Shame

Shame has become a significant emotion in our time. What does the Bible say about shame?

What does the Bible say about shame? -

1. Original innocence - Genesis 2v7-25
2. Shame begins - Genesis 3v1-12
3. Shame over values - Mark 8v38
4. Shame overcome - Hebrews 12:2-3
5. Shamers shamed - 1 Corinthians 1v26-29

Original Innocence - Genesis 2v7-25

Genesis 2v7-25

Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. ... Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What was the key ingredient that brought the man to life as a person what does that say about life?
2. What is the significance of the fact that they were naked and felt no shame?

Thoughts to consider

Shame was not a part of the original design of people. People were created in a state which within our culture would leave us ashamed, yet because of their innocence, they felt no shame.

Shame Begins

Genesis 3v1-12

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How was shame introduced among people?
2. Why would the knowledge of good and evil expose naked people to feel shame?
3. How do people cover themselves from nakedness and shame in our day?

Thoughts to consider

Shame is an emotional reaction to being exposed. When we are exposed, our deepest secrets and reality are open to view. We fear people’s reaction and desire to hide for protection.

Shame over values

Mark 8v38

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What would lead to someone being ashamed of Jesus?
2. Why would Jesus be ashamed of that person?

Thoughts to consider

To whom am I the most loyal? To my friends and family or to Jesus who saved me? We are tempted to avoid ridicule from people, but if we are disloyal to Jesus then we will be exposed to a greater shame.

Shame Overcome

Hebrews 12:2-3

Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What was it about the cross that would have brought shame to Jesus?
2. How did Jesus overcome the shame that was inflicted upon him?

Thoughts to consider

Shame is an emotion that responds to exposure. There are people who weaponise shame in order to control behaviour or inflict punishment. God’s love and the hope of his eventual vindication can take us through the experience of shame.

Shamers shamed

1 Corinthians 1v26-29

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How do those who are wise, powerful or wealthy use shame on those who are not?
2. How does God use those who have seem to have no wisdom, power or wealth to shame those who think they do?

Thoughts to consider

Those who seem to have something attempt to redefine reality about what they value and to shame those who don’t fit. Jesus who is the way and the truth and the life uses the devalued to expose the lie of those attempting to redefine reality.

Overview question for reflection or discussion

1. What is used to bring shame on people in your culture?
2. How could you through God overcome the shame that people might want to inflict on you?

Thoughts to consider

Shame is an emotion. It in itself is neither right nor wrong. The issues are: How we behave when feeling shame, threatened by shame or threatening shame. Shame leaves us in a place of weakness but Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Photo Credit

Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash