October 16 | Overcoming Shame
Psalms 34:4-5, "4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
In today’s passage, we’re reminded of four things that happen when we seek the Lord; first, whenever we call on Jesus He will always answer us. Second, He will deliver us from all our fears. Third, our lives will be radiant with His love. Fourth, our faces will never be covered with shame.
Shame is defined as, “a painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness or disgrace.” The Bible teaches that the people tried to shame Jesus while crucifying Him but He scorned their shame, Hebrews 12:2 reads, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus said, “no” to shame and embarrassment.
He knew that He wasn’t guilty of sin and that the Father was on His side. It didn’t matter what other people said or what they thought about Him- Jesus wasn’t going to allow Himself to feel unworthy or disgraced. He knew the Father loved Him and that was all that mattered. He decided in His heart not to let anyone take away His confidence in God.
Shame is a choice; you can choose to receive it or reject it.
Just like Jesus, you have a choice to either let people shame you or to reject it. Shame is the opposite of God’s love. Which one do you want to live with; shame or God’s love? The moment you accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life you were saved from ever feeling shame again. Even if you sin you can be forgiven without feeling shame. Once again, shame is never from God. Thomas Watson said, “Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages.” Sin, the devil, shame and death are everything Jesus set us free from on the cross!
Conviction is the Holy Spirit reminding you of who you are in Christ. Shame (or condemnation) is the devil telling you who you are not. If you ever feel like you’re not who God said you are- loved, forgiven and blessed; confess the Word of God over your life and decide to reject shame! Paul said in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Repeat out loud with me, “There is no condemnation for me in Christ Jesus!” It doesn’t matter where guilt or shame comes from (i.e., “the devil, your own thoughts, loved ones, people around you, etc.”); you never have to accept it.
John wrote in his first epistle, “20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:20-21). Now it’s your choice to believe what God says or what shame says- I choose to believe I am who Jesus said I am and reject shame. Decide with me to have confidence in who God is and who God said you are- His beloved, righteous child.
Do you want to reject shame once and for all? Pray this out loud, “Father, forgive me for allowing my feelings of guilt and condemnation to change how I see you and myself. I believe you are who you said you are and I believe I am who you said I am. Therefore, I reject and despise all shame! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
REFLECTION
Have you allowed shame in your life?
ACTION
- Repent if have allowed shame to be in your life.
- Pray and ask God to fill you with His love.
- Whenever shame tries to come into your life, believe and speak the Word of God and reject shame!