Leave Your Shame at the Door

Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there… making accusations against Joshua. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire." (Zechariah 3:1-2 NLT)

Romans 9:33 tells us, "The one who believes in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame." If we receive this precious promise and confess its truth in our lives, we can escape this world with its corruption and corrosive lies. Shame corrupts. It destroys our ability to love, to have long-lasting healthy relationships. It is the root of self-hatred and feelings of unworthiness. Whatever you did to sully your character may be as brief as a moment. Yes, moral failures can be fleeting interludes, but the shame that remains can be a stubborn stain.

Feelings of guilt can be healthy. When we fail the grace of God, we grieve and want to make things right. We understand that we did something terrible, and amends are in order. But shame can surpass an emotional response to become something people identify with and embody. Guilt may say, "I did something bad,” while shame announces, "I am bad." People who carry shame cannot fully succeed in this life because, at their core, they believe they are worthless.

The devil deals in shame. It's his ace in the hole. He knows it can destroy and twist every thought you have. He will accuse and blame you for whatever you are willing to accept. But the Bible tells us that God rebukes him and rejects his accusations on your behalf. Jesus paid for you with His precious blood. You are worth more than you know, dear reader.

Are you ashamed, and you don't even know why? Do you know that in Christ, the Lord no longer remembers your sin? As the old hymn says, "Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow." Jesus paid the price for you to live free of condemnation and feelings of unworthiness. Begin to align with the word and confess what it says about you. Leave shame at the door and walk through the door of hope that the Lord sets before you.