Psychology And Christianity
THE REASON TO STUDY PSYCHOLOGY
A Christian must be vigilant. He must be well read. As there are false teachers in the church, we must be able to understand the Bible and the error of heretics contradicting it. It is not only those who claim to be Christians that err, but there are also those in intellectual institutions who bring false ideas against the faith. We Christians must be able to stand against any false idea or heresy.
We do not have to spend a lot of time on studies that do not edify, but we should be able to discern easily after having studied the Bible what is good and what is erroneous.
Also, there are some things in studying psychology that may help a Christian develop his own life, which I hope I can show you without a lot of writing. This page has the basic things a Christian should know at the college level, and even at the ultimate level, which the Bible only can lead you. The links will help you learn more. Nevertheless, the Christian's main study is the Bible.
THE SOUL
The soul is the spiritual totality of a human being. It possesses divinity because it is part of the human body, which God formed (yitzer, Ge. 2:7), gave the breath of life and built (yiven, Gn. 2:22). The body is part earthy and part directly divine: The soul of anyone regardless of his phylogenetic lineage could never have come about without God's breath having been breathed into the first human. Thus, all humans have a biological (made from dust) and spiritual (the breath of God) evidence tracing back to the creativity and divinity of God.
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7, KJV)
The soul of man in its beginning was a reflection of God, in His image (Ge. 1:26). Previous to the creation of the highly developed human, the animal, a living creature (which is also a living soul), came into being through the command of God:
“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.” (Ge.1:20, KJV)
So after God had created everything, he saw that it was very good.
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Ge. 1:31, KJV)
God, we see implicitly through nature, wanted the man to have a sexually attractive mate. So he made a woman for Adam. The souls of man and woman are similar but have different, physical attributes because woman is a feminine counterpart form of man. Eve was a 2.0 version taken and built from the biological part of man, his rib, and thus given (called) a feminine form (isha) of the male name (ish).
“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Ge. 2:21-23, KJV)
THE FLESH AND THE MIND
The term “flesh” refers to the spiritual part of a human soul that has a tendency toward base desires; it does not mean mere skin or meat, but perhaps the appetite or lust of the organic part or whole body. The state of Eve's soul fell after her sin in the garden. Before that, everything God had made was “... very good”. Adam sinned through the woman's temptation and his soul fell to a lower level also. Neither human being was sinless afterward. Their soul realized a change from its former state. Their consciousness of themselves was different than at first. The female and male's spiritual record had been blemished; they were no longer innocent. Even though they did not have to report to legal authorities (there were none), they did have to personally account to God.
THE MIND
The woman's mind was negatively influenced by a demonic super ego, someone with a detrimental knowledge or state of knowledge different than she formerly had. Satan proposed to her a false idea and result, contradicting what God had told her (verse 3.3). And she passed the negative super ego's influence on her to the man. Since then, after the spiritual deception and fall of both, mankind has had a problem with making moral decisions. Our souls inherited a lack of ability to be free of sin, an attribute that our progenitors once had but lost. They must have been wonderful creatures before the fall into sin.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (KJV)
WORKS OF THE FLESH
Works of the flesh are forms of disobedience to God's direction. A person that commits these sins misuses his mind. They are conscious acts. (See ancient Greek thought: Three Platonic Theories. The Greeks were spiritually lost due to worshiping false gods and lacked the super ego of the Hebrews, who were taught God's law in another part of the world, but they sought out things about the human mind and soul.) Eve allowed Satan to cause her to listen to his heretical proposition, she did not stop his deception at the mind level but continued on to eat the forbidden fruit. The acknowledgment of nakedness and shame that was recognized afterward by Eve and Adam manifested their error.
Gal. 5: 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
LUSTS WITHOUT SIN
Babies do not have manifestations of “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) as grown-ups because they haven't reached an age or intelligent state of mind to have an initiative or use reasoning (logismou) to satisfy the desires (epithumatikon) as a young child, teen or adult. Wanting food or water does not necessarily indicate an evil desire, it can be a natural desire. A baby crying because it is hungry does not violate God's law or use its mind and body in a negative way because it doesn't know God's law, or even right from wrong. Nevertheless, it is in a body that will eventually develop and realize in some erring cases its desire to satisfy lacks the perfect ability to achieve without negative moral ramifications, including guilt and shame.
As people grow older, the fallen nature inherited from our original progenitors manifests itself in our soul also. The flesh, in its more evil sense, makes itself aware to the individual and others. Some psychologists, lacking a more spiritual (Christian) view and nomenclature, have used the term “id”, referring generally to the senses and Freud's idea related to a form of drive for sex. (See Jewish Psychotherapist.) Nevertheless, the base desire, whether it be sexual or negative in some other way, wars against the soul (I Peter 2:11). However, the soul doesn't do conscious harm unless it is driven by a desire or work of the flesh and the mind.
TEMPTATION
Eve was tempted by Satan. Unfortunately, she was enticed and deceived by him, and because of it suffered the consequences of disobeying God. She allowed her mind to make her body consume the forbidden fruit. She had no real need to do so because God had provided for the things she needed, and he had warned her not to eat that particular fruit. She disobeyed and suffered penalty in this life and eventually had to die, whereas if she had not sinned against God she would not have received any punishment whatsoever. We inherited the death penalty also. That is why people are are not allowed to keep on living for ever. Sins cost us in this life and the next.
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV)
We must be careful not to allow our mind or our flesh to cause harm to our soul. We have the power to rule over the mind, the flesh and our body.
Even though the body can be destroyed, the soul has perpetual accountability. Our works in our body will have to be accounted for. If a body were melted out of existence through a nuclear explosion, it would not prevent the person from appearing before God at judgment day. We can entrust our soul to God's care and eternal life through faith. Thanks to his grace, God has paid for our sins by the sacrifice of his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus.
THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR (A DECEPTIVE SPIRIT)
Just as Eve and Adam were exposed to Satan, we are exposed to evil spirits.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:1-3, KJV)
Notice, the Apostle Paul is speaking to believers, who have surpassed the old life of being dead in trespasses and sins as others. They are no longer led by an evil spirit. The Christian nature has changed in relative respect to the children of wrath. God's people through faith and repentance of sins experience a change in their soul and a deliverance unto God and his holy spirit.
PUNISHMENT
God judged Eve and Adam for their sin. Everyone must account eventually for all the works he or she has done.
Genesis 3:14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (KJV)
REPROBATE
MIND AND VILE AFFECTIONS: GOD'S WRATH AND PUNISHMENT OF HOMOSEXUALS
(Reprobativity: Some people cannot make good judgment any
longer!)
Some men and women suffer a horrible judgment given to them by God for their disobedience to him. Nevertheless, even though a good government would protect its people from such deviates and their sins by removing them from society, especially after recognizing how God purged Sodom and Gomorrah (Gn. 19:24, 25), we live in a time when national rulers such as Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, accept their sexual and other immorality, and even encourage others to invite them to live in their community. Not so with God, he (see Gn. 18:1) even destroyed the growth of the ground that they walked upon:
Genesis 19:24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
Sadly, innocent people are persecuted by having to live in a passive government and around such people, and have become sexually abused by them. Beware, and avoid wicked men and women who may try to deceive you and make you partake with them in their wickedness, even to the extent of having male-on-male or female-to-female sex with them (verse 26, 27).
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (KJV)
FAITH: HOW TO LIVE FOR GOD AND AVOID PUNISHMENT
Be more wise than Eve and Adam. Put your faith in Jesus the Christ. Learn the Bible, God's word, God's direction. Overcome Satan and the lies he presents through deceived people.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (KJV)
HONEST CONVERSATION
People must find the salvation of Jesus the Christ. Christians have a great influence on helping others seek and find God. Everything we do should be in line with God's will for us, and our lives should be an example for others as they see us overcome the desires of the flesh, especially illegitimate sex, and the appetites of indulging in alcohol or drug abuse. Many will have to disassociate themselves with others and annul relationships.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (I Peter 2:11,12, KJV)
WASHING OF THE WORD
God's word, the Holy Bible can cleanse you from sin. Have faith. Revere even with trembling at times, or love God as you seek him through reading the Scriptures. We cannot be without sin in this life, but we can in the next. Jesus the Christ has paid for our sin and cleansed the way eternally.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (KJV)
GET SAVED: RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
You can make an intelligent decision for Jesus Christ and be baptized. (By the way, a baby doesn't have the cognition to prove its will to follow the commandment to be baptized.) Use your mind and body by making an outward confession to the public through being dunked under water. Call a local, but deity-of-Christ believing church and ask them if they do baptisms. You may also find a group of Christian friends that may want to perform the service.
You can also ask the Lord to come into your life right this moment through prayer: Father in heaven, I repent from my sins, let Jesus come into my life at this moment, amen.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (KJV)
FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Christians are not bound to sin and the flesh, nor its affections and lusts. We may have to disallow comfort sometimes. We have the ability to torture ourselves so to speak by not giving in to the old fleshly desires, we have the power to do without them, we have power over the flesh, and to conquer and rule it. Even if it may feel like we are being tortured at times, it isn't as bad as the torture Jesus Christ suffered on the cross when he was crucified. We should be willing to walk faithfully as he did.
The soul prospers so well when Christians bear fruit of Spirit. Their lives are happy and peaceful. They have confidence in themselves and God. They are pleasant to others.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Links:
Book Review Of The Fall Of Western Man by Mark Collett
God speaking with Adam after he sinned...
Divine order and judgment of Eve and Adam...
Animals are for our pets, labor, food and clothing...
Drunkenness and other works of the flesh...
Adultery And Ignorance Of Ultimate Super Ego
Slavery Abolition Super Ego Fall
Substance Abuse: Deliverance VS Treatment
Deep State Demonic Super Ego Realm
Demons And Jewish Counterfeit Government
The Word Of God, Mathematics, Physics And Reality