Genesis of Shame

The Genesis of Shame 

They had eaten from the forbidden tree, tempted by the devil to defy the instruction of their Lord and creator. Realizing their mistake, they hid because they were ashamed. The devil’s deception was a factor. 

“And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”

Genesis 3:8 NKJV

But they confessed their actions to God and shame was taken away, even though they had to ‘suffer’ the consequences of their actions. 

“Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.””

Genesis 3:12 NKJV

She had an issue of blood for 12 years and was an outcast from the community and from the temple and was ashamed.  But when Jesus passed by she wanted to just touch the piece of His garment in faith. She did and her shame met its end. 

“Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.”

Luke 8:47 NKJV

She confessed her shame to Jesus, in the presence of the crowd and she was made whole and felt no shame anymore. 

After five failed marriages and the shame that comes along with it, and the stigma of being called an immoral woman who stays with the sixth man whom she is not married to, she resorted to drawing water in the middle of the day in the midst of the blazing sun, to avoid dealing with gossip and whispers of those who know her marriage issues and relationship status. 

“for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.””

John 4:18 NKJV

But on this fateful day she met the Messiah, the well of living water, at the Jacob’s well. She met with Jesus and He told her about her shame, to release her from it. 

He was a powerful king, with access to lots of unmarried available ladies, but he slept with a married woman and she became pregnant. He was ashamed of his action and in an attempt to cover up for what he did, he got the woman’s husband killed in battle. Covering up our shame is sometimes worst than revealing it to God and repent. 

“And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

Then the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also.”

II Samuel 11:5, 17 NKJV

She was caught in an act of adultery, brought to the public square so everyone could know her shame. She deserved to be stoned to death by law. But Jesus, who takes away all our shame, who restore us into the father, saved the day and saved her life. 

“they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.””

John 8:4, 11 NKJV

She was old and hadn’t had children since she got married. In her shame she thought it is best for her husband to have a baby by her helper. Barrenness is shameful and she had to do what she needed to do to have a baby for her husband. even if it means disregarding the promise of her own child. Shame can make you do bad things. 

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.

Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.”

Genesis 16:1, 3 NKJV

God didn’t create shame, devil did. The more the shame he brings into our life, the less likely we are to boldly declare God’s kingship in public and win souls. That’s how the devil wins. Don’t allow the devil to put a garment of shame upon you, ever. 

What is you shame today? What is it you are shamed of? Could it be unemployment and not being able to provide for your family? Could it be a debilitating chronic sickness that’s making it difficult for you to tell people about God who heals every disease and sickness? Could it be being lied about and your reputation being dragged through the mud unfairly? Could it the childlessness, adultery, fornications? Could it be the secrets you are keeping from others? 

Whatever shame you carry today, whatever thing you are ashamed of that you are hiding from people today, God is waiting for you to confess it to Him. He loves you so much He can’t condemn you.  Call upon Him and ask Him to take your shame away right now, in Jesus’ name. 

Shame doesn’t come from God, but He is available to take if all away from you. 

Pray with me: 

Father, I am not perfect and am ashamed of this disease, of this inability to provide for my family, of the wrong I have done, of continual failure. Please change my situation today and take away my shame. You did it before to others and I believe wholeheartedly that you can do it to me. Thank you for answering this prayer already, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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