For some, this word is equal to a bad word.  They claim it should never be a part of a believer’s experience.  They contend that Jesus dealt with shame; thus, shame is now considered an enemy to anyone in Christ.

The dictionary defines shame as a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

Biblically and practically speaking, shame is a product of the conscience.  A healthy conscience is important for all of us.

1Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

If shame is an enemy to a believer, why would the great apostle of grace write what he did to the Corinthian church?  Why would he use language such as, I speak this to your shame?

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

When a person lives according to the world instead of being the heavenly citizen they are meant to be in Christ, it creates a conflict between their soul and spirit.  It creates a contradiction.

In a state of contradiction, there will have been choices made to which anyone with a conscience that is not seared will feel ashamed.  There can be thoughts dwelled upon that are in contradiction to whom a person is meant to be in Christ that stirs shame, especially if they are brought out into the light.

Shame becomes an enemy when it can send someone into hiding in the darkness they have stumbled into.  But the power for shame to do such things was swallowed up in Christ if one can believe the truth concerning His bearing shame for us at the cross so we can be set free from the power of shame to keep us from walking in the light.  The active work of grace and forgiveness in our lives delivers us from the shame we experience when we allow contradiction to have a place.

The purpose of shame is intended to drive us to Jesus.  A healthy conscience will healthily experience shame when contradiction occurs.  The early church used shame to help those taken captive in error.

2Thessalonians 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Rebellious behavior, or a stumble into contradiction to the new creation Jesus made, is meant to experience shame so that it might motivate the person to go boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy to help in their time of need.  But if we allow well-meaning but misled instructors to tell us shame is our enemy at all times, and that even in our bad behavior, we should seek to silence its voice at work in us, we will remain in the grip of error and contradiction that brought the shame to begin with and run the risk of hardening our hearts by deadening our consciences.

I am not in a snare of shame when I continually look to Jesus, who has forgiven my sin past, present, and future.  But when I am not looking to Him and walking in faith with Him, I am subject to shame, and in such a case, shame can be a friend to me if I let it lead me to Him as it should.  If shame has visited you, I encourage you to allow it to lead you to Jesus, who alone can remove it and replace it with His own peace.

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”