Abashment, distress, embarrassment, humiliation and mortification are words associated with shame. This painful feeling is caused by conviction, an internal alarm alerted by consciousness within minds. God designed human beings with a sense of right and wrong. The moment your actions cross this invisible line, spirits of guilt and shame inflict souls with a sense of wrong doing. While God extends his hand, offering grace and forgiveness to those who trespass against others, shame often blocks out the sun.
And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself,” Genesis 3:10.
Shame is a byproduct of sin. This overwhelming sense of remorse first struck Adam and Eve after breaking God’s only rule, to avoid eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This initial compromising act opened the door for shame to haunt souls for the past 6000 years. One of the ways the Devil inflicts harm on earth is through preventing individuals from forgiving themselves. Playing flashbacks of previous errors in your thoughts, perfectionists struggle to let go of foolish mistakes. The more people think about themselves, the Devil uses shame to block out the son, the good news about Jesus Christ.
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy, Isaiah 61:7.
An Old Testament prophet uses God’s promises to break through clouds of shame. Since this ancient book depicts an angry and jealous God, grasping the concept of grace, God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense, was difficult to comprehend. Nonetheless, Isaiah gave a glimpse of the New Testament, an introduction to the abundant life, John 10:10. Yet, for many believers, shame stands in the way of experiencing everlasting joy. Therefore, if you are having a tough time letting go of your past, invite the Holy Spirit to break up these clouds. If you do, the light of Christ will begin to shine through, dissipating any reminders of shame that remains.
by Jay Mankus
