Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." -Genesis 3:9-10 (NKJV)
This is the first time that we see the emotion of shame expressed in the Bible. It comes immediately after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. Through sin, their innocence was lost, and they were instantly aware that they were naked. Shame works the same way in our lives. As sinners, we know we're flawed and imperfect. We run and hide from God because deep down we know we're just not right. Just like our forefather Adam, we play the shame game with God.
Shame is healthy to a certain degree because it shows us that we are sinners, but its benefit ends there. God does not want us to stay ashamed before Him, and He proves this in His response to Adam and Eve's shame:
Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21 NKJV)
God graciously covered Adam and Eve's nakedness, which was the cause of their shame. Did you know that He has done the same for you and me? The Bible teaches that all of our sins, our spiritual nakedness, if you will, have been covered up by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:5; 19:8). If you're a Christian, you have no grounds for feeling ashamed before God because He sees you perfect and complete "in Christ."
. . . to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. . . . to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight . . . . (Colossians 1:20-22 NKJV)
Shame is not to be trusted because it tells us God doesn't want us-when in reality, He does! In fact, He has graciously gone out of His way to remove our shame by giving us His Son. Be secure in the knowledge that you are covered in Jesus' righteousness.
He who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. (1 Peter 2:6 NKJV)
Discuss, Dig, Decide
Discuss with your group the relationship that you see between shame and sin. How have these two things hindered your growth as a Christian?
Dig into Genesis 3:9–10 and 1 Peter 2:6. What was the true source of Adam’s shame? How did he respond? How has your faith helped you deal with shame in your own life?
Decide with your group to lift the spirit of someone who is downtrodden with shame. Offer them a tangible expression of God’s love, and encourage them in Christ! Let God use you to remind this person of how precious they are in God’s sight.
