How can we avoid being "put to shame" by following God's Word? Opening Verse Psalm 119:6 – “Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all Your commandments.” Understanding Shame in Scripture • Shame is the painful awareness that something about us is exposed and judged as wrong. • Scripture links shame to sin (Genesis 3:7-10) and to ignoring God’s truth (Jeremiah 17:13). • God’s goal is not to leave us in shame but to cover us with righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Key Truths from Psalm 119:6 • “Consider” means to fix the mind—active, intentional engagement with God’s commands. • “All Your commandments” underscores a wholehearted approach, not selective obedience. • Where God’s Word is honored, shame loses its grip because light replaces darkness (Psalm 119:105). Practical Steps to Live Shame-Free 1. Internalize Scripture – Daily reading plans: short passages morning and evening. – Memorize key verses that confront personal temptations (Psalm 119:11). 2. Align Choices with the Word – Before decisions, ask: “What does God already say about this?” – Keep a journal of verses applied to specific life situations. 3. Walk Openly in Community – Confess faults to trusted believers (James 5:16) to break secrecy that breeds shame. – Engage in corporate worship where truth is sung and preached (Hebrews 10:24-25). 4. Rely on Christ’s Righteousness – Remember Romans 10:11: “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” – When failure occurs, repent quickly and rest in 1 John 1:9. Additional Encouragement from God’s Word • Psalm 34:5 – “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” • 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Present yourself to God as one approved… a worker who does not need to be ashamed.” • 1 Peter 2:6 – “Whoever believes in Him will never be put to shame.” • Isaiah 45:17 – God’s salvation ensures we are “never put to shame or disgraced, for ages everlasting.” |
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