Beyond Behavior
God's Character as the Foundation for Ethical Living
This article is the third in a series exploring key components of a biblical worldview in my approach to counseling methodology. In the previous installments, we delved into the foundational concepts of metaphysics (the study of reality and being) and epistemology (the study of knowledge and truth). These two components serve as the bedrock of our understanding of the world and shape how we approach ethical decision-making.
We now turn our attention to ethics—the principles that guide our decisions, actions, and behavior. From a biblical worldview, ethics are not merely a set of rules to follow, but a reflection of God’s own character. How we live, what we choose, and why we act are all grounded in the truth of who God is and what He has revealed to us. Just as understanding the nature of reality and truth shapes our thinking, understanding God’s character shapes the way we approach right and wrong.
The Danger of Focusing Only on Ethical Issues
In many cases, when Christians struggle with ethical issues, counseling tends to focus on actions—what we should or shouldn’t do. While this is an important aspect of biblical counseling, it often leads to behavioral modification rather than true transformation. It’s easy to get stuck in addressing the “do’s” and “don’ts,” but doing so without addressing deeper questions about why we should act a certain way leaves room for superficial change.
This can be seen when counselors focus on behavior without addressing the root issues of a person’s beliefs, desires, and understanding of God. If we only focus on how a person behaves, we might see short-term changes, but we miss out on the lasting transformation that comes from a heart and mind rooted in the gospel. Without addressing the deeper theological, metaphysical, and epistemological issues that shape a person’s worldview, we risk merely modifying behavior rather than allowing God to transform hearts.
Paul’s approach in his letters provides a good example. Rather than jumping straight into ethical instructions, Paul takes the time to lay out a theological framework. For instance, in Ephesians 1-3, Paul first establishes the believer’s new identity in Christ—describing how they have been spiritually transformed in their relationship with God—before exhorting them to live in a way that reflects this new identity. Paul begins by focusing on the believer’s position in Christ and then moves toward practical instructions about how to live in a manner worthy of the calling they have received (Eph. 4:1). This illustrates that right behavior comes as a response to a right understanding of who we are in Christ.
Similarly, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul addresses the ethical issue of circumcision. Rather than getting into the specifics of what should or shouldn’t be done, Paul first clarifies the why: salvation is through faith in Christ alone, not through following the law (Gal. 2:16). He argues that justification by faith is foundational to the Christian life and that adhering to legalistic practices, like circumcision, is a misguided attempt to earn what has already been freely given in Christ. Paul’s goal is not to simply correct behavior but to establish a theological understanding that flows into ethical living.
The Superficiality of Ethical Disagreements
When we tackle ethical issues without addressing these deeper truths, it can lead to petty disagreements and surface-level changes. Too often in Christian communities, we argue about ethical issues—whether something is right or wrong—without considering the foundational truths that should guide our behavior. These arguments can lead to division, not transformation. People often get caught up in moral debates and misunderstand the deeper spiritual issues at play.
When we focus only on ethics—the “what” of behavior—we miss the more important question: Why are we making these choices in the first place? What is motivating us? Are we living in light of who God is, or are we just trying to follow rules? Without a solid understanding of God’s character and His truth, ethical disagreements can turn into petty quarrels, leaving us stuck in a cycle of behavioral modification rather than experiencing the supernatural transformation that God desires for us.
Living Right Flows from Knowing Right
True change, the kind of transformation that honors God, begins with understanding who God is and what He has done for us in Christ. In Romans 12:1–2, Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship. This call to ethical living follows from the deep truths that Paul lays out in the first 11 chapters. Right living is a response to the gospel—an act of worship rooted in the reality of who God is and what He has accomplished.
In counseling, it’s crucial to help people connect their behavior to their beliefs. When a person understands that their ethical choices are not about following a list of rules but about responding to the character of God, transformation begins. This understanding shifts the focus from mere behavior modification to heart-level change. When we help people see that their actions are a reflection of who they believe God to be, we open the door to lasting spiritual growth.
As counselors, it’s essential to go beyond surface-level ethical discussions and address the deeper theological truths that shape our worldview. Living right flows out of knowing right. When we align our beliefs with God’s truth, we can move beyond mere behavioral modification and experience the supernatural transformation that only He can bring.