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WHY SHAME HAS NO PLACE IN THE CHRISTIAN WALK


VIVIAN BRICKER

Contributing Writer
Published: Apr 10, 2023

He didn’t die for our sins just for us to feel ashamed and become ineffective
for His kingdom. Rather, He died and rose again in order for us to proclaim His
goodness, love, and a new life through His Name.

Many individuals feel shame in their Christian walk. They either feel shame over
past sins, or Satan tries to cause them to doubt their salvation, which causes
feelings of shame to arise in their hearts. If you are currently feeling shame
in your Christian walk, this article is for you. But before diving into this
text, know that shame has no place in your life. Jesus died in order for you to
have freedom, and this includes freedom from shame.


NO MORE SHAME

As soon as you place faith in Christ, you are forgiven. You are forgiven for
your past, present, and future sins. There is no reason to have shame because
all of your sins have been forgiven because of Jesus. Satan tries to cause
doubts and feelings of shame to come into our minds, but this is just one of his
tactics to make us ineffective for God. You can take your stand against the
devil’s schemes by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). 

The Apostle Paul tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). As Paul tells us, we are no longer under
condemnation because of Jesus. This means shame has no place in our Christian
walk. Shame is only set in our hearts by Satan. He wants to hinder our work for
Christ. Satan does this because he knows if he causes so much shame to fill our
minds that we will dwell on it and fall into a downward spiral of negative
feelings. 




THE DIFFERENCE IN GUILT AND SHAME

We don’t need to give Satan this enjoyment because we are followers of Christ,
and we have nothing to be ashamed of. It is important to note here that shame
and guilt are two different things. Guilt is feeling remorse over a sinful
action or behavior. Shame is placed on us by Satan to make us ineffective. Guilt
is something we will experience, yet we can turn away from the sin and ask for
forgiveness from God. Once we have asked for God’s forgiveness, He forgives us,
and there is no barrier in our relationship to Him. The Apostle John says, “If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Since God has forgiven us, there is no longer a reason for a Christian to feel
shame. We will all still experience guilt at times after we commit a sin, yet we
can make that feeling go away by confessing to God and turning away from the
sin. While guilt can linger at times, it is not the same as shame. As
Christians, there is no place for shame in our lives. Jesus died so that we have
life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10). He loves us so much that He
willingly died on the cross for our sins. There is no greater love than someone
dying for you (John 15:13). 


A LIFE OF DEVOTION AND JOY

Jesus wants us to live our lives in full devotion to Him and enjoy the blessings
He has given us. He didn’t die for our sins just for us to feel ashamed and
become ineffective for His kingdom. Rather, He died and rose again in order for
us to proclaim His goodness, love, and a new life through His Name. We don’t
need to let Satan cause us to be ineffective for Christ and His Kingdom. By
being intentional, we can go to God in prayer and ask Him to help us in our
struggles. We can ask Him to help us fight against the devil by the power of His
Word. 

Meditate on God’s Word and memorize passages that help you fight against shame,
such as Romans 8:1. Ask God to help bring this Bible passage to mind when you
feel shame. He will help these feelings go away and renew you with a heart of
peace. You can also talk back to the feelings of shame when they arise in your
heart and mind. Talk back to them by telling them that you don’t need to feel
shame because of Jesus. It can also be helpful to remind yourself of the freedom
you have in Christ. 




THE FREEDOM FROM SHAME

As believers, we are not bound to the sinful flesh. Rather, we are free in
Christ (Galatians 5:1). We still have the sinful flesh, but we are longer held
prisoner by it. Through Christ, we have the ability to go against the sinful
flesh. The Holy Spirit indwells us at the moment of salvation, and He never
leaves. Both the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature are at war with each other
throughout our lives. The sinful flesh wants us to do what is wrong, yet the
Holy Spirit wants us to do what is right and good. 

It is because of Jesus that we have the Holy Spirit and now have the ability to
listen to Him instead of the sinful flesh. The Holy Spirit can help assure us
that shame has no place in our Christian walk. He can help remind us of the debt
Jesus paid on our behalf in order for us to have life. We shouldn’t take Jesus’
death lightly, as the Lord went to great lengths to redeem us. He tells us on
the cross that “It is finished” (John 19:30). Since it is finished, we know
salvation now gives us the freedom to not allow shame to weigh us down.

When God looks at us, He does not seem a person worthy of shame. Instead, He
sees His Son, Jesus Christ, when He looks at us. The Father sees the forgiveness
and the spilled blood of Jesus for our sins. We are not sinful creatures before
the Father—we are His forgiven and redeemed children. In the same way, we need
to see ourselves the same way God sees us. Each time you feel tempted to allow
shame to creep into your mind, talk back to it, pray to God for help, and also
take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that the Father sees you as
forgiven, redeemed, and dearly loved. 


OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER

Once we stop allowing shame to fill our hearts and minds, we can live more
productive and obedient lives for God. This doesn’t mean shame will never drift
into our minds, but it does mean that we have the tools to fight against it.
Satan will try to cause you to feel shame, but you don’t have to let him win.
Fight against him with the help of God. God is more powerful than Satan, and He
can help you fight these negative feelings. The more you fight against the
feelings of shame, the more you will be able to experience the freedom Jesus has
already given you. 



Thus, shame has no place in the Christian walk. Shame will only weigh you down
and give you false, negative feelings. Turn to the Lord when you are having
these feelings and ask for His help. God is faithful, and He will help you. He
doesn’t want you to experience any feelings of shame over the past, present, or
future. He has given you forgiveness in His Name, and this forgiveness endures
forever. 

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Photoboyko

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Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in
their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in
Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite
things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and
spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other
adventures.

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