Shame On You

"I said shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame,

Shame on you if you can't dance too."

Did you get the idea that God wanted to talk about shame?

God said, "My Church is hiding in their shame and I want to set them free today!" He said, "Get in the groove, because you can't stop the move."

When I hear God say, “shame, shame, shame,” I can see that shame is an issue that affects everyone in some way. Those who claim to be untouched by shame are merely hiding behind a facade, covering themselves with fig leaves.

I shared three distinct aspects of how shame manifests:

1. Shame from sin – missing the mark

2. Shame as a warning device – indicating something is wrong and needs fixing

3. Shame as bondage – resulting from confusion and delay

Understanding shame in its Hebrew context reveals a deeper meaning: confusion, dishonor, reproach, disgrace, disappointment, and dryness. When we feel shame, we often don’t know what to do or how to address it. So our "go to" is to try and cover it up.

However, God’s solution is different. He calls us out, much like He did with Adam, asking, “Where are you?” God sees through our attempts to cover shame and desires to clothe us with His righteousness.

Genesis 3:7-13, illustrates how shame comes from missing the mark or disobeying God’s Word.

2 Samuel 13:11-13, illustrates Tamar’s shame easily perceived after Amnon’s violation. Sexual sins and abuses are significant sources of shame today, leading to years of bondage. Shame can also arise from carelessness, mistakes, financial issues, health problems, and family troubles. These things act as a warning sign, signaling that something is wrong. Proverbs 13:18 and 29:15 highlight how ignoring instruction and discipline leads to shame and disgrace.

1 Kings 18:21, tells us about how Elijah challenges the people to choose between God and Baal, highlighting the confusion and delay caused by indecision. Shame binds us in confusion, making us hesitant and stuck between two choices. We can overcome this bondage when we decide to serve and obey God, aligning with His ways and seeking His solutions.

In Romans 1:15-17, Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel, unashamed because it is the power of God for salvation. When we obey the gospel, we are not confused, delayed, dishonored, or disgraced.

It is our choice to embrace the gospel! When we do it frees us from shame. It transforms our lives and aligns us with God’s righteousness and truth. If we are not free from shame, it is because we choose to remain in bondage.

Things to discuss: I'd like to ask .....

1. How did you know that shame was hiding in you? Were there warning signs?

2. How did you confront it?

Although, I'm most interested in:

1. What did you learn from your experience with God on Sunday?

2. How will you know you are "in the groove" or "not ashamed of the Gospel?"

Thank you so much for your time!!!!! I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!!

~The Rev.