Dont Compromise

COMPROMISE There are many valid compromises in life that one may make without jeopardy. These are areas of Christian liberty referred to in the Bible. But one must never compromise God’s truth. He may not compromise biblical beliefs or ways without displeasing God. Eclecticism (q.v.) on the part of Christian counselors is, at bottom, compromise with error and unbelief. Often compromises are made to avoid embarrassment (q.v.) and to please men. But it must in no way be countenanced. Instead, one must stand in opposition to error and unbelief at whatever cost, while affirming the absolute truth and sufficiency of the Bible and its teachings.

Counselees, as well as eclectic counselors, will often suggest compromising certain biblical teachings and practices. Counselees must be urged not to follow them. Instead, counselors must point out that this kind of compromise displeases God and may lead to His judgment and discipline. In confronting compromise, call it what it is: sin. Do not minimize the severity of the problem. Again and again, Israel got into trouble by compromising. Compromise is one of the greatest sins of our day.

The Practical Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling Embarrassment

EMBARRASSMENT Some counselees fail to seek help because of embarrassment. Others who do ask for help, fail to follow up homework assignments (such as confessing sin and seeking forgiveness) for the same reason. Embarrassment can become a serious barrier to counseling. Counselors must become fully aware of this widespread problem. It probably explains why much of their counseling falters.

The dynamic at work is simply this: people are proud and don’t want to be exposed for what they are. Many of those who are called “shy” are actually proud persons who are afraid of being embarrassed if they should fail in doing or saying something correctly. Because embarrassment is closely entwined with pride, the counselor must show counselees that the two are close cousins that are difficult to separate. Counselors need to know that the counselee’s debilitating embarrassment is not innocent. Serious failures to seek counsel, to reveal problems, to help wayward children, to serve the Lord are the result of embarrassment (consider witnessing, for instance). As they counsel, counselors may learn much about counselees by noting what embarrasses them. Tracking this, they can often put their finger on deeply embedded veins of pride.