Shame and being set free from shame is such a hot topic, in both Christian and secular circles. Resources abound, but what does the Bible actually say? As we completed a biblical survey on shame, we were surprised at how much the Bible had to say on this topic! Listen in as we share key biblical principles that are necessary in order to deal with the universal emotion of shame.
Shame and being set free from shame is such a hot topic, in both Christian and secular circles. Resources abound, but what does the Bible actually say? As we completed a biblical survey on shame, we were surprised at how much the Bible had to say on this topic! Listen in as we share key biblical principles that are necessary in order to deal with the universal emotion of shame.
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Biblical Survey on Shame:
I. Genesis 2-3- Naked and unashamed… No sin, nothing to hide from one another or God, perfect unity in relationships, acceptance of one another. After sinning, they hid and covered themselves and were afraid… shame leads to fear, hiding parts of ourselves, isolation, and disconnection. Shame came when sin entered the world.
Now, there are two general sources of shame- directly from personal and/or corporate sin, or indirectly due to the brokenness in the world.
There are also biblical examples of people trying to make others feel ashamed for things they shouldn’t feel ashamed of, such as barrenness. So there is appropriate shame and inappropriate shame.
II. Appropriate shame due to sinful behavior in Proverbs and prophets:
Proverbs: There are ways of foolish or sinful living, such as dishonesty, gluttony, and laziness, that are shameful, that bring shame on oneself and one’s parents or spouse.
-Prov 10:5- He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
-Prov 12:4- An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
-Prov 13:5- The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
-Prov 17:2- A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
-Prov 18:13- If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
-Prov 19:26- He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
-Prov 28:7- The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
-Prov 29:15- The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Sexual sin/misconduct is especially shameful:
-Lev. 20:17- A man seeing his sister’s nakedness is a disgrace.
-2 Sam. 13:12-13- When Amnon violated Tamar. “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!" But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.… “Where could I bear my disgrace, reproach, humiliation?”
-Matt. 1:19- “Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce Mary quietly.”
-Rom. 1:27- Men committing shameless acts with men.
Isaiah: A life of rejecting God and worshipping idols is the most shameful life. Idolatry always leads to shame and disappointment.
-Is 30:3-5- The protection of Pharaoh shall turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation… everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace… Egypt’s help is worthless and empty...
-Is 41:8, 10, 11- Israel, my servant, chosen, friend…All who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.
-Is 42:9-11- All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.
-Is 42:17- They are turned back and utterly put to shame who trust in carved idols.
-Is 45:16-17, 19, 24-25- All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together. But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity… For I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, “Seek me in vain.” “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”
-Is 49- I am honored in the eyes of the Lord…Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me. Can a woman forget her nursing child?... Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands… you shall put them (your enemies/destroyers) all on as an ornament… with their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you and lick the dust of your feet… Those who wait for me shall not be put to shame… for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.
-Is 50:6-9- I gave my back to those who strike; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
-Is 51:7, 12-13- Fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations… I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day b/c of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy?
-Is 61:7- Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.
Sometimes shame is due to both sin and resulting defeat from enemies and/or God’s judgment:
-Ezra 8:22- “I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him… so we fasted and implored God for this, and he listened.
-Ezra 9:6-7- At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God... From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day…
-Neh. 1:3- “The remnant is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days…Confessing the sins of the people of Israel which we have sinned against you…
-Daniel 9:7- To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame…in all the lands to which you have driven them, b/c of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, b/c we have sinned against you.
III. Shame not directly due to personal sin, but due to perceived failure, deficiency, or defeat:
Barrenness was considered shameful by society:
-Gen. 30:23- Rachel was ashamed of her barrenness, and when God gave her Joseph, she said, God has taken away my reproach.
-1 Sam. 1:6- Peninah provoked Hannah grievously to irritate her, b/c the Lord had closed her womb.
-Luke 1:6- When Elizabeth conceived John, she said, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among the people.
Being defeated by enemies feels shameful:
-1 Sam. 17:26- “David asked, What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach (disgrace, dishonor) from Israel? For who is this Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God?”
-2 Sam. 10:5 / 1 Chron. 19:5- Ammonite king distrusted David’s men and shaved off half their beards and cut their garments at their hips. “The men were greatly ashamed.”
