POWER OVER SHAME
TRANSFORMED: GIVE GOD CONTROL OF YOUR THINKING AND LIVE FULLY CONVINCED OF HIS LOVE - DAY 1
“You should be ashamed of yourself.” This 6-word sentence has been used as a weapon since Adam and Eve first hid in the Garden. Criticism and condemnation can fill our minds because of our own self-doubt and the continual disapproval of others. Our unfiltered thoughts seem to be inappropriate for public disclosure, so we decide to conceal how we truly feel to avoid the humiliation.
Here is the lie the enemy wants us to believe: Shame will be our constant companion throughout our lives. We should welcome shame and accept that we have good reason to beat ourselves up and feel terrible about ourselves.
The Good News of the Gospel is that our Savior endured the cross to scorn the shame and save our souls. Jesus’ sacrifice has fully paid our debt in full, and He has covered us with His grace. His righteousness is credited to our account, and now the power of the resurrected Christ dwells in us and enables us to live by faith.
When we feel overwhelmed by shame-filled thoughts, we need to look to the cross and remind ourselves that Jesus said, “It is finished.” Our Savior did all the work required to rescue us. On the day we asked Him to forgive us, He wiped the slate totally clean and fully restored us to right standing before God.
Here’s 3 truths to hold on to that will empower you to set your shame aside:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’” (Romans 10:9-11)
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fear. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:4-5)
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7)
When we live fully convinced that God so loved us that He gave His only Son to save us from sin, we can let go of the fear of shame and move forward with a fearless confidence that our salvation rests secure in His nail-scarred hands. Instead of beating ourselves up with shame-filled thoughts, we can celebrate how God has transformed our lives and tell others how Jesus has fully forgiven us and set us free forever.