section 1
Shame is very much the antithesis of glory. Our guilt produces shame in our hearts. We talk of "feeling guilty", but guilt is better understood as a very real state of our condition, whether we sense it or not. While shame is more the sense or experience of guilt. It is the opposite of experiencing God’s glory. While God’s blessings are His glory mainly experienced inwardly, so shame is mainly the inward experience of the destructive effect of sin. God’s blessings add to us proverbs 3:2 , while our shame takes away from us jeremiah 3:24 .
...for length of days and years of life and peace {My commandments} will add to you.
"But the shameful thing has consumed the labor of our fathers since our youth, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
notes:
section 2
Sin deceitfully offers pleasurable experiences, but after only a short time hebrews 11:25 it actually fills our inward experience, with shame, that is: destructive proverbs 6:32-33 , tumultuous jude 12-13 , unpleasant, needless proverbs 23:29 , etc. sufferings of the soul habakkuk 2:16 . The outward events and circumstances that we natural people think bring us the best experiences i peter 4:3-4 ii peter 2:18-19 actually end up producing the worst inward experience of life philippians 3:19 romans 1:26-27 .
...choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
notes:
These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory!
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
notes:
For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them."
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
notes:
section 3
Shame is to the soul as an exposed nerve is to the body. At a blush sin might produce an endorphin-like sensation of strange pleasure, but as sin festers james 1:14-15 its attack on the soul becomes a grievous shame romans 6:21 ecclesiastes 5:13 i peter 2:11 . Just like a naked body is susceptible to the unpleasantness of the elements and the reproach of any perceived lack revelation 16:15 , shame is an embarrassing ezekiel 16:37, 52 , frustrating haggai 1:5-6 isaiah 28:20, 22 , and fearful state genesis 3:7-10 when we are ill-equipped without some kind of fortress from the harsh, sinful elements of our world i john 5:18-21 proverbs 25:28 .
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners...
notes:
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
"Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
surely, therefore, I will gather all your lovers with whom you took pleasure, all those you loved, and all those you hated; I will gather them from all around against you and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.
You who judged your sisters, bear your own shame also, because the sins which you committed were more abominable than theirs; they are more righteous than you. Yes, be disgraced also, and bear your own shame, because you justified your sisters.
Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
notes:
The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.
Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the LORD Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself."
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but He Who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him Who is True; and we are in Him Who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the True God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.
notes:
section 4
When we choose anything over God isaiah 1:29 we are choosing to experience life with less or even without God’s gracious love to protect and provide for us jonah 2:8 i thessalonians 3:10 . That’s because what we are really doing is exchanging the glorious life of God He offers us ephesians 4:18 i timothy 6:19 for that which is shameful hosea 4:7 romans 1:23 , because God is our glory, our best inward experience psalm 106:20 ecclesiastes 2:25 i timothy 6:17 , and any replacement of Him is a detraction from a glorious inward experience of life…a detriment…a shame isaiah 44:9-11 .
You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
notes:
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
The more priests there are, the more they sin against Me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols.
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
notes:
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, Who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.
section 5
hebrews 6:7-8 esv
For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Curse (Blessing)
psalm 112:10 niv
The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Frustration (Fruition)
jeremiah 14:3 esv
Her nobles send their servants for water; they come to the cisterns; they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed and confounded and cover their heads.
Failure (Success)
isaiah 8:9-10 esv
Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered; strap on your armor and be shattered. Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
colossians 2:15 esv
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.
Defeat (Victory)
isaiah 26:17-18 niv
As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, LORD. We were with child, we writhed in labor, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth, and the people of the world have not come to life.
Weakness (Power)
titus 3:3 esv
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
Hate (Love)
ecclesiastes 6:1-6 esv
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?
Poverty (Riches)
isaiah 41:29 nkjv
Indeed they are all worthless; Their works are nothing; Their molded images are wind and confusion.
Confusion (Understanding)
isaiah 57:20-21 esv
But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
Turmoil (Peace)
deuteronomy 28:65 niv
Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart.
Despair (Joy)
psalm 14:1 esv
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
romans 3:16 nlt
Destruction and misery always follow them.
Corruption (Godliness)
psalm 16:4 niv
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.
ephesians 4:18-19 csb
They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
Craving (Contentment)
deuteronomy 28:66 niv
You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.
Suspense (Confidence)
jeremiah 48:39 niv
"How shattered she is! How they wail! How Moab turns her back in shame! Moab has become an object of ridicule, an object of horror to all those around her."
Ridicule (Excellent Standing)
ecclesiastes 1:15 esv
What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
Lack (Lavish)
ezra 9:6 nas
and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.
Embarrassment (Boldness)
proverbs 11:2 esv
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Disgrace (Grace)
ephesians 2:12 niv
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Hopeless (Hopeful)
romans 6:21 niv
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
Death (Life)
section 6
The glorious alternative is given when we choose the Lord by faith romans 10:11 , that is to walk in His ways despite our own sensibilities ii corinthians 5:7 proverbs 3:5-6 isaiah 50:10-11 proverbs 28:26 , we are not subject to the everlasting shame daniel 12:2 but rather experience more and more peace, confidence, etc.- every spiritual blessing from Jesus ephesians 1:3 when we walk with Him in obedient faith i john 2:28-29 romans 1:5 psalm 119:5-6 as it is there we experience the glory of Christ in us philippians 1:20-26 ii john 3 .
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the Word of His servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from My hand: You will lie down in torment.
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.
...it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
Scripture quotations taken from one or more of the following versions as noted:
ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
NIV = The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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NASB = NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
NKJV = New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.