1. Introduction:
· Genesis 2:25 - “They were both naked, the man and his wife and they were not ashamed”.
· God’s original design for man – to be unashamed – connected, confident and creative.
· Shame is an enemy that attaches to people and steals their identity and intimacy.
· Genesis 3:7-10 - “I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself”.
- When sin entered Adam lost his covering of Glory – he was damaged by sin.
- Adam became conscious of being different – he was ashamed.
- Adam and Eve covered themselves - with fig leaves – verse 7
- Concealed themselves – amongst the trees of the garden – verse 8
· Genesis 3:21 - “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made garments of skin and clothed them”.
· Adam and Eve had to remove their covering to receive what God provided.
· God provided a suitable covering for them.
· God’s covering required the death / shedding of blood of an innocent animal.
· This is a prophetic picture of God’s willingness to remove our shame by the Cross.
2. Sources of Shame:
1) Our own sin:
· Proverbs 14:34 - “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people”.
· Reproach = to put to shame, humiliate.
· Our own actions can be a cause of embarrassment and shame.
· Romans 3:23 - ‘All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”.
2) Demonic Spirits:
· Genesis 3:11 - “Who told you, you were naked?”
· Adam and Eve were vulnerable because of their sin and changed condition.
· Most likely the devil came and exposed them to ridicule, pointing out their nakedness.
· Satan made them aware of their nakedness and impending judgment.
· Revelation 12:10 - “The accuser of the brethren …who accused them day and night”.
Satan = one who hurls accusations against us to shame and belittle us.
· E.g. Nehemiah 2:19-20 - “The enemies of God’s people shame and ridicule them. Nehemiah arises and Unashamedly throws of the shaming”.
3) Shaming Actions of Others:
· When others shame us the pain and grief is usually internalized.
· We begin to agree with the shame message: ‘Something is wrong with me’.
· Examples:
1. Unborn child – takes on the shame of his mother.
2. Sexual abuse – something forced on them which they never wanted.
3. Physical abuse – hitting, beating, hair-pulling, slapping face, angry hitting (child takes on the shame as if it is his/her fault).
4. Verbal abuse - name calling, scolding, labeling, constant criticism.
5. Shaming emotions - ‘boy’s don’t cry’, ‘you shouldn’t think like that’.
6. Unfavorable comparison - ‘why can’t you be like your brother’.
7. Manipulation / control - ‘If you love me you will’.
8. Constant blaming / criticism
9. Rescuing - taking too much responsibility for others (e.g. parents rescuing children, overprotect)
10. Financial neglect or poverty - personal value based on $
11. Teachers ridicule - in front of peers.
12. Born wrong sex - girls never properly valued, compared unfavourable to boys.
13. Divorce - children can feel shame of broken family.
14. Male Chauvinism - dishonoring and put down woman, treat as sex object.
15. Ethnic shaming - treated as inferior or with prejudice.
16. Media shame - constant communication of inferiority – appearance, possessions, positions, e.g. Barbie Dolls.
17. Church shaming - judgmental attitudes, pride and superiority.
· Shaming = making people feel they are damaged, lacking, inferior.
3. Breaking Free of Shame:
· Shame is:
a. An accusing spirit that torments.
b. An emotional pain and bondage.
c. A way of thinking, viewing God and self.
· Keys for breaking free:
1. Come to Christ - the One who bore our shame.
2. Break the Attachments to Shame.
3. Change the Inner Beliefs;
- How you see God
- How you see Yourself.
4. Change the Way you Relate to people;
- refuse to be shamed
- refuse to shame others
- refuse to compare with others
Key 1 - Come to Christ:
· Jesus bore our shame, He understands our suffering.
· Isaiah 50:6-7 - Jesus chose to pay the full price for shame.
· Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus despised His pain.
· Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus was cruelly shamed by soldiers.
- Jesus was stripped – abused – shamed – ridiculed.
- The Crucifixion was a means of death and of public shame.
- Jesus’ shame was labialized in 3 languages – for all to see.
- Jesus bore our shame on the Cross. John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:7