follow-up, side effects, and the possibility and process of tapering off the medication under supervision.

In His Grace, the Lord has given us multiple tools and skills to navigate life in a fallen world. Examples include the use of machines to make work easier, the development of anesthesia to take away pain and allow for more successful surgeries, and the invention of light bulbs and telephones to enable life-saving communication and procedures. We benefit from the conveniences of modern technology and scientific advancement in almost every aspect of our modern lives. From livestream of worship services to airplanes bringing missionaries to the jungle, modern advancements, used in appropriate and proper ways, can be aids in the pursuit of Christlikeness.

Biblical counselors, pastors, and ministry leaders do not need to be afraid of the intersection of biblical counseling and medicine. It is our responsibility to exhort others to glorify God in every area of their lives. This includes the way in which they care for their physical bodies.

May the Lord grant you much wisdom and grace as you seek to help and point others to Him!