Sense of Shame is Good but Staying in Shame is Bad

Sense of Shame is a God given voice of our conscience. The voice of right or wrong. It is meant for us to know our wrong doing and to repent immediately. However, staying in shame is bad. Jesus bore our sins and shames that we may be without shame. God's forgiveness removes our shames. Our sense of shame is for us to steer clear of shames. Do not use the shaming technique on our children because it will damage their self-worth and identity. Using it on adult seems ok but prolonged use looses its shaming effect. Be aware also that people may falsely accuse us to shame us. Bible tells us that when are wrongly persecuted for doing the right thing then there is no shame. 

What is, & More Importantly the Why of Shame
If we just look up the definition of shame. We will get the definition that shame is a painful emotion caused by strong sense of guilt or embarrassment. It is telling us the what of shame. Like Science, it does not tell us the 'why', i.e. the purpose. For the purpose, we need to check up the Bible. The shame feeling comes after Adam's sin and not before. Shame is the feeling one gets when we commit a wrong or we fail to live up to standards.

The Purpose of Shame is for us to Know we have done Wrong and that we may repent.

The Ancient Chinese Philosopher Mencius said that "Shame of Evil is the beginning and ending of Righteousness".  See also  Chinese Classics & The Bible

To know more about shame, I have the Mind-Map below. Please go through the map in details and hope you benefit from it.

God does not want us to stay in shame. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins that we may not longer be in shame and be tormented by shame. Remember that we always have a loving God that we could approach for mercy of forgiveness and grace of empowerment to live a shame free life (Heb 4:16).

Nevertheless, in this world there are evil. The evil will want to falsely accuse us and will want to shame us to prevent us for doing the right things that glorify God. The Bible assured us that there is no shame to be suffering for Christ and for righteousness sake. May God deliver us from all such wrongful accusations and vindicate us. He will trust in the Lord will not be put to shame. His enemies will be put to shame.

May God bless and lead you into a victorious and shame free life.

Lim Liat (C) 11 Sep 2012