-2 Kings 18- When Rabshakeh came and taunted Hezekiah and Israel. Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord, and said, “This is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace… pray…”
-2 Chron. 32:21- The Lord sent an angel and gave victory to Hezekiah, and the king of Assyria returned with shame of face to his own land and was killed by his sons.
-Shame due to disapproval from others, but not necessarily personal sin- 2 Sam. 19:3, 5- The people won the battle but Absalom died, and David was grieving, and the people who fought for him and won were ashamed, and Joab rebuked David, and David listened.
Sometimes shame is a result of seeing others’ devotion and our lack of devotion (comparison): 2 Chron. 30:15- Hezekiah urged the people to celebrate the Passover. “The priests were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.” They saw the people’s desire to worship and were ashamed of their lack of devotion and consecration to God.
Now let’s see how God responds.
IV. When shame is an appropriate response to sin and a part of true confession and repentance, God is always ready to receive His children, welcome them into His Presence, replace their shame with gladness, and heal their faithlessness.
-Jer. 3:19-25; 4:2, 4, 14- I wanted to be your father, your husband… Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness. Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains…But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God… If you return, O Israel, to you should return… in ME you shall glory… Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your heart… wash your heart from evil…
-Jer. 31- I will restore the fortunes of my people… your wounds I will heal… Again I will build you… With weeping they shall come, and with pleas of mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water… for I am a father to Israel… He who scattered Israel will gather him… they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord… their life shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall languish no more…I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness… You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored… for after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, b/c I bore the disgrace of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son, my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my hearts yearns for him; I shall have mercy on him, declares the Lord…. I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.
V. When people continue in shameless sin, pride, and idolatry, God shames and judges them. In the book of Jeremiah, God’s people are persisting in unrepentant idolatry, defiling God’s places of worship with idolatry, and prophets are lying to the people in the name of God. God warns His people many times, but they are stiff-necked, stubborn, and unashamed of their idolatry. “They do not know how to blush.” God shames Israel and sends judgment upon them- for their unrepentant idolatry, for changing their glory (God) for that which does not profit (false gods), which is appalling, evil, and bitter. But God’s heart is ALWAYS that His judgment (and shaming words) would lead to them feeling a proper shame over their sin, confess, turn back to God, and be restored. He remains ready to receive them, heal them, and turn their shame into joy.
God’s judgment of Israel’s shameless idolatry and refusal to repent in Jeremiah:
-Jer. 2:11-13, 26, 36- God judging and shaming Israel for their idolatry, apostasy, sin, and rebellion… My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled o heavens; be shocked… for my people have forsaken me…You bowed down like a whore… As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed…You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. From it too you will come away with your hands on your head, for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper by them.
-Jer. 5:3, 30, 31; 6:13-15- They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent… An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?... From the least to the greatest of them everyone is greedy for unjust gain… were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.
-Jer. 6:13-20- The answer to ongoing, unrepentant sin (in our lives and other believers’) is not to say, “peace, peace” and overlook it. Sin needs to be addressed honestly, and called out at times, even when that may feel harsh at times.
-Jer. 7:18-20- They make cakes to the queen of heaven, pour drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger. Is it I whom they provoke? Declares the Lord. Is it not themselves, to their own shame? Therefore, my anger and wrath will be poured out…
-Jer. 8:5-6, 9- They refuse to return; no man relents of his evil, saying, “What have I done?”… The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken.
-Jer. 10:14-16- Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion… Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance.
-Jer. 11:12-15- Then the cities will cry to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they cannot save them in the time of their trouble. For your gods have become as many as your cities, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal. Therefore do not pray for this people… What right has my beloved in my house, when she has done many vile deeds?
-Jer. 13:24-27- I will scatter you like chaff… This is your portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord, b/c you have forgotten me and trusted in lies. I myself will lift up your skirts over your face, and your shame will be seen. I have seen your abominations, your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will it be before you are made clean?
-Jer. 17:13- All who forsake you shall be put to shame, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water…
-Jer. 23:40- to lying prophets, who filled people with vain hopes and led people astray with their lies- “And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.”
The book of Jeremiah ends with God’s judgment on foreign nations and Israel’s enemies who rejected God and continued in shameless sin, pride, and idolatry (Jer. 46-51). Their sin and idolatry led to their shame, disappointment, and God’s judgment. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise that His enemies would be ultimately shamed, and His people would be ultimately honored.
Jer. 46:12, 24- judgment on Egypt, shall be put to shame; Jer. 48:1, 20, 39- judgment on Moab, put to shame; Jer. 50:1, 12- Judgment on Babylon- Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, and her idols are dismayed…. Your mother shall be utterly shamed, disgraced… Jer. 51:17, 47-53 - judgment on Babylon- Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols… They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish…. I will punish the images of Babylon; her whole land shall be put to shame, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her… Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel… we are put to shame; dishonor has covered our face, for foreigners have come into the holy places of the Lord’s house. Therefore, I will execute judgment upon her images… Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify her strong height, yet destroyers would come from me against her, declares the Lord.
Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Zechariah all continue the theme of unrepentant idolatry leading to shame and God’s judgment, and when repentant, to restoration with God.
Ez. 7:18- day of the wrath of the Lord- shame is on all faces, and baldness on all their heads; Ez. 16:61, 63- You will remember your ways and be ashamed… I will establish my covenant with you… you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again b/c of your shame, when I atone for all you have done, declares the Lord; Ez. 32:24, 25, 30- God’s judgment on Pharaoh and Egypt- all of them slain by the sword- and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.
Ez. 39:25-26- I will restore the fortunes of Jacob… they shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ land.
Ez. 43:10-11- Describe to Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities… If they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple…
Ez. 44:10-13- The priests who went far from me, going astray after idols, shall bear their punishment… they shall not come near to me… they shall bear their shame.
-Hosea 2:5- They are children of whoredom. For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully; Hos. 4:7, 18- The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame… When their drink is gone, they give themselves to whoring; their rulers dearly love shame; Hos. 9:10- They came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved; Hos. 10:6- Ephraim shall be put to shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his idol.
NT examples of God shaming prideful, unrepentant, shameless people:
-Luke 13:16-17- Jesus to synagogue rulers after healing woman with a disabling spirit for 18 years on Sabbath- “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham who Satan bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced…
-1 Cor. 1:27- “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
-Rev. 3:18- You are lukewarm… You say you are rich… not realizing you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
VI. God promises not to let His people be put to shame (be ultimately defeated, ridiculed, or proven wrong), but to in the end to defend them, give them justice, honor, and eternal life. God’s enemies will ultimately be put to shame.
-Psalm 25:2-3, 20- O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous… Deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
-Psalm 34- Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed… The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
-Psalm 71:1, 13, 24- “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!... You are my hope, my trust… May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt… They have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.”
-Ps 97:7- All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship Him, all you gods!
-Daniel 12:2- Many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
-Rom. 5:3-5- We rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance, and endurance character, and character hope, and hope does not put us to shame, b/c God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the HS who has been given to us.
-Rom. 9:33- “I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Quote of Is. 28:16)- also quoted in 1 Peter 2:6-7
-Rom. 10:11- With the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction b/w Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (quote of Joel 2:32). (No one who calls out to God for salvation will be rejected, which would make them feel ashamed. Everyone will be accepted and saved equally).
-Phil. 1:20- I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this (prison) will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
-Heb. 11:16- These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth… but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
-1 Peter 2:6-7- quote of Is. 28:16- Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe…
VII. Jesus was shamefully treated (ridiculed, mocked, considered a failure, embarrassed, dishonored)- by others and b/c of our sin- in our place on the cross. On the cross he took not only our sin, but also the accompanying shame, for us. On the cross, he defeated Satan and all his enemies, putting them to shame.
-Psalm 22- But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him…”
-Isaiah 53- He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted…
-Luke 18:32- Jesus foretold his death to his disciples- “He will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.”
-Heb. 12:2- Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Col. 2:15- God disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
-Rom. 8:1- There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
VIII. Jesus-followers are commanded by Jesus to follow Him and not be ashamed of Him, the gospel, or suffering for the gospel, at all cost.
-Jeremiah warned the people of judgment for their sin and idolatry, in the face of persecution and rejection (and feeling shamed), and trusted God to ultimately honor him and shame the people.
-Jer. 17: “Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!”
-Jer. 20:11, 18- “But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed… O Lord… let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause….Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?
-Jer. 37-38- Jeremiah was beaten, imprisoned, and thrown into a cistern with no water, but only mud, and sank in the mud, for speaking the truth of God’s judgment.
-Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26- Let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me… for whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels.
-Rom. 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
-1 Thess. 2:2- But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
-2 Tim. 1:8, 12- Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling… for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
-2 Tim. 1:16- May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
-1 Peter 4:16- If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, b/c the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you… if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
-Heb. 2:11- It was fitting that he… should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.
IX. Believers have been set free from sinful lifestyles that lead to shame, unfruitfulness, and death. Believers should live honorable lifestyles that will not put them to shame, but that results in fruit, sanctification, and eternal life, and puts their opponents to shame.
-Rom. 6:21-22- But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
-Phil. 3:19- I tell you with tears, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.
-2 Tim. 2:15- Share in suffering as a good soldier… endure everything…Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
-Titus 2:8- Have sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
-1 Peter 3:16- having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
-1 Peter 5:2- Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
-Jesus taught His followers to purposefully humble themselves, take lower positions, and allow other people to exalt us, instead of exalting ourselves, which could lead to shame (embarrassment). Luke 14:9- Parable of the seats at the wedding feast- “Do not sit in place of honor, lest someone more distinguished be invited, and you be told to give that person your place, and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. Instead, sit in lowest place, so your host may tell you, “Friend, move up higher,” and then you will be honored in the presence of all… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
-Believers can be put to shame by other believers’ behavior.2 Cor. 7:14- We rejoiced at the joy of Titus, b/c Titus’s spirit has been refreshed by you all. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.
X. Sometimes believers need to rebuke one another for doing shameful things.
-1 Cor. 6:5- “When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?... I say this to your shame…”
-1 Cor. 14:35- It is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
-1 Cor. 15:34- How can some of you say that there is no resurrection from the dead?... If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die… Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. Some will ask, How are the dead raised? You foolish person!
-Eph. 5:12- Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
-2 Thess. 3:14- If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
-Titus 1:11-There are many who are insubordinate… empty talkers and deceivers… they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach… rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
-We also can call out and rebuke others’ sin without shaming them. 1 Cor. 4:14- God has exhibited us apostles as last of all… when reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure… we have become like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
XI. Sometimes, people “shame” others in order to express their anger, contempt, or criticism, and when it is unfair, we can refuse to be ashamed.
-1 Sam. 20:30, 34- Saul in anger yelling at his son Jonathan, shaming him for helping David. (Shamed = disgraced).
-2 Sam. 6:20-22- David returned to bless his household. But Michal came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (Also translated as dirty or foolish). David refused to feel ashamed for dancing for the Lord! “I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” David is saying it is appropriate to abase oneself in order to honor God, and the servant girls will actually honor me, b/c they will see that it is right. God seemed to agree with David and made Michal barren until her death.
-Job’s friends tried to shame him many times: 6:20- “They were ashamed b/c they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.” (The caravans in the desert were looking for water, but the waters disappeared… They looked on one another with confusion and dismay. This shows the disappointment of Job, that he had looked for consolation from his friends, and had not found it. He was down-cast, distressed, and disheartened, like the travelers of Tema and of Sheba; Job 8:22- “Those who hate you will be clothed with shame…” Job’s friend giving him not-helpful advice.
Job 10:15- “If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace (shame) and look on my affliction.” Full of confusion - Shame, ignominy, distress, and perplexity. On every side there was embarrassment, and he knew not what to do. His friends regarded him as vile, and he could not but admit that he was so treated by God.
Job 11:3- “Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?” Job’s friend giving bad advice and trying to shame Job. Job 19:3- “These 10 times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me?” Job is trying to reject their shame.
In the face of unfair criticism, Paul defended his ministry and refused to be ashamed: 2 Cor. 10:8- If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters; 2 Cor. 11:21- Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast… For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you… To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!