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?
c c c c c c c c c 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.
c c c c c c c c c 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). c
c c c c c c c c c 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.
