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Question: 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.