Lambert (2016) wrote that sin “always comes in the shocking detail and alarming colors of
names and faces experiencing real life, real consequences, and real pain” (p. 214) when it
appears in counseling. If this is true, how does a counselor handle that which is sin in their
client’s life?
a a a a a a a a a a The first thing that is essential for the counselor to know is the biblical
understanding of sin. “Sin does not just describe the bad things human beings do or fail to
do. More fundamentally, it describes who we are as wicked people” (Lambert, 2016, p. 217).
Lambert (2016) in his book A Theology of Biblical Counseling wrote about how sin effects
seven areas within our lives: Sin effects our standing before God, our motivations, thinking,
emotions, bodies, relationships, and our world (p. 220-225). It is fair to say that within
biblical counseling, it is inevitable that the counselor will have to deal with their client’s sin,
it is evident that it is present in almost everything.
a a a a a a a a a a One thing to remember when counseling someone who is guilty of sin, it is our
duty to help them deal with it, specifically through repentance. Lambert (2016) stated that
repentance requires two things: confession (p. 229) and a forsaking of sin (p. 233). As a
counselor it is imperative that we implore this to our counselee. When counseling someone
who has be affected by the sin of others, Lambert (2016) said to walk the counselee
through the importance of forgiveness (p. 235). a
a a a a a a a a a a One model that I would not choose when dealing with sin, would be the Spies
Model. Entwistle (2015) describes the Spies Model as “a pragmatic desire to use any
means at their disposal to aid human well-being” (p. 173). This is a model where people
pick and choose what they want to use out of ‘religion’ to help someone. In other words,
they will pick and chose what parts of the bible they will use. This is a dangerous model to
use when dealing with the sin of clients. One cannot pick and choose which part of the
bible are true or not. If this is used, some sin may never be addressed and essentially will
continue to hold that client captive.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and christianity: An introduction
to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Cascade Books.
Lambert, Heath. A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling
Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016. Print.
