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 book is for counselors and all Christians as they work "to present everyone perfect in Christ" (Col. 1:28).
