We’ve all experienced shame at some point, and how we deal with it determines if we can move forward or get stopped in our tracks. It’s like a rope tying us to our past or a weight dragging us down. What may start off as embarrassment can turn to guilt. If guilt isn’t dealt with promptly, it can turn into shame; but we can defeat shame through praise.  

Shame is a weapon the devil uses to try to sabotage our future, but our praise is a more powerful weapon. When the enemy tells us we’re a mistake and we ought to be ashamed of ourselves, grace tells us not to fear, since we’ve been pardoned. We have deliverance because Jesus became shame for us when he went on the cross. Just the fact that he took our shame away forever is praiseworthy.

Shame is not God’s will for us. Jesus hated it so much that he died to take it away. With that in mind, there’s no reason to allow it into our lives. When we believe and humbly agree with God’s word, we avoid the pride that leads to shame.

Shame tells us there is no hope and there’s nothing for which to be joyful, but we defeat it when we open our mouths to rejoice and give thanks. When things look bad, praising God in the midst of our circumstances is a deliberate act of submitting to him and resisting the devil. God wants us to constantly offer up joyful praise and thanksgiving for what Jesus did.  The devil can’t stand up to a joyful Christian!

Prayer:

Lord, shame is a demonic emotion that has already been defeated through your Son. His finished works freed us from bondage to shame. When we believe this, we can’t help but gratefully praise and thank you while we carry out your will for us. Thank you for giving us victory in this area. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Luke 7:36-50

Isaiah 54:4

Isaiah 50:6, 7

Hebrews 12:2

Romans 10:11

Proverbs 11:2

Psalm 109:29, 30

James 4:7

Habakkuk 3:17, 18

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18