Within the past two weeks, I have been teaching on the subject of shame, and on how to deal with it and overcome it...
Shame is a poison that can leave its victim feeling humiliated and worthless. It can lead to social isolation, depression, and sometimes even to suicide.
The men in my Bible study can relate to this because incarceration in and of itself is meant to degrade and demean an individual's very existence. After all, having a criminal record brings reproach to one's character. While being locked up brings public shame and humiliation.
I know from personal experience that this is true. I have already spent 45 years as an incarcerated individual who is known more by my prison issued identification number, than by my legal name. And unfortunately, I am also known in society by my demonically given name which I despise, "Son of Sam."
Since shame is a topic the guys seem to be enthusiastic about, I plan on teaching on it for the next several weeks. Especially because there are many stories in the Scriptures of people who were delivered from the curse of shame.
But rather than stretching it out in my journal, I am now going to list the Scripture passages that I will be using in the coming weeks for those who wish to follow along on their own.
These biblical stories deal with shame. But they also show how the pain of shame can be conquered through their faith, and with the help of the Lord.
These are:
- The woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and who was publicly shamed when she was thrown at Jesus' feet while He was at the holy Temple in Jerusalem (John 8:1-11).
- The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at a town's well. She had been ostracized and despised by her community because of all her affairs with men (See short video clip - John 4:1-30).
- The prodigal son who took his inheritance and left home to go into the world where he lost everything, possibly even his virginity. He wasted his money, and even lost his health through "riotous" living. Shamefaced, destitute and broken, he hobbled home into his father's open arms (Luke 15:11-24).
In these stories, shame was conquered. So was guilt, dishonor and disgrace. Such enemies of the soul were replaced by forgiveness, compassion, restoration and hope. And what God has done for them, He will likewise do the same for us. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).
D.B.
The men in my Bible study can relate to this because incarceration in and of itself is meant to degrade and demean an individual's very existence. After all, having a criminal record brings reproach to one's character. While being locked up brings public shame and humiliation.
I know from personal experience that this is true. I have already spent 45 years as an incarcerated individual who is known more by my prison issued identification number, than by my legal name. And unfortunately, I am also known in society by my demonically given name which I despise, "Son of Sam."
Since shame is a topic the guys seem to be enthusiastic about, I plan on teaching on it for the next several weeks. Especially because there are many stories in the Scriptures of people who were delivered from the curse of shame.
But rather than stretching it out in my journal, I am now going to list the Scripture passages that I will be using in the coming weeks for those who wish to follow along on their own.
These biblical stories deal with shame. But they also show how the pain of shame can be conquered through their faith, and with the help of the Lord.
These are:
- The woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and who was publicly shamed when she was thrown at Jesus' feet while He was at the holy Temple in Jerusalem (John 8:1-11).
- The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at a town's well. She had been ostracized and despised by her community because of all her affairs with men (See short video clip - John 4:1-30).
- The prodigal son who took his inheritance and left home to go into the world where he lost everything, possibly even his virginity. He wasted his money, and even lost his health through "riotous" living. Shamefaced, destitute and broken, he hobbled home into his father's open arms (Luke 15:11-24).
In these stories, shame was conquered. So was guilt, dishonor and disgrace. Such enemies of the soul were replaced by forgiveness, compassion, restoration and hope. And what God has done for them, He will likewise do the same for us. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).
D.B.
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