2 Corinthians 4:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”  NKJV

 

This is a subject that has long been on my radar and one that I could not possibly do justice to in a brief devotional but let’s hit the high points in an attempt to motivate you to study it further and more deeply.  I am always looking for anything that will help me see ‘imprisoned souls’ freed.  Most of those living in deep spiritual bondage have a root in ‘shame’.

In Genesis 2 as we consider God’s creation of man we find a most interesting statement regarding them – “They were not ashamed”.  In the very next chapter we find Adam and Eve hiding because of ‘shame’.  They were created unashamed but quickly learned shame and shame always brings fear.  One of the possible reasons is shame carries the prison of fear of exposure.  Shame is totally unable to be transparent and lives in fear.  I believe the first portion of 1 Corinthians 4 is a powerful remedy for the prison of shame.

Paul says, “We have renounced the ‘hidden things of shame’.”  Do not most try to ‘hide’ their shame?  Shame is virtually always ‘hopeless’.  So, if we have renounced the hidden things refuse to walk in craftiness or misapplying the Word of God in deceit and deception then and only then can we walk in the manifestation of truth.  I have no doubt there are more but I want to highlight three types of shame and either in this or the next devotional focusing on the third.  I want us to consider HOW and WHY we walk in shame of any kind, the consequences and the remedy.  I truly believe that ‘shame’ is at the root of the sin problem for at the root of shame is ‘unbelief.’

THE FIRST KIND OF SHAME – – Healthy.

This shame identifies to our hearts our limitations and understanding that we are not God but responsible to Him.  It is a ‘healthy guilt’.  It reveals our humanness and fallen nature and need of the work of Christ on the Cross.  This kind of shame is easily dealt with.  Romans 10:11 – “Whoever believes on Jesus will not be put to shame.”  Isaiah tells us that Messiah ‘endured the shame’.  Therefore, the guilt of sin is or can be dealt with at the Cross.  This is the opposite of ‘shamelessness’ where one has no sense of guilt or awareness of sin and therefore no godly sorrow.

THE SECOND KIND OF SHAME – – That Which We Cause To Others.

This can be, and often is, by words spoken or putting others in embarrassing situations, etc.  It may be incredibly subtle and may even be done well intentioned.  Ministers have long ‘shamed’ their children trying to move them to righteousness.  I knew a minister who repeatedly told his children, “If you ever get into drugs, alcohol, pregnant, I will leave the church and the ministry immediately even if I have to dig ditches.”  That is shame!   People shame others with jokes.  Proverbs 26:19 identifies that it is a sin if we do it then say, “I was just joking.”  There is a place for humor but not bringing shame.  This is also easily dealt with through repentance and confession of our sin.

THE THIRD KIND OF SHAME – – Unhealthy, Devastating, Destructive.

It is the kind of shame that was ‘given to us’ that was ‘not about us’.  The first kind of shame we take to the Cross and the result of our sins.  The second we take to the Cross and go to those shamed in repentance but this type does not say, “You made a mistake it says YOU ARE a mistake.”  I have heard parents tell their children, “you are worthless and will never amount to anything.”  I cringe when I hear that for that is this kind of SHAME and is birthed in the pit of hell.

I want to dig into this a bit deeper so I will hit the pause button and come back tomorrow with a little more on this type of shame.  God bless you richly is my desire and prayer!