As Christians, we’ve been made free on an emotional level from issues that the world continues to struggle with. One of those emotions is shame, something that keeps us from living happy and successful lives. Most people have something in their past that they want to hide from others because of the fear of embarrassment or humiliation; this defeats them if they don’t know what the gospel says concerning feelings. However, God has destroyed shame permanently for all who believe that He has forgiven them.

Shame and fear are closely tied together; people who are ashamed of something are afraid that others will find out what they so carefully try to hide. Whether it’s a mistake they made or something someone else did to them, they’re fearful of revealing too much. Sometimes they blame themselves and think others will reject them if they discover the skeletons in their closet. The truth is that shame and fear disappear in God’s presence. “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth…” (Isaiah 54:4, NIV).

The devil says we should be ashamed of ourselves and that we’ll be dishonored. God says otherwise. “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs” (Isaiah 61:7, NKJV). Shame isn’t what God wants for us.

Most people have become accustomed to dragging around secrets they’re ashamed of, but this is no way to live. This is Satan’s way of keeping us in bondage, but it’s not God’s will. Jesus hates shame so much that He died on the cross to remove it forever. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). When we realize this, we’ll never again let the spirit of shame dominate us.

When we sin, the guilt we feel tells us we made a mistake. If we don’t deal with the guilt right away, it turns into shame, which tells us we are a mistake. God doesn’t make mistakes; trusting in Him moves us into a position to receive His forgiveness and acceptance. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). God has forgiven us and chosen to completely forget our past sins.

Religion uses shame to control and manipulate people through fear, but this isn’t how God operates. We can rely on Him to deliver us from the pain these emotions cause. “To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame” (Psalm 22:5, NIV). Shame is deadly to our souls and spirits, but Christ’s acceptance of us just as we are revives us and allows us to really live again, not simply exist. 

The world is full of shame and condemnation, but we don’t have to be a part of it. God has called us to something great, according to His perfect plan for our lives, and there’s no need to hang back in fear. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NIV).  God cares much more about our future than our past.