Freedom From Shame

One of the themes in my conversations lately is the difference between conviction and condemnation. One is from God and the other is not. When we mess up, the Holy Spirit brings conviction to let us know we’ve been guilty of sinning. At the same time, the accuser brings condemnation because we’ve sinned and that produces shame. Just like in the Garden of Eden, shame makes us want to separate and hide from God until a self imposed period of penance has concluded. Whereas the Holy Spirit’s conviction is designed to have us immediately repair the relationship with God through repentance. We must be careful condemnation and shame have a way of maintaining a barrier between us and God.

After over 400 years of slavery and 40 years in the wilderness, Israel had developed a sense of shame. In the wilderness it kept them from approaching God. Instead they had Moses approach Him. They had Moses also speak to God in their behalf even though God was rescuing them. When they arrived in the Promised Land, they were still being driven by shame. So God had them go through circumcision and to celebrate the Passover to mark them as His and to remind them that they were His. Then in joshua 5:9 God said, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt” (NLT). God took away their shame. He needed that separation gone so they could become more than conquerors and take possession of all God had for them.

Romans 8:1-2 says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” God has not given you a spirit of shame or condemnation. His desire is to roll away that burden from you to let you know you belong to Him. He has forgiven you and freed you from the sin that separated you from Him when you repented. It no longer has a hold on you. This whole chapter of Romans 8 is to help you understand He has given you a spirit of sonship instead of shame. You are His child. The apple of His eye. Quit letting shame hold you back. Read Romans 8 over and over through this lens until it sinks in that nothing you’ve done will separate you from His love. God wants you to live your life led by His Spirit and not by shame.

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash