Forty Days Full - An Invitation To Real Life

Shame is the conclusion our heart makes in response to sinful activity. It is also the lingering, nagging effect of our disobedience to God. Guilt is different. It is the knowledge of wrongdoing. Guilt says, you did a bad thing. Shame says, you're a bad person. Shame is what happens when the voice of our enemy finds a landing place. It's what the devil is always cooking in his kitchen. He is always seeking a place to take up residence and grow roots into our lives. Shame is the bread that the children of darkness eat. It is what you will eat if you sit at his table. I've heard pastors from the pulpit use the words "shame on you" to get people to do what they should do. It never feels right when a believer, especially a pastor, uses a tool that the Devil gave them. Unfortunately, many believers think that shame came from God. As if it is His tool to reprimand and punish evil behavior. Shame does not exist in heaven. It will never be an ingredient in any meal served at my Father's table. God will never give you something He doesn't have. Because I do not belong to darkness, I don't have to listen to what it says. I don't have to play by its rules. I am not obligated in any way to the legions of hell. I am part of a better kingdom. If I ever feel shame, I know something is wrong. I have either sinned or I have listened to a lie. It means I've sat down at the wrong table. I have come into agreement with darkness. When we eat the bread of shame, we forget who we really are. Even after someone is saved if they don't reject shame they remain in a vicious cycle of control. You can tell them who they are in Christ, but it will usually have limited effect because at the core of their belief system they believe they are a bad person. They'll never rise to greatness and any work they do for the kingdom of heaven will be done as duty and a penance for their worthlessness. I've decided to remove the words 'shame on