Shame on Who?
David M. Schmaltz
People love their pets. I don't currently own one, but I grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, and rats. I enjoy painting pets mainly because I uniquely connect to their soul. I am amazed particularly with how soulful dogs can be. Honestly, I think they are getting more so. I watch people's social posts of their dogs from time to time, and I am amazed at the different emotions I see. As much as it may be just training, I do believe that dogs exhibit tremendous emotions of joy, peace, contentment, anger, fear, ambivalence, and shame, to name just a few. I get a kick out of seeing dogs exhibit shame when they get caught chewing things up or eating a plate of newly baked cookies off the counter, and then they try the old eye avoidance trick. To watch them show denial or just run from the inquest is very child or Adam-like. Don't you think?
Shame is a potent emotion. I believe it is an emotion we were never created to experience, and because that is so, it can mess up our psyche. We are all very familiar with shame. We know its weight and distraction. It truly is the wrench in the soul cogwheels that keeps us from operating the way we were created to operate. Eventually, it will affect us physically. Shame is terrible stuff.
Now that we have that settled let's talk about freedom! The Bible makes it clear that our Father knows that we suffer under the very powerful and dreaded experience of shame. The fruit or damage of sin is the soul disease that we contract from this fallen world. In particular, these are the sins we have committed and the sins that have been done to us. Identifying and not confusing them is the key here. Let's come back to that.
Jesus came to earth to deliver us from the power of evil and its impact on our spirit, soul, and body. The solution to our shame is simply forgiveness. Let's be completely honest here. There is no other way. We cannot think or meditate ourselves out of this pit. Only Jesus' shed blood applied in faith can set us free from the power of shame. Remember, there are two kinds of forgiveness: 1. The forgiveness that we give to people, 2. The forgiveness that we receive from God. Understanding and applying forgiveness correctly is the key to our freedom from shame. God will not change the rules for sin on our account. Sin is sin. And sin is selfishness. If we are still suffering from its impact, perhaps we are still selfish!? God will not allow us to simply forget our past.
We were created to remember and to build on life experiences. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil had a very powerful consequence. Ultimately, we must receive in faith the work of Christ's sacrifice to heal us from the guilt of sin and its stain - shame. Paul said it simply: There is no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1. Notice that it is not based on what we do or can do to fix ourselves. It simply is a choice and position of belief based on the knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done. I accept his expunging work without question or resistance.
What I have experienced and seen quite often is believers still suffering with shame over past sins and perceived mistakes or oversights. To keep this blog shorter than I expect full teaching would require, let's use some scenarios:
"My past is haunting me from the mistakes or oversights I made.
Solution: Confess your sins to God. Refuse to look back anymore at your past from that perspective. What is done is done. Any self-imposed suffering over the past only blinds us or paralyzes us from seeing or participating in the miracles of grace that can come from our broken past. Miracles begin when belief and surrender begin.
"I can't seem to forgive myself for things I did in ignorance."
Solution: This is a theological problem. In other words, you may not know what you don't know. Read the solution above and receive God's forgiveness. You didn't shed any blood for you. Jesus did. Let Him do his work without question. As a significant part of Paul's testimony, he points out that he was a murderer and enemy of the Cross out of ignorance. Christ forgave him and did mighty things through him.
3. "I can't forgive myself for things I did knowingly in rebellion."
Solution: This conflict may be a bit different. This solution requires a direct in-the-heart application of truth. For people still struggling with shame, you must ask yourself if you are still in agreement with darkness in any way. Are you covering over your mistakes? Are you using psycho-babble to lessen the blow of shame to keep you guiltless? Do you see the hamster wheel here? You may be chasing freedom, but continue to excuse darkness in the name of mercy or peace-making. Trying in pride to look strong while suffering goes nowhere. The Beatles had it right:
He's a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Unfortunately, you will never arrive at the station of freedom from shame. Today, stop trying to cover over pride and selfishness. Know this if you have created a "graven image" from your past that you still try to support, you will be loved by God and treated mercifully but still suffer the impact of shame. Embrace every part of your past, and then move on in faith. Call it what it was. Confession is to agree with God on every count! Repentance is to turn from that Golden Calf of excuse and let it tumble into the earth. Then, and only then, can your past be something that God uses to set others free.
My friend, if you embrace forgiveness and its Biblical impact, you will be healed in your spirit, soul, and your body!! I've seen it! I have experienced it!
Be blessed!!
Pastor David.
