No Shame 

“For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret.”
Ephesians 5:12

Christians have learned too well how to live with themselves. We have lost our sense of shame. True, the whole world has lost it—but being in the majority comes as no comfort to the believer, who is called to a higher standard.

Like fear, shame is a response designed to limit us, to put us on our guard. Fear guards us from danger, while shame protects us from our base actions. You’ve seen the logo on the t-shirts declaring the wearer has, “No Fear.” A better epithet for our generation of believers would be, “No Shame.”

We are not ashamed to be in the world and of it. We are not ashamed to furnish our Christianity in the trappings of the world, so our religion does not make us too homesick. We are not ashamed to replace the doctrine of God with an ethic that caters to the feelings of man, not ashamed to say one thing and do another if that’s what it takes to live a happy life.

Sin is no longer appalling, and Christians are no longer reluctant to talk about it. But beware: the light of Christ will shine on the secret places, making sin appalling once more. Disobedience will be punished in children as much as in strangers (and more so).

How do we get our sense of shame back?

First, we have to realize that God hates our sins, too. He abhors the sin in your life, not just Sin in the abstract. He does not understand that you have to sin occasionally, nor is He willing to turn a blind eye on occasion. He is not fooled by a repentance that brings no results.

Second, we have to share our shame. We are called to be bold in the rebuke of sin, not tolerant and sensitive. No prophet was ever remembered for the tender consideration he showed as he gradually brought sinners to the realization that their cherished behavior was less than pleasing to God. We often say, “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” It might be better to turn that around. Love the sinner, but hate and abhor the sin.

Third, we need to shut our mouths. Secret sin abounds because, well, it isn’t secret at all. We are laughing and joking about things we should be ashamed to even speak of. If you don’t have that shame yet, just shut up. God will change your heart when you close your mouth.

The real reason we have no shame is that our faith is weak. The danger of God’s displeasure barely seems real. To the extent that He means to do good for us, we trust Him, but when He speaks of consequences and punishment, it is easy to forget He is there. But He is. He saved us from damnation, but for a reason: to glorify Him through good works. We should be ashamed to do anything less.