For some people, there is no shame in their game. This means that a person has no shame or conscience regarding the life they live. They are not fazed by improper behaviors or actions. Too often they become brazen with loose lips and carefree about their comments. The actions and comments are done without considering their words and actions that might hurt or harm someone. It is done without decency, respect and honor. Do you know anyone who falls into that category?
Most of us, I would think, have done somethings over the years that we are ashamed of or embarrassed about. Some people, however, are not ashamed of anything they do, say or where they go. They have broken every religious law and secular law ever written. It does not seem to matter whether a person is a friend, relative or foe, for there are no boundaries or loyalties. Negative and painful comments appear to be the order of the day. It is a shame that the United States has fallen prey to such rhetoric, foolish, improper, unethical, immoral, and outlandish incivility.
It was a shame and disgrace to hear a person who served in the highest position of the land refer to illegal migrants as “animals” and “not human”. Who does that? As he made those comments, there appeared to be support from others for these harsh and disheartening words. Personal aggrandizement is his motive or goal in whatever he does or say.
Later in a speech in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he described the 2024 election as the nation’s “final battle.” Now that is a little frightening. He further said, if he does not win, there will be a blood bath.
We should be teaching our children that when they speak, it is with honor for another person. The Bible commands Christians to “honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:17) and “to outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). We have been taught that all human beings are made in God’s image and are worthy of honor. Simply stated, if we can’t say something good about people, keep it to ourselves.
If we have an ounce of conscience, many of us would be able to reflect on the shame and regret the sins we committed in the past. We may have brought shame to ourselves and to others, but with God’s help we were transformed into what God’s plans were for us.
There are times I get frustrated and disgusted with Adam and Eve. They made a mess out of the perfect creation God made. Everything around them was perfect, yet they chose to sin against God. Let’s assume that Adam and Eve lived out the rest of their lives on earth with regrets for their sinful act. Whenever the thought of paradise would come to their minds, they must have felt a sense of shame.
We may suspect that the apostle Peter lived in shame and regret after denying Jesus. After the Passover meal, Peter tells Jesus that he would lay down his life for his Lord. Later that night, out of fear of losing his life, Peter denied even knowing Jesus (John 18: 15-27). After Peter’s denial of Christ, “he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).
What we must not do is allow shame and embarrassment to paralyze us. While Peter must have lived with shame and regret over his denial of Christ, he was forgiven, restored and grew in his faith.
Shame and regret should be behind us because of our maturing in our faith. We should be able to say, “we used to walk in foolishness and rebellion, but now we walk in newness of life” (Titus 3:3-7).
In closing, please know that God can and will forgive us for those sins we feel shame and regret about. We can move on with peace and joy in our lives even after shame. Our goal should be to build up one another, not tear down.
As the apostle Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20)
May we humble ourselves and grow in grace asking for forgiveness so that we will not bring shame to ourselves or to others.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
