Dysfunctional family

Biblical counsellors must remove the mystery from a term such as this and get down to specifics. For example we could say that this is a family where the parents haven't functioned in a biblical way (or whatever the situation actually is, discovered by your search for patterns). They demonstrated a lack of 1 Corinthians 13 love, they didn't structure their home according to Ephesians 6:4, they failed to follow the instructions of Proverbs 13:24, 14:26, 22:15 or 29:15. Steer clear of vague psychological jargon.

Damaged emotions

This is another favourite today. How do you help someone with damaged emotions? What chapter in the Bible deals with damaged emotions? Obviously none, but when you consider exactly what is happening in pattern form in the person's life, you will discover that there is a far more biblical, far more precise name for what is going on. It many be fear, bitterness, resentment, despondency, anxiety, lack of love, lack of family love, lack of mercy, selfishness, malice or any such biblical description. These are a sampling from Romans 1:29-31. I would like to speak about these words again later on in these blogs.

Low self-esteem, lack of ego strength

While Scripture makes allowance for different types of persons (1 Thessalonians 5:14), it doesn't see the term low self-esteem. Yes, it most certainly addresses the issues this person is dealing with, regardless of what patterns have developed in his life under that heading, but not under the term low self esteem. Although it is tempting to make a diversion here and go into the biblical teaching on self-esteem, I will resist the urge and say little. Out of the many things that could be said, it is possible that he lacks the fear of God (Proverbs 14:26), lacks faith (Daniel 11:32, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 3:5,6, Psalm 56:3, 2 Corinthians 9:8, 1 Corinthians 4:16), lacks hope (2 Corinthians 3:12, 1 Timothy 3:13), lacks righteousness (Proverbs 28:1).

Unmet needs

While this is again a vague, unhelpful term, what you will often discover in pattern form in this person's life is lust, covetousness, greed, pride, sensuality, self-love (as in the case of low self-esteem), foolishness, lack of self-control, conceit, love of pleasure, impulsive (consider Mark 7:21-22, 2 Timothy 3:1-6, Titus 2:11 etc.)

Perfectionism