How do you decide when to confront sin in counseling?
What form or forms of confrontation should be used?
According to Millard Erickson, “sin is any lack of conformity,
active or passive, to the moral will of God”; it is “an inner
disposition, a part of our character that resembles a chronic
sickness” (McMinn, 1996, p. 132). While psychology is more concern
about the concept of sin, theology is more concern about sin itself
and how individuals should recognize that they need a healing
relationship with God. Counselors can decide to confront sin by
knowing which clients to confront and by understand the purpose for
confronting sin: Will the confrontation help to establish a healthy
sense of self? Will the confrontation help establish a healthy
sense of need? Will the confrontation help to establish a healing
relationship (McMinn, 1996)? Counselors can use several forms of
confrontation when they decide to confront sin. According to McMinn
(1996), counselors can use four approaches when confronting sin:
silence: by remaining silent, sometimes, clients can work out their
own problems; however, the counselor should pay attention to their
own body language and facial expression so that clients will not
think that they are giving them approval for their behavior;
pondering: clients are allowed to think more about their choices;
questioning: can help clients obtain a feeling of ownership about
their choices; and direct censure: should only be used when there
is a high level of trust, and it may lead to quick changes for the
client. McMinn (1996) also stated that counselors should carefully
use these approaches in regards to the client, the situations, and
the nature of the therapeutic relationship.
Reference McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and
spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Stream, IL:
Tyndale.
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