The guy confessing an embarrassing porn problem was sitting at the end of the table. A big, burly guy, close to tears. His sordid lust occupied every waking minute of his day: Its trap had sprung, and its iron teeth had shut fast around his heart. The man was a faithful church attender, a solid family man, and took the Bible seriously. But none of it was setting him free from his addiction.
I was on the other side of the table because I was leading the group of men through the Study Guide for my book, "Recover Your Good Heart." Nothing I or the other men said could convince this good man that he was a good man. His addiction had hijajcked his identity.
What is this Christian man's root problem?
An undisciplined will? Is he not spending enough time in prayer? Is he not busy enough with Christian service? Is his core problem a wayward nature; a wandering heart? Or should we send him to a counselor to help him manage his addiction? Should he explore any unresolved family history issues?
What if this addicted man's root problem doesn' t reflect any of those typical assessments? What if his root problem is not ultimately resolved through either Christian discipline or therapy?
Unreleased goodness
Author of the book, Connecting, Larry Crabb asks the following question: "What if the root problem in a Christian's life, beneath all the personal, emotional, and spiritual struggles, is unreleased goodness?"
1. Not psychological disorder
2. Not emotional baggage from dysfunctional backgrounds and buried traumatic memories
3. Not irresponsible living [1]
It can often be helpful to gently confront sinful behavior; or to seek counseling or therapy; but often this misdiagnoses the root problem. We don't always need more help with repentance, or analyzing our past; though healing can begin there. We need a small community of a few who have a vision of the goodness beneath our mess - a God-given goodness that is stronger than the mess - with noble appetities that are longing for nourishment and release. This is what the Spirit is up to. That's His invitation.
Our root problem as Christians is unreleased goodness; and we need others around us who have a vision of our [and their own] God-bestowed goodness.
[1] Larry Crabb, Connecting; p. 72
Further resources: My book, Recover Your Good Heart, exposes the myth that the Christian is still "prone to wander," and gives the reader a new vision of an astonishing and practical goodness they already have. A goodness awaiting release.