Pastoral Care for Those Conquered by Sin

[canadyjd]

Thank you for that insight.



Thank you so much for taking the time to teach me.

This brings up something that has bothered me for a while. The toughest testimony of pastoral care I know. I have heard of a testimony of a person in pastoral care that hates the fact they use hard drugs, but cannot seem to get past their addiction. They pray, they keep trying to repent after every use, and they are determined to to do the right thing. At least until they start to feel withdrawal. Then they rush back to their drugs. Is that repentance or unrepentance in your opinion? Or is the problem more basic: Like the fact this pastoral care is not transparent with law enforcement or the medical community, who would provide medical help and consequences, in an effort to protect the confidentiality of the person in care?

I do not see a problem with referring someone for medical treatment who has an addiction. Luke was referred to as the "beloved physician" The Apostle Paul, who stood in the presence of God Himself, saw no problem with using a gentle physician for medical care. Neither should we.

As far as breaking confidentiality, I will report serious violations of the law (especially with children) to law enforcement.

Pray without ceasing for Holy Spirit to intervene. If someone tells me they cashed in their 401K for drugs, I'm going to encourage counseling. If they tell me they are embezelling from the company they work at to buy drugs, I'm going to encourage them to confess to the boss and go get counseling. If they tell me they robbed a bank and shot a cop, I'm going to call the police and encourage them to get counseling.

Addicts do not think logically and no matter what they say, they will bring everyone in their sphere down with them, including a Pastor that is trying to help.

 

[Yeshua1]

I do not see a problem with referring someone for medical treatment who has an addiction. Luke was referred to as the "beloved physician" The Apostle Paul, who stood in the presence of God Himself, saw no problem with using a gentle physician for medical care. Neither should we.

As far as breaking confidentiality, I will report serious violations of the law (especially with children) to law enforcement.

Pray without ceasing for Holy Spirit to intervene. If someone tells me they cashed in their 401K for drugs, I'm going to encourage counseling. If they tell me they are embezelling from the company they work at to buy drugs, I'm going to encourage them to confess to the boss and go get counseling. If they tell me they robbed a bank and shot a cop, I'm going to call the police and encourage them to get counseling.

Addicts do not think logically and no matter what they say, they will bring everyone in their sphere down with them, including a Pastor that is trying to help.

have to set really firm boundaries, making sure the addict is kepot accountible for their behavior before God.

 

[MartyF]

I first have to say - Be wary of Syncretism. It is too common to attribute what society considers to be a sin to what God considers to be a sin.

For example, I see way to many Christians saying that marriage is a difficult thing and that being single is easier. Jesus specifically says the opposite in an almost humorous manner. The whole Bible supports how much easier a married life is. So why do Christians say that marriage is difficult? Because the world says that. A married life is far easier than a single life. Syncretism. Be careful about calling things bad because the world does.

Marriages with sinful people such as adulterers, prostitutes, or ungodly people will be quite difficult.

So, try not to judge a person as sinful based on what the world says.

Next, God is a jealous god, but he is also very forgiving. David slept with another man's wife and then killed the man to stop people from finding out. That's pretty despicable and definitely violates the don't covet thy neighbor's wife law, the don't murder law, and the don't be an adulterer law.

But David did love God and God forgave him his trespasses after he repented.

So, did David not follow God before he trespassed? Should we rip out all of the Psalms pre-Bathsheba? Of course not. God is willing and ready to forgive. However, he is jealous and gets very upset if we love something more than him.

Marty

 

[gb93433]

The Bible says a wise man has many counselors. It is amazing how many teachers show up when one wants to be taught. When we are humble it is not about us being right or wrong but about being teachable so that we can be taught. If we come with the attitude we are always right and nobody can teach us anything few who know how wrong we are will try to teach us anything. Over the years I have seen many who do not know their Bible but can tell you what the preacher says.

Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."