The Lies We Believe About GodНамуна

Shame on You

Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, humankind has been coated in shame. God has done all He can to cleanse us of our shame, the greatest expression being Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. No one pays a price that high for something unlovable, unworthy, and undesirable. Beyond cleansing our shame by His death on the cross, God made us in His image, adopted us into His royal family, made us spiritually rich, empowered us with His strength, exchanged our old ugly nature for a beautiful one, and included us in His great adventure. After doing all that, how could any of us continue to think of God as a shamer?

To overcome the lie that God is a shamer, I suggest the spiritual discipline of confession. Scripture challenges us to “confess [our] sins to each other and pray for each other so that [we] may be healed” (James 5:16). If we are not honest with others about the sinful things we do and the character defects we struggle with, Satan has a greater opportunity to keep us in bondage to self-condemnation and shame. Richard Foster put it well when he said, “The Disciplines of confession brings an end to pretense. God is calling us into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ.” In counseling, we say, “You are only as sick as your secrets.” To overcome shame, we have to quit hiding and covering up. We have to be courageous enough to share our struggles and let the grace and support of others help us heal.

Saint Alphonsus Liguori wrote, “For a good confession three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin.” First, we must go before God and allow Him to prod our consciences about the things that require His forgiveness. Second, we must experience genuine remorse about having sinned and having hurt the heart of God. Third, we must ask God to help us have a strong desire to live holy lives.

God is no shamer. He came to set you free from shame, cleanse you with His love and grace, reinstate you into His family, and make you part of His great adventure. No, God is no shamer.