It happened in the beginning of time and it continues to happen in the present. Shame is an emotion that everyone has experienced at one point or another. Whether it’s because of who you are, what you do/did, or who you are with, I am sure shame has knocked on your door before! But is shame inevitable? Is shame bad? Is there a way to overcome shame? What does the Bible say about shame? Let’s dive into scripture to find out!
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What Does The Bible Say About Shame?
Types of shame
Mephiboshet – Ashamed of his condition.
After a tragic accident left Mephiboshet crippled as a child, he lived his childhood, teen, and adult life being ashamed of who he was. He was so ashamed of his condition that when David invited him to sit at his table, he said the following:
2 Samuel 9:8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” (NKJV)
Although he came from royal lineage and was the only survivor of Saul’s house, he considered himself a dead dog. The tragedy he faced made him forget his true identity. He went from being Mephiboshet, possible heir to the throne to Mephiboshet, a lame man.
2 Samuel 9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet. (NKJV)
But David looked beyond his condition, his tragic accident, and his shame. He invited him to sit at his table and eat with him continuously. Because that’s what God does. Despite our past, our current condition, and our shame, He invited us to sit at his table with open arms. We can either choose to live in shame reminiscing the past or we can accept his invitation and sit at his table every single day.
Adam and Eve – Ashamed of their sin.
After Adam and Eve committed their first sin, they became the first human beings to experience shame in the world. Shame was non-existent while sin did not exist. The scripture below shows us that Adam and Eve did not know what shame was, regardless of the condition they were in:naked and vulnerable.
Genesis 2:24 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (NKJV)
However, when Adam and Eve knowingly welcomed sin into their lives, they unknowingly welcomed shame into their lives as well.
This goes to show that God did not intend for us to live our lives in shame. Shame was not a part of the picture. But the choices our ancestors have made and the ones we continue to make have consequences. And one of the immediate and direct consequences of sin is shame.
Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (NKJV)
Adam and Eve were so ashamed of themselves that they hid from God and attempted to deal with their shame by making coverings out of fig leaves.
The antidote of shame: God.
1. Psalm 31:1
In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. (NKJV)
2. Psalm 25:2
O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. (NKJV)
3. Psalm 31:17
Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; let the wicked be ashamed; let them be silent in the grave. (NKJV)
4. Isaiah 50:7
“For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. (NKJV)
God transforms shame.
5. Zephaniah 3:19
Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame. (NKJV)
6. Isaiah 54:4
“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. (NKJV)
7. Isiah 61:7
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. (NKJV)
God’s deliverance from shame.
8. Psalm 34:5
They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. (NKJV)
9. Romans 10:11
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (NKJV)
10. Psalm 25:3
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. (NKJV)
11. Romans 9:33
As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (NKJV)
12. Joel 2:27
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. (NKJV)
13. 1 Peter 4:16
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (NKJV)
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FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you found this post helpful and learned a little bit more on what the Bible says about shame. Let me know in the comments below which bible verse about shame impacted you the most!
What Does The Bible Say About?
Sending you blessings & love,
Gabby Abigail
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