Shame is Not Your Inheritance

by Joanne Ellison

08.31.20

Sometimes I think my mind stays in overdrive. My brain simply will not cut off. Today I have been thinking about a scripture I read in my devotional time. The word shame jumped out on me.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Shame– where did it come from? What are the effects of shame? What do we do about the things we are ashamed of? And what does it mean that Jesus scorned shame?

The author of Hebrews, reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus who for the joy set before him endured the cross. And then that word. SHAME. He saw the joy that would come once he endured the cross. He would be victor over shame and then triumphantly take His seat at the right hand of God His Father on the throne.

Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)

He took our pain and bore our suffering. Some of you reading this are suffering because of shame. Read this with me again more slowly this time.

Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)

The definition of shame according to Merriam Webster is a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcomings or impropriety. Shame is real and we all have things that we regret or have made us feel guilty. Perhaps you have befriended shame. I can hear you now saying: ” No I haven’t. I did not invite shame to stay.” No you most likely did not. But shame decided to take up residence in your heart. It was not a conscious decision you made. Who would ever say: “Shame, come on in and stay awhile?” Friends, if this is resonating with you it’s time to kick shame out. Shame is not your inheritance. Shame destroys self worth, makes us feel unworthy, insignificant and small. Shame follows us and is like a shadow over our lives. You may no longer recognize shame because he may have moved into the recesses of your heart, but he does not go away unless he is challenged. And the first step is recognize that you