Why Secular Psychology Cannot Help You

Psalms 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Secular psychologists are all false prophets! They offer no hope to their patients. Whereas the inspired Word of God teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is the ONLY source of true hope for humanity, secular psychology will NEVER mention the name of Jesus as the source of hope and healing.

1st Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

When a secular psychologist fails to tell their clients about Jesus, how can they offer anyone hope? 1st Corinthians 15:19-20, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” Our text passage of Scripture from a Psalms 1:1-3 warns against walking in the COUNSEL of the ungodly. This is why you should never seek counsel from a secular psychology.

Now, if you have a mental health problem that is beyond the realm of biblical counseling, then you might need medication (drugs) to cope with your affliction. So, you may need help from a licensed psychiatrist who can legally prescribe drugs (a psychologist cannot prescribe drugs). I heard my favorite preacher, Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), say in a sermon that some people do need help from a psychiatrist. I fully agree. There are some crazy people in this world who need help that is beyond the capabilities of the local New Testament church. Albeit, having said that, I firmly believe that at least 95% of people who go to a psychiatrist don't need to. Their problem is sin. There problem is rebellion against the God of the inspired King James Bible. My long time ministry friend, Pastor Max Younce (1935-2023), preached a helpful sermon on this very topic...

Pastor Max D. Younce Human Wisdom Verses Divine Wisdom 1 of 2

The heathen world (including secular psychology) doesn't recognize sin as the core culprit of humanity's problems and failures. Secular psychologists won't ever tell you the truth that your mental problems are likely caused by your unwillingness to receive Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and that living in rebellion against the inspired Holy Bible will ruin your life. Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” A non-Christian counselor forgets God. He or she legally is not even allowed to counsel you on the basis of Scriptural teachings. If they did, they could lose their professional license as a psychologist, and risk rejection and scorn from heathen peers.

The Holy Bible teaches that in many cases God wants us to suffer. Yes, you read right (1st Peter 1:7-9). Suffering helps to conform us more into the image of Christ. The Apostle Paul teaches us as believers to rejoice in our afflictions, health problems and hardships, because when we are weak we are strong in Christ (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10). This is the exact opposite of what the foolish world teaches! The world teaches the foolish idea popularize by Charles Darwin in the 19th century that only the strong survive. But the Bible teaches that only the weak survive in Christ. God will use a proud Christian (James 4:6). Secular psychology won't tell you the truth that suffering is meaningful and even necessary for Christian growth.

Whereas the heathen world tells us to believe in our self, the inspired Holy Bible commands us instead to trust in God (Mark 11:22). Secular psychology won't tell you the importance of forgiving others on the basis that God forgives those who trust in His only begotten Son (Ephesians 4:32). Since all my sins have been forgiven by faith alone in Jesus Christ, I am commanded by God to forgive others. To refuse to forgive those people who have hurt us in the past may cause mental depression, frustration and anger issues. The first step to forgive others is to let God forgive you, by trusting Christ as your Savior. You will never be able to love others until you first allow God to love you (1st John 4:19).

1st Peter 2:2-3 tells us to “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” A secular psychologist won't tell you this truth. Psychologists will often blame your parents, you, your spouse or other external factors in your life, but they won't tell you what the Bible says. Proverbs 14:27, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Only a fool tries to counsel someone how to live a happy life apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

I recently met a 52 year old woman who went to school in her youth to become a secular psychologist. She couldn't even carry on a normal conversation with me without speaking of God as merely the “energy” in the universe, and talking about maintaining proper “human frequencies” for good health and wellbeing. I discerned in less than a minute that she sadly has been sucked into the Devil's New Age movement. I shared the Gospel with her and offered a free hard copy of Michael P. Bowen's helpful book, “I Never Knew You.” Tragically, she rejected the book and said she wasn't interested in learning how to go to Heaven. One day in eternity she will rue the day that she turned down the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I have learned in life that secular psychology and New Age are often closely related. The problem is that the heathen world are attempting to solve their own dilemmas without the inspired Word of God. 2nd Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” The inspired Word of God contains the answers to life's problems. Secular psychology fails to recognize the reality of sin, which is the core of man's miseries. In sharp contrast, the Holy Bible identifies the origin of sin in the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12), and identifies the remedy for sin through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).