The Independant

When Counsel Replaces Scripture and  Influence Becomes Authority An Interesting Question How does a mentor emerge? Mentoring can be one of the greatest gifts in a person's life. But when guidance turns into control, correction into humiliation, and influence into manipulation, a mentor can become a source of deep harm. Here are some observations worth examining. Most mentors are never officially appointed. They are not elected by a church, commissioned by a ministry, or given a formal title. They simply become trusted. People seek them out because they have lived through experiences, gained wisdom, demonstrated character, and earned respect. In that sense, mentoring is natural and even beneficial. Older believers encourage younger believers. Mature Christians guide those who are struggling. Throughout Scripture we see examples such as Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and Paul and Titus. Yet an important question remains: What happens when someone s...

“It Sounded Like Wisdom… Until It Wasn’t” The most dangerous advice doesn’t sound wrong—it sounds reasonable. An Uncomfortable Opening (Read Carefully) Children, do not obey your parents. They are from another time. Less educated. Less exposed. Less informed. They lived longer, yes—but in a smaller world. Limited technology. Limited exposure. Limited understanding. But you? You have television, media, the internet, smartphones— a thousand voices at your fingertips. Why depend on those who knew less when you can follow those who seem to know more? Your parents tilled the land, struggled for survival, worked to feed you, educate you, and clothe you. But now you earn more. You know more. You have more options. You don’t need to depend on them anymore. You can choose your school, your career, your city. Your church. Your pastor. Your mentors. Why follow those who may have expectations of you When can you follow those who have none? After all, your parents...

When “Wisdom” Silences the Word:  A Letter to Couples, Counselors, and the Church in India Story One: In a Christian family, a son—the only son and the only child of his parents—decided to marry a girl who is not a Christian believer. The proposal came from the boy himself. The girl’s parents visited the boy’s parents in the early stage, and they seemed willing to proceed with a Christian wedding in a church. Yet somehow, the boy later took a different stand. Today, the boy and girl are married and living in the city where they work. The husband takes his wife to church. Whatever went unchristian or non-Christian in the process, one thing remains undeniable and deserves to be stated plainly: the son faithfully supports his parents. Every month, he sends at least ₹30,000. He covers all additional expenses, including medical bills. He even pays church contributions and church-related donations on their behalf. This raises a blunt question that modern counseling seems uncom...