Confrontation in Counseling
According to McMinn (2011), “Coping with temptation and managing sin cannot be done
with willpower alone, because even the human will is sinful. “ Only by drawing near to
God and allowing God to draw dear to us can we overcome sin.”
How would you decide to confront sin in counseling?
I believe, as does McMinn (2011), all Christian counselors should seek to confront sin,
but confronting sin is NOT a priority for initial counseling sessions. It is important to
establish rapport with the client. Like prayer and scripture, I would be very careful to
introduce confrontation of sin in counseling. To confront sin early in counseling without
establishing a strong therapeutic relationship can alienate your client. We should question
”Which clients should I confront with their sin, and how should I go about confronting
them?” McMinn (2011) In counseling there are four (4) b approaches to confronting sin, b
silence, pondering, questioning and direct censure.
What method would you choose to confront sin and why?
It would depend on the personality style of the client, but I would prefer the Pondering
or “Columbo” confrontation method of asking indirect questions, and “easing the client
toward a more complete understanding of conscience.” McMinn (2011) This method is
less riskier and gives the client a safe space for the client at least initially. I would also
consider the use of periods of silence to allow the client time to reflect or visualize their
own thoughts or understanding. This period of silence also allows the Holy Spirit to
speak to them personally without me interrupting the client with my own thoughts, which
may be off course. This can be a critical, transforming juncture for the client in
counseling, which deserves space, time, and respect. We want the client to discover and
an own their own healing and transformation with Christ for it to be lasting and
effective!
What method would you NOT choose to confront sin and why?
I would NOT choose the Direct Censure approach. I have used this approach before as
a Minister, and I know many clergy use this approach as well. In my opinion it is very
ineffective, and actually can turn people away from the Lord and the church, instead of
towards Him. The approach can be perceived as being judgmental. McMinn (2011)
indicates it as “elevating the counselor’s values to a position above the client’s values.”
God’s Word states “Judge ye not, for ye will be judged.” Matt. 7:1
The goal of Christian Counseling is transformative in nature. We want our clients to own
or discover their own healing and transformation through their personal relationship with
Christ, and NOT because the Bible says so or worse because we say so! We desire to
have the client change be from Inside – Out as referenced from the METAMORPH
Integrative Counseling Grid. There are rare instances, where this may be appropriate. I
believe there is a high risk to this approach being perceived as judgmental and arrogant!
I would have to led by the Holy Spirit to use prayer or scripture within the counseling
session.
Utilize Entwistle’s text to integrate your reflections.
I agree with Entwistle's (2015) definition of the term integration as an “…effort to find
connections between psychology and theology, because they have been dis-integrated or
torn asunder. Our lives and our experiences have been dis-integrated, and a part of
God's restorative grace is reintegrating that which has been artificially severed.” If all
things were created through Christ, “then the work of integration becomes not just
feasible, but imperative as we attempt to understand the essence of this unity.”
Entwistle (2015)
We are all sinners, and have come into a fallen world. Counselors should always look to
address or confront sin in our lives through confession and forgiveness. McMinn (2011).
“The desire for transformation lies deep in every human heart.” Ortberg (2002) God
wants us to be transformed into new creatures in Christ! Romans 12:1 Our goal as
Christian counselors is to turn hopelessness into the hope in Christ, to encourage and to
pray for God’s help, patience and guidance.
Entwistle’s (2015) Allies model “recognizes the underlying unity of human nature, and the
legitimacy of both theology and psychological investigation” (Entwistle, 2015) The Allies
model also recognizes b all truth is known by God, who is sovereign over all things. “The
Allies model acknowledges the sovereignty of Christ as creator and sustainer of all
things.” (Entwistle, 2015)
References
Entwistle (2015). Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity 3rd Edition, An
Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration.
Published by CASCADE Books.
McMinn, M. (2011). Psychotherapy: Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling.
Tyndale House Publishers.
Ortberg, J. (2002). The Life You’ve Always Wanted Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People.
Zondervan
COUN 506 (LUO) METAMORPH Integrative Counseling Grid. Week Four, Lecture Two.
