There are many ways that God has made Himself known to us. He has revealed Himself in creation, in His Word, and even within the conscience of every human being.

Another way that it is clear that God is in our midst is through the presence of shame among mankind. This may seem a little surprising, until you give it some thought.

Shame is an experience shared by people in all cultures. Even by those that are not particularly religious. Why is this? It’s because all mankind is made in God’s image, and this fact cannot be escaped.

When we turn to the Bible we find that shame is an important theme.

The Bible tells us that when the first man and woman were created they were naked and unashamed. They had nothing to hide. But when they failed to trust God and disobeyed Him, their shame led them to do what they could to cover themselves.

Throughout the rest of the Bible the theme of shame continues.

Jeremiah puts it well when he relates that as a thief is shamed when he is discovered, so are the land’s kings, princes, priests, and prophets when they turn to idols (Jer.2:26ff.). He states further that the wise of this world will be put to shame for rejecting the word of the Lord (Jer.8:8,9).

The Bible also shows us that the desire of the righteous is that they would not bring shame to others or themselves by their conduct. “May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts” (Ps.69:6). “May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed” (Ps.119:80).

In His mercy God has provided a remedy for the shame that afflicts humanity, through His Son Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah tells how Jesus bore our shame that we would be delivered from it (Is.53:6). This is the good news of the gospel, and because of it the Apostle Paul exclaims that he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom.1:16).

It is Jesus Christ who sets us free from the crippling shame that keeps us from living the kind of life we know God wants us to live. All we need to do is believe Him, and the freedom to move ahead without shame is ours.

As we experience this freedom, we must take care not to live in a way that would later cause us to shrink away from Jesus in shame (1 Jn.2:26). Also, we must never be ashamed of Him before others. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father. . .” (Mk.8:38).

Is there something you are ashamed of that keeps you oppressed? Turn to Jesus Christ and He will set you free, and embolden you to do what you know is right.