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Against all positions that deny either the possibility of significant change (stemming from deterministic views of genetic, social, or environmental influence) or that hold out change as a possibility, only after long periods of time, the Christian cheerfully of thorough, rapid change. This is a very crucial plank in the Christian counselor’s platform.  As a basic assumption, he presupposes the possibility of radical change in the personality and life style of the counselee.  He believes in conversion and in the sanctifying power of the Spirit.  He believes that it is possible for one, who, because of his sinful nature, developed sinful living patterns and was taught wrongly by both precept and example from early days, to become a vital Christian possessing the fruit of the Spirit.  He is certain that if a headhunting Auca Indian can change so radically that he abandons his primitive pagan life style and is able to tour the United States giving testimony to his new-found faith, then an American housewife, who may have experienced less love and security in her childhood than she might have wished, also may become a responsible Christian woman.  She is not doomed inevitably to live the life of a (verbal) headhunter because of what her parents did to her.  The possibility of change is not limited to primitive tribesmen.  Indeed, even Americans who grew up “on the wrong side of the tracks” have been known to become outstanding Christian leaders.  In many cases, their backgrounds were used by God as an impetus to service for Him.

The Christian Counselor’s Manual, Jay E. Adams, page 29