Christian Blogs, Discipleship Encouragement and Correction, Millpond Ink Musing
Millpond Ink Musing, 2015 – Of Shame, Part II
When I was growing up, I was ashamed when I acted in a way contrary to what I knew was right and honorable. Immodesty, lying, swearing were just a few of the behaviors that brought me to shame if I was found out. Of course, if my sin wasn’t found out, I lived in fear of being found out and my conscience gnawed at me. Invariably, those around me could read me, and they’d ask, “Okay, what’s going on?” The next thing, I spilled my guts.
For others, they are shamed when they blame themselves for what others do to them. I will tell you this form of shame is less noticeable to me, but it happens. It occurs when someone feels taken advantage of and is hurt. On the one hand, they blame the person that hurt them, but being humiliated, they lash back; all the while excusing their own sinful behavior in seeking vindication. How could they be so naive? Taken in and ashamed, they want payback. Such is the deceit of our hearts: to accuse others and excuse ourselves.
Lastly, I think most people experience great sorrow, and yes, anger when they are shamed, whether we did the deed that led to our shame or the deed was done to us. In either case, if we do not confess our sins one to another and seek forgiveness, the sorrow we feel is an earthly sorrow, which can only lead to death. (2 Cor. 7:10,11) It not only destroys our relationships on earth but secures our eternal death inasmuch as we can never sincerely pray the prayer that our Lord taught us; thus revealing our hypocrisy and that our hearts are far from God.
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors.
