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?
b b b b b b b b b 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.
b b b b b b b b b 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). b
b b b b b b b b b 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.
