Page 35 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

Study Section 6: The Expulsive power of a New Affection

6.1 Connect

What is the central focus of your life? For many, it is their jobs or their families. For others, it is in
the goods they can obtain in life. To them, it’s all about stuff! To others, it might be a quest for
power and fame. Generally, the focus you put on your life determines your goals and the direction
of your life.

Jim Elliot, the famous missionary to Ecuador who gave his life for Christ, said, “He is no fool who gives what he
cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation
you believe to be the will of God.” Jim found that the only true value of life is found in Christ. Putting our focus
on Christ alone as we live day by day will bring the true joy that most people seek in other things. Let’s see how
this is true….

6.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to define what a new affection is.

2. The student should be able to define what temptation is and how to conquer it.

3. The student should be able to define repentance and describe what makes repentance possible.

6.3 Expulsive Power of a New Affection

What is the expulsive power of a new affection?
Thomas Chalmers (born 1780) was a Scottish pastor and church leader who wrote a book entitled,
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection. The word expulsive refers to something that pushes out
or expels. The premise of his work was that a growing affection for and delight in Christ would
push out or expel ungodly affections and wicked desires. As counselors, we point people to the
glory of Christ leading them to a growing affection for Him and a delight in Him. This means that our work must
be Christ centered. It must be aimed at the affections and desires of the heart and must hold out Christ as the
only One who is able to satisfy the affections and desires of our souls.

Understanding sin and temptation
What is sin? (Matthew 5:48; Romans 3:23; 1 Peter 1:16) Our conception of sin is woefully weak. It is very
common to think of sin as a transgression against a specific law. When asked if I have sinned, I will be tempted
to think about the various laws of God and assess whether I have knowingly broken any of them. The law says,
“Do not steal”, so sin, in this context, is understood as committing an act of theft. I consider this law and see
that I have not stolen anything from anyone, so I conclude that I have not sinned. Using this line of thinking, a
person could conclude that he could go for periods of time without sinning and that growth in maturity will
mean longer and longer periods of sinlessness.

But this reveals an understanding of sin that is much too thin and that is grounded in a legalistic framework. The
Scriptures do not simply hold the law out to us as the standard of God’s measure. The law of God is an
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