Shame is us running away from LOVE. And while Love covers a multitude of sins, shame uncovers us and leaves us naked.
I am learning so much about the destructive power of shame. Shame literally throws us under the bus of life. As long as we live in shame we are stymied and stunted. As I see it, shame is actually self-hatred rather than self-compassion and self-love. Any time in my life I’ve experienced shame I tied myself to the very thing I was ashamed about.
The Power of Shame
Shame prevents us from accessing grace. It is raising our opinions above the Most High God. Shame is pride! Shame boasts that it is more powerful than Christ’s Life and sacrifice to keep me in line. And while conviction of sin is perfectly ordained to rescue me from my struggles, shame only exalts itself over Him.
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT
Oh how I wish I never went to shame. This destructive force in my life simply blinded my eyes to Christ. It is impossible to remain in shame and see God’s forgiveness and glory. Shame is a self imposed prison to maintain control over self. The problem is that it truly is a prison and it will never help sin management or lead us into godliness.
Christ and Being Ashamed
Shame is self-condemnation, self-punishment and self-hatred. Shame is all about self, placing self at the center. God’s alternative is conviction, forgiveness and receiving of His grace. God’s alternative to shame is life turning through repentance and receiving His blood. There is no condemnation in God’s work. He convicts in love and mercy with a goal to unite and reconnect us to Himself. Even in the hardest corrections and convictions I have received from the Spirit I never felt forsaken. Sure, I experience grief but never His hatred. I can say that when I rise above the grief I always feel His love. I know His correction is for me not against me.
The proof of all that I am saying is clearly seen in the Word. One of the most stark expressions of this is actually found in the story of our father Adam and mother Eve. Both of these children of God experienced deep separating shame. Their sin of rebellion exposed them to shame and separation. Again the lie of shame always separates us in our minds from the love of Christ. While the Bible says nothing can separate us from the love of God, shame does separate us from our ability to receive this Truth.
After the fall Adam and Eve experienced the shame of their nakedness. Shame was the result. God responded “Who told you you were naked?!” They responded in blame and shame. Think about it the sewed fig leaves to cover that which was pure…this is shame. And we do the same even today. We damage control by using shame. Even when we behave shamefully, shame is never the solution. While we think shame is a shield, like I said, it is only a prison.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:11 ESV
But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50:7 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
My shame is over many times failing with addiction and walking away from the Lord.. Relationships that have broken and damaged.. Christ forgiveness versus earthly friendship’s forgiveness,, some damage can not ever be right!! It can be forgiven,, but damage is sometimes to a point of no repair.. Anyway that is what I am struggling with ,, but God’s love is amazing and I have to truly repent and be obedient
This is true Patrick. I am sorry for the pain you have experienced. Addiction and our walking away from the Lord always makes a colossal mess of things. Sometimes our sins and brokenness smashes the trust of others and some of those relationships will never be restored. But even though we can feel hopeless in the moment, the Lord can and will perform a miracle. It may not look as we thought it should be He will reveal Himself and the one constant. In that there is tremendous safety. I will pray for you if you and stand with you… Read more »
Yes,yes,yes, Oh John, it is self-condemnation. Jesus not only took all our sins and sorrows but he took our shame……..it was a shame to be hung on a tree, so scripture says. I didn’t put all of this together until your post. I have been guilty of wearing shame as a garment. I receive HIS carrying my shame to the cross and then I am free from wearing shame any longer!!!! Bless you and thank you blessed Savior Jesus Christ.
I see shame as a byproduct of the god of self; “I am the center of life and it is up to me to get what makes me happy. This goes against our created nature by God and shame results when we cross that line.