Anchorage: The Storm of Shame | Part 8 of 8Sample

Obedience is Better

Oftentimes when we are experiencing shame due to sin, our first reaction is to 'do' good things to 'make up for it.' In other words, we overcompensate. The thought process is that perhaps if we do enough good, we will be able to please God with these “sacrifices.” Maybe if the rights outweigh the wrongs, God will see us as mostly good, and then we'll be mostly acceptable to Him.

In 2 Samuel 11, the "man after God’s own heart," David, did something unthinkable. In the wrongdoing with Bathsheba and the death of Uriah, it was clear that he wasn't living up to His God-given calling. But, as soon as David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, his immediate response was repentance. It eventually came in the form of a song through Psalm 51, and an example of godly sorrow is on display. This psalm has now become a model to emulate when we experience the shame that accompanies sin.

Perhaps what lies at the crux is David's warning not to overcompensate.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17, ESV

Sacrifices and burnt offerings for us in the present day can be compared to our attempt at good works and good deeds. We try to overcompensate for what’s wrong by overdoing what’s right. But surely God does not delight in that. He would much rather appreciate a broken spirit that would simply come to Him in repentance and make a vow to live in obedience to Him alone!

Remind yourself when you fall into sin and are engulfed by shame that the answer to that is not to start doing more good and try to overcompensate. The best thing to do is to simply come back to God, turn from your wrongdoings in heart and action, and surrender to His will. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Reflection

If you've found yourself in the rhythm of overcompensating, it's best to renew your mind in how God thinks toward us. Think of and write down two times in scripture when Jesus responded to sin. What did he do, and what did he say? In light of this, how is He responding to your sin today?