Biblical Counseling.pdf - Online Christian Library

3. To break the chain of sin requires ability to stop an action. This could take place atthe point of resistance or at a point of restraint.note: Resistance is the God-given ability that makes it possible for the person to delay hisresponses. We are not as animals who live by reflex only. We do have brains that enable us toresist and reject a sinful course of action. When we do not practice such rejection it is probablybecause we would rather enjoy the sinful action, thought, etc. Or we just did not work atcatching ourselves in the sinful practice.The goal is Biblical "action" not sinful "reaction." We are to be controlled by the Scripturesand not by the situation. Breaking the destructive patterns that "accelerate sin" involves thestructuring and development of new responses. Resistance is to work at preventing the practice.Illus: Instead of screaming, the mother works at developing the habit of speaking softly.(Note Proverbs 15:1; 16:32; 29: 11, 20; 30:33.)Restraint is to work at curtailing the problem . Restraint is the approach when the resistancefails. It is stopping oneself prior to going too far in sinful responses or habitual action.Restraint is the "recognition of sin" and seeking immediate forgiveness for it and obtaininghelp to discontinue the sin. It is thought before action or speech as the element in therestraint of evil. Memorization and meditation on the Word of God are very helpful in all ofthis effort toward change.H. Aiding in the Practice of New Patterns.It is very important to help the counselees discipline themselves in order to have the"key" to holiness. There is no option for godliness as the goal of the Christian life. One'swhole life must be disciplined, set up, organized and running day by day toward the goalof Christlike living. It will necessitate sacrifice; there are no shortcuts.VI. Getting Help From Others for Biblical Change.Change is difficult because without thinking we respond to temper, we clam up, andinternalize resentment, etc. We live according to the sinful patterns and habits that we havedeveloped over the years.Others can aid in building new habits and the breaking of the sinful practices. This takeswillingness and an understanding that it is a process. The Scriptures continually stress the needfor "mutual help." (See Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2.)People do not seek help for many reasons. Pride is one of the primary reasons ( ICorinthians 10:12; Proverbs 16:18). Because people are spiritually unwise they do not see theneed for the counsel they desperately need. They hate to admit they have failed and cannotmake it on their own and therefore need assistance.note: When people fight over things like squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle, turninglights off, etc, they give evidence of a number of things.• Their problem is much bigger than the issue (or issues) over which they are currentlyquarreling.• They are not seeking solutions to problems; they are concerned about making points,proving themselves to be right, and the other wrong.• When there are flaming emotions over little issues it is because there are weightier issueswhich they have not settled. From those confrontations they have emotional hurtswhich affect their daily responses.©2000, Revival in the Home Ministries 37