Squashing Shame

What is the origin point of shame? Think back to the garden, when all was good and right, and an invading entity came slithering in to convince mankind that they needed independently gained goodness, to measure good and bad for themselves. And we were convinced and it killed us from the inside out. And what was our immediate response? Shame. Hiding. Covering. It was law, the knowledge of good and evil, that caused us to feel shame as a result of its exposing of our sin. Sin is the author of shame, not God.

As God’s kids, what do we know about what has happened to our sin? “And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Col 1:13-14) According to this verse Christ has forgiven ALL of our sins AND He has destroyed what was against us. The DNA evidence that the prosecuting attorney used to convict us no longer exists, and, even if it did, our DNA would no longer match it. Shame no longer has any business being in your life because you are no longer guilty.

Isn’t it a clever trick by darkness? If the enemy were to say to us, “ Hey, I want you to focus on sin, keep your mind fixed on sin.” We’d be like, no way! I know better! So instead, he says, “Just focus on forgiveness. Focus on how much you need to be forgiven. Focus on getting more forgiveness. Over and over and over.” And see, it sounds godly, doesn’t it? It has the appearance of wisdom but holds no true value as Paul would tell the Colossians (Col 2:23).

God does not speak the language of shame. So, if you are living in a state of shame are you listening to God’s voice or the enemy’s? You are righteous, not shameful (2 Cor 5:21). You are forgiven, not guilty. You are holy & dearly loved (Col 3:12). How bout today you choose to agree with God on this one and not the enemy, okay?