Shame Has No Place in a Christian’s Life - The Crosswalk Devotional - April 21
Shame Has No Place in a Christian’s Life
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7).
I have often struggled with feelings of shame because of past actions and decisions. The hurtful words I have said in the past have caused me to develop deep shame about myself. Shame causes me to feel unworthy and extremely guilty. In other words, I feel like a terrible person, and I begin hating myself. “I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have done that.” These thoughts swim around in my head and eventually drown me.
Shame knocks at our door each day. However, instead of letting it in, we have the choice to turn it away. Although shame creeps into our hearts, we don’t have to feed into it. The devil has a way of bringing past sins back into our minds, which will cause us to feel shame, but we don't need to listen to him. Satan wants us to fall in any way possible, and this includes making us feel ashamed.
We don’t need to feel shame for past sins, as the Lord has already forgiven them. What Jesus has forgiven is forgiven forever. This means that all of our sins have been forgiven on account of the Lord’s blood. We never have to fear these past sins because they are completely forgiven. Since they are forgiven, we do not need to dwell on them.
The past is in the past, and we need to strive forward. Shame does not need to take up occupancy in our hearts or minds. Whether we are feeling shame over a past or present sin, we can bring it before Jesus. Jesus wants us to release these feelings and allow Him to carry them for us. In no way does the Lord expect us to carry this weight alone.
Give all of your feelings of shame over to the Lord today. Trust Him with these feelings and allow Him to lift this shame from your shoulders. In truth, the shame can only be placed there by us. Since Jesus has forgiven us of our past sins, there is no reason to continue to feel guilty. We have been given forgiveness and freedom from our past.
No longer are we defined by our past. Jesus defines us.
Isaiah 50:7 says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face like flint and know I will not be put to shame.” As this passage of Scripture tells us, we do not need to be disgraced or put to shame. Since the Lord is our help, He has caused our feet to stand on level ground. Our faces have been set like flint, and we will never be put to shame.
The Bible tells us in this passage that we no longer need to be disgraced or ashamed. We can give all of these feelings over to Jesus. He is our sovereign help and our firm foundation of hope. Reflecting on this truth, we must remember Jesus’ goodness and mercy. By reflecting on these things, we will slowly see that since Jesus doesn’t define us by our past actions, neither should we.
Since shame has been eradicated, we can move forward with our future. Jesus has given us an abundant life, and we don’t need to trade this away for a life of shame. All of us would be wise to give these feelings over to Jesus and trust them with Him. We can continually turn them over to the Lord whenever feelings of shame rise again. With time, Jesus will help us fully let go of shame once and for all.
“Dear Jesus, please help me to give all of my feelings of shame over to You. I don’t want to be held in the bondage of shame anymore. Shame has no place in my life. Instead, my life is meant to be lived in Your forgiveness, mercy, and love. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me grace every day. Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is causing you to feel shame today?
How can you let go of this shame today and give it to Jesus?
Upon reflecting on Isaiah 50:7, does it give you a new perspective of God’s love and grace? Why or why not?
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/SI Photography
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