Feeling Seen || Guilt v. Shame #4

Welcome to ‘Guilt v. Shame,’ a series that delves into the most prevalent themes in sermons, Bible studies, and other religious teachings. We will explore the meanings of these concepts, how they were interpreted by the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek audiences, and how our modern interpretations compare. This series is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of guilt and shame in the Bible and their integral role in your Christian journey.

Throughout this series, we will delve into the biblical concept of guilt in the first three parts and shift our focus to shame in the remaining four parts. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, I will draw upon scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments. This approach allows us to explore these concepts through the lens of Bible narratives, making the study relevant to all Christians. I aim to help you develop a biblical understanding of guilt and shame and show you how they are integral to your Christian journey.

As we venture into the final four parts of this series, let’s unravel the essence of shame. Shame, as my concordance reveals, is a state or feeling of degrading disgrace or disrepute. It can also be described as something that invites censure and reproach. These terms may seem unfamiliar-disgrace, disrepute, censure, and reproach. They’re not part of our everyday vocabulary. Let’s decipher these words and then construct a standard definition we’ll use throughout this series.

• Disgrace – a loss of reputation or respect due to a dishonorable action.
• Disrepute – the state of being held in low esteem by the public.
• Censure – express severe disapproval of someone or something
• Reproach – express disappointment in or displeasure with a person who is blameworthy or in need of an amendment

Shame is experiencing a loss of reputation or respect because of something someone committed that was considered dishonorable. Shame is being held in low self-esteem by the community around you. Shame is something that brings severe disapproval by something or someone. Shame is an expressed disappointment or displeasure with someone who has done something blameworthy or something that needs to change.

Leviticus 19:12

12          Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely.

The word Moses uses here is chalal (khaw-lal’), which means to bore or to pierce. It used to say, “Don’t file the name of God.” It reminds me of the commandment to not take God’s name in vain. Moses does not want the Israelites to use God’s name by using it to swear falsely. Do not claim the name of the Lord in what you say and do if you aren’t going to use it to bring him glory and honor. The commandment is more than not saying, “Oh my God,” like most of us were taught. Not bringing shame to God means not doing something that would cause someone to lose respect for the loving God we follow. We’re in a time of Christian Nationalism, where devoted followers of Christ are trying to force God’s teaching to the general public. God doesn’t force anything on us, so why are we focusing things on others. Jesus called us to love each other as we want to be loved. We wouldn’t want things forced onto us, right? 

It’s all too common for people to cast a judgmental eye on Christians, often due to our tendency to view nonbelievers with a ‘holier-than-thou’ mindset. We often look down on others because we can’t fathom them living and acting in ways we wouldn’t. While we may not engage in their behaviors, it’s not our role to share God’s name in a judgmental manner. We are called to love one another and to gently correct with love. Our tone often veers towards judgment and condemnation, but God is the ultimate judge! We are called to love as he loved us.

It’s easy to look at the laws of Leviticus and say we shouldn’t follow them or that they’re SO outdated. Still, I was able to show you how this law connects with Jesus’ teaching, who fulfilled the law, and to share with you practical ways we can make sure we follow it.

Psalm 34:5

5            Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Asking God for help to get through the highs and lows of life is not a sign of weakness. We will actually have joy in doing so because we have a loving friend, caretaker, and guide who will get us through the valleys and stroll with us over the hills to live the life he created us to live. No shame will come with asking for help. God doesn’t shame us for asking for help. In fact, God encourages us to come to him with everything to build a meaningful relationship. God is a source of joy, strength, and comfort in overcoming shame.

Psalm 36:9

9            For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

The imagery of God being the “fountain of life” gives us this sense of fresh, cleansing water pouring over us. It gives us life because of our spiritual thirst. This concept of God as the fountain of living water is not just a metaphor but a powerful symbol of spiritual rejuvenation and renewal. It reminds us that even in our moments of shame, we can turn to God and find the strength to overcome.

Jeremiah 2:13

13          “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me – the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all.

The people had lost their source of water, the source that kept them spiritually hydrated to live the life God called them to. Even if they did find this source again, the containers they once had were broken, and the Israelites could not hold the water they used to have.

Jesus spoke of himself as living water that could quench thirst permanently and be the source of eternal life. When we repent of our sins and ask Jesus to forgive us by faith, we receive this unending supply of life-giving water through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The source of water found in Jesus puts out the fires of shame that are often burning within us. We quench those fires through our repentance, our intentionality to turn away from our sinful actions and towards a relationship with God and living Christ-like. It may not be the easiest path to take, as we have learned through the stories of Abraham, Gideon, and Manoah, but it is the path that will lead us to eternal living.

Until next time, stay blessed!