Invading a Sacred Space

When we encounter situations that are overwhelming for us, that steal our joy, that produce fear and confusion, God provides incredible resources for us - He has spoken to us by His Word and He will provide power to overcome spiritual attack by His Holy Spirit and the full armor of God.  Perhaps He will use other people to minister to us.   And, there will even be those who are equipped to provide Biblically-based counsel in a private, confidential setting. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 (ESV) highlights the sufficiency of God's Word:
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

But, you have people in authority who govern counseling practices that want to silence the authority of the Word of God in that sacred space.  The Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University recently reported that a Christian counselor...

...had been accused by the Kentucky Board of Social Work of breaching ethical standards for discussing his biblically based beliefs about LGBT ideology in his private social media posts and for offering faith-based counseling to clients. Among the statements he made online were that licensed mental health professionals are under “constant pressure to compromise beliefs to make people happy in this field (and in all our lives in general)” and that while he loves his “career and the people he serves with a passion,” he was “not going to sell [his] soul for it” nor would he “affirm rebellion against our Creator.” 

This Biblical stance resulted in this counselor being terminated by his employer, and some who had seen his social media posts filed ethics complaints.  The Center related: "After an internal ethics proceeding, the board determined that the charges lacked merit."  It went on to say:

A statement put out by Liberty Counsel, the counselor’s legal representative, praised the outcome, saying the board recognized that faith-informed counseling, when fully voluntary and respectful of clients’ beliefs, poses no ethical violation. They added that the counselor served his clients in accordance with both professional standards and his deeply held religious convictions.

I have reported on cases in which counselors are being chastised for taking a Biblical stand on LGBT issues, attempting to help those seeking help to overcome their same-sex attraction. Rather than encouraging young people to pursue futile and potentially harmful "sex change" operations and treatments, these counselors are helping these young people to accept themselves in the way God made them and enabling them to reject these sinful desires.  The Bible teaches that homosexuality is sinful, so if a person - of any age - is experiencing temptation in that area, Biblical Christianity, based on the Scriptures promises the ability to walk in victory.  But, there are even Christians who don't believe that counselors should share this Biblical perspective.

The U.S. Supreme Court will be considering the case of a Colorado Christian counselor who is challenging a Colorado law that invades the counseling room and inhibits Biblical conversation.  The Standing for Freedom Center reports that the case is "...a First Amendment challenge brought by Kaley Chiles, a Colorado counselor, against a Colorado law that bars counselors from discussing unwanted same-sex attraction with clients or encouraging them to align their lives with their biological sex."  The article goes on to say: "Under Colorado’s 'conversion therapy' ban, Chiles can only affirm a minor’s gender identity or same-sex attraction, even if the minor seeks help in overcoming their confusion. Counselors who do anything else will face dire consequences to their livelihood, including suspension and even permanent revocation of their license." The article states: "Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is representing Chiles, argues that the law censors speech and prevents minors from accessing the care they desire."

The piece relates that, "The Gospel declares that freedom is found in surrendering to God’s truth and walking in the Spirit. Christian counselors who stand on that truth embody what real help looks like, offering hope, healing, and transformation that no secular theory can provide." In the Colorado case and in the actions of those challenging that Kentucky counselor, as well as other cases across the nation, you essentially find a challenge to Scripture.  And, an attempt to silence Christians who desire to speak Biblical truth.  Even so-called fellow "Christians" have publicly opposed what has been labeled "conversion therapy."  We should not hold back in our devotion to speak truth in accordance with the Bible.