Brad Alles

Let’s wrap up this series of blogs on psychology.  As we have seen, this topic deals with people’s behavior, and some believe that humans are basically good.  That is not what we experience as we look around us.  What makes more sense is the fact that we’re sinners–people who deal evil because it is part of our nature.  And since the Bible diagnoses this problem, let’s turn to the Scriptures for the solution as well.

Since we are sinners in need of forgiveness, confession is best for good mental health.  Sadly, most of the time we make excuses for our sinful behavior.  We blame others, or justify our actions with some reasoning to make us feel better.  However, we will still feel guilty.  That’s the problem–we shouldn’t rationalize or just fell remorseful; we should repent.

Read what King David said in Psalm 32:1-5 after he dealt with the guilt of his adultery:

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Good mental health means dealing with your sin by confessing it to God and receiving forgiveness through Christ.  As we live a new life in repentance by following the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, guilt and shame can be removed.

As for what really fulfills us, it is not just doing whatever we want as we have seen some advocate.  Our goal in life should follow Jesus’ words in Matthew 27:37.  He said the Greatest Commandment was to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”  And the Second Greatest is like it: “‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments'” (Matthew 27:39-40).

The Bible’s Truth is clear.  What we read in the Bible is what we see in the world.  It explains our experience better than any other worldview, and when we follow God’s Truth, it allows us to thrive in all areas of our life.