“My disgrace is before me all day long,
and shame has covered my face.”
Psalm 44:15
Some years ago while in prayer I saw something. There was a white marble fountain situated in a gorgeous courtyard. It was beautiful. As I looked I realized that it didn’t have clean fresh water like you might think, but it spewed feces and urine. It was gross, it was awful, and I immediately understood.
I realize that I was that marble fountain, and I generated only filth.
Being ashamed is cruelty that can only destroy a person. We think we must have defense mechanisms to survive. We drink, use drugs, and get involved with sex. Some might put on a tie and raise their hands during our church worship time. Whatever works I suppose. Almost always shame drives us to look for ways to escape.
People who live with shame often feel worthless, depressed, and anxious.
Shame can be a contributing factor to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. People who are constantly ashamed live out a difficult emotional and mental battle each and every day.
The Hebrew word for “shame” is disgrace, confusion, or dishonor.
I believe only the power and blood of Jesus can purify me. Only He has the ability to clean my spirit. In the New Testament, we see Jesus healing the leper with just a touch. Shame will be removed from your heart when he touches your own “leprosy” of sin.
Here are things you must consider.
- Shame separates me from God.
- Shame is a sign of self-hatred.
- Shame makes me feel like giving up.
- Shame leads me to go out and sin more.
- Shame destroys the gifts that He is waiting for me to serve others.
- Shame makes me judgemental and critical of others.
- Shame weakens the Church in ways I can’t comprehend.
These two verses (below) are true. They will move you out of shame and guilt. These two must be believed and put into practice before you can be really free. It will probably be a battle–every day. The following two promises are crucial.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.”
1 John 1:9, LB
“Once again you will have compassion on us. You will tread our sins beneath your feet; you will throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
Micah 7:19
I must reiterate this, and use all authority God has given to me as a teacher, please shake this off.
I so want you to be free from shame.
Unless you step completely away from the shame you’ll be destroyed by the enemy. I dare not pull any punches with you. I don’t mean to be hard, I really don’t.
I strongly suggest you share your battle with another believer who will understand and be discreet.
Shame is the ugly fountain that only produces deadly things. It’s that shame that keeps me from understanding that I’m the beloved of God and His precious child.
Broken Believers 