“…wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jude 13, ESV)

If we are honest, we don’t like talking about hell, or judgement for that matter. We don’t understand it, and culturally we have really misconstrued hell. In fact, for eight such myths on Hell, I recommend this article by Sam Storms.

I find that in counseling talking about sin, judgement and hell are really important, and why I practice nouthetic counseling.

The three basic tenants of nouthetic counseling are confrontation, concern, and change:

Confrontation. Using scripture, we speak into peoples life situations We help counselee’s see how their sin, the sins of others and of the world is impacting them (James 1:22–25).

•Concern. Out of authentic concern, we seek the welfare of the counselee. Its a deep connection, to help them. It is not out of our flawed human judgement, but against the judgement of how scripture addresses their individual circumstances and situation, to speak life and light into death and darkness.

• Change. The goal of nouthetic counseling is to bring change. By drawing deeply from the wisdom of God, the counselor desires that the counselee experience the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit who enables us to “walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous” (Proverbs 2:20). Those who do not walk in these ways, are indeed on the path of destruction.

We confront sin, out of concern for judgement, to help change the path.

As Jude has been describing, there are certain evil men who have crept into the church. They are like wolves who copy their “father”, the master thief, who seeks only to kill and destroy. He has had his followers since Cain, who despise the law and goodness of Gods kingdom. Who have sought only to fulfill their own desires, pride and insatiable appetite. For them, hell, the darkest of dark has been reserved. They will face judgement.

As John mentioned, there have been hired hands, who God has placed to protect the “sheep”. Some have been faithful, following their “Master” Christ, modeling the Good Shepherd. They have sacrificed much, and some have sacrificed all. Others have been chased out by wolves.

Every generation of the church has its martyrs and heros. Likewise, the thief changes his tactics and deploys his wolves. Liberal theology, deconstruction, Inclusion, secularism, spirituality and mysticism. The list goes on, and on. Supposed faith leaders sit at the table of the Lord, feeding themselves, and without fear they suppress the Truth of scripture to support their own understanding. They live like dreamers, deceiving themselves.

Stars they could have been, firm in their place, emitting beautiful light. Fulfilling their role in Gods universe. Instead they wander. They have no purpose. Their light dims. They will be cast into the darkest of darkness.

Biblical counseling is first and foremost, for the church.

We confront these wayward waves, and wandering stars. We confront their sin. Not because we are more righteousness, or out of vain piety, but because we are concerned for them. If we do not, they will continue on the path of destruction. They will not only hurt themselves, but hurt others. The wolves come in, the sheep get hurt or pulled away. When our sheep get hurt, we need to care for them, and when they get lead unto the paths of destruction, we need to go bring them back into the sheepfold. Our Good Shepherd has left us to take care of the flock. He has given His word for this purpose.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Peace be with you.