Shame

by Terry Wane Benton

“For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:12). Yet many want to flaunt what should be held in shame. Some want others to see their pride in their rebellion against the word of God and want to shame those who do not support their abomination and sinfulness. Jeremiah 6 speaks of people who were not at all ashamed of their abominations, so that “neither can they blush.” People sear their consciences and try to convince themselves that their evil desire is actually good in an effort to justify themselves. Some even misuse the grace of God and turn it into license (Jude 4) to continue in their choice of sin (Romans 6:1f). All efforts to no longer feel shame for their choice of sin.

Anyone who flaunts sin should be ashamed before God. Adding denial to the list of sins only delays repentance and salvation. Until an alcoholic faces the truth and quits denying he has a problem, he will never be saved from his problem and his state of divine condemnation. The word of God exposes the sin problem. Let all of it be taught, else some sins will be flaunted, and we help people deceive themselves to hell. (I Corinthians 6:8-10). That is not good!

We don’t point out sin for the sake of shaming people, but with the hope that shame before God might lead to reconciliation with God and the transformation of heart and life.