Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

This is a good book for people who want to counsel others or for those who are looking for some answers for some of life's troubles. I wrote a critique on this book and if amazon will let me i will post it below: This is a critique concerning Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul Tripp published by P&R publishing company in 2002. This book is part of a series titled Resources for Changing Lives published in cooperation with The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation. Tripp does an excellent job presenting the biblical reason for many life problems Christians face and the biblical solution to those problems. I found this work to be highly edifying and encouraging. The root of the problem is sin. Christians sin because they are rebellious at heart but God offers another way. God can use anyone and every member of the body of Christ has a purpose. The Christian’s initial purpose is to bring the word of God to others. The problem here is that many Christians do not know how to use the Bible in their own lives and fall short as a result. The root of the problem is the heart of the individual. Every human at heart is a worshiper; some worship sin while others worship God. Those who worship God will deal with conflict. This conflict can come from family, co-workers, themselves, or any number of other things. However, God calls us to walk in him and trust in him to get us through these conflicts. He also calls us to be ambassadors to represent the message, methods, and character of the King. Tripp presents a four part solution to life problems titled “love, know, speak, and do.” This is not a four-step process; rather, “they are simply four important elements of biblical ministry” Tripp continues by setting the foundation of personal ministry in love. Counselors are to help people with the love that Christ shows the church. Many counselees will face fears and anxieties about their problems and counselors must help them face those fears as opposed to just spouting scripture at them. The counselor must let the counselee know three major things: the counselor has heard his/her struggle, God is there and understands his/her struggle, and the counselor will stand with the counselee and support them biblically. These things will build horizontal trust, vertical hope, and commitment to the process. Suffering will happen but it has a purpose. Counselors can tell personal stories to build a bridge between their past suffering and the suffering of the counselee. The counselor must not assume anything but rather, they should ask questions. All questions asked should be open-ended questions that provoke more than a simple yes or no answer. Confrontations are necessary and they require love not condemnation. Counselors must not be afraid of confrontation. Confrontation serves a biblical purpose such as when Nathan confronted David and told him a parable that allowed David to see the error of his ways. Counselors must be like Nathan in that they must allow the confronted party the right to condemn themselves and repent of their sins. Tripp follows with a poignant point; the counselor must not become a mini messiah by confusing his or her own personal agenda with God’s agenda. Then, he concludes with the importance of accountability. Accountability provides structure, guidance, assistance, encouragement, and warning. Tripp points out some biblical truths that were particularly edifying for me such as, “Sin is fundamentally idolatrous. I do wrong things because my heart desires something more than the Lord.” As a Christian, we do not often think in this manner but it is true. He follows shortly with “At its core, sin is moral thievery. It steals the worship that rightly belongs to God and gives it to someone or something else.” In addition, “Every human being is a worshiper, in active pursuit of the thing that rules his heart.” These statements concerning the nature of sin caused me to look at sin in a different manner. I gained a more thorough understanding of the problem of sin and how every Christian is susceptible to the problems it causes. Another enlightening passage is found in Tripp’s section on confrontation: “Failure to make loving rebuke part of our relationships gives the Devil a huge opportunity.” Here Tripp stresses the importance of love and the biblical preparation a counselor must undertake to achieve this love in any situation. This is a highly edifying and encouraging presentation of the biblical reason for many life problems Christians face and the biblical solution to those problems. This book will serve as a tool that I will use on a regular basis. With the helpful appendixes and homework suggestions, that the publisher gives the counselor the right to reproduce and distribute freely, I will find many uses for this book in the future.

Such a great read!!! Honestly, this is my favorite book. I love the way he breaks down things, so easy to understand. It gives so much understanding that can help you have grace with yourself and how to extend it to others so that you can actually reach them and maybe help them with real life struggles. This is how we do life together. I was reading this as I was learning about the gospel, it helped me with having real heart change. I gifted this to a friend when I felt she could really use it in her life as well. She put off reading it for awhile. I kept gently reminding her to read it. When she finally did, she was thrilled she had. I got the, "Oh man!!! Now I see why you kept pushing for me to read it. It's so good and I needed it. I wished I had read it sooner." Great book for yourself and to share with others. ❤️

As a youth pastor, I rarely write book reviews, not because I do not have an opinion but because I seldom have the time, and I'm moving on to the next book quickly. Most often I may share with a friend or two what I appreciate about the book, or what I've learned, but that's it. "Instruments in the Redeemer's hands" is a book that I haven't shut up about, and don't plan to do so. This book has changed the way I do personal ministry (something I thought I had down pretty well), and is one that I will revisit for years to come. Paul describes this book as "a call to live a daily ministry lifestyle rooted in God's Word. (He has) laid out a whole Bible, whole life, whole body lifestyle. This lifestyle doesn't look to the Bible as an encyclopedia for problem solving, but finds in God's great story a perspective that transforms the way we deal with the circumstances of life." (Pg. 271) By providing both an aerial view concept of how personal ministry and counseling work, as well as an, "on the ground," practical, helpful method with techniques derived from Scripture, Paul builds both a foundation and a framework for walking with others towards personal Holiness. He constantly reminds us that what we really need to address is the heart, which only God can ultimately change, which He does (praise God!) as we hold out the mirror of the Word of God for others to see. But we must also realize that our own hearts are constantly being fought for, as well, and that we do not come to others as someone who's "already made it," but alongside a brother or sister as someone who is walking this journey with them, and who wants to love and help. Through the Grace of God, he will use us to sharpen one another and build the body up, for the Glory of God. Using both real-life scenarios and conceptual building blocks, he builds an excitement about what God can do, and makes you want to start ministering to others. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and started purchasing copies for others before I had finished reading it myself. While this may not be the final or ultimate book on Biblical counseling, I don't believe that book exists yet (except for Scripture), and I don't think any library of books on the subject would be complete without this one. The information and ideas contained here are priceless, and while it will take a lifetime to master, it can be started tomorrow. Excellent book - I'd give it more stars if I could :) It's not a "quick read," but do yourself (and those around you) a favor and pick up a copy, you won't regret it!

This book is fantastic the author is great, gives his own life experiences and how to see things from others. How we can lift each other up. Highly recommended.

Esse foi o livro que mais gostei de ler este ano. Nos ensina nosso papel na igreja.

Confronting and it teaches you to be humble

実践的でわかりやすかったです。 ビブリカルカウンセリングとは？ パーソナルミニストリーとは？ その基礎を学べました。

I read now this book in both languages: spanish and english, and I can recommend it everybody who wants to learn more about this matter. We are not in the christian church to "warm" the chairs, but to speak everybody and everywhere how great, unconditional, unlimited is Gods Grace to us. !TO JESUS THE GLORY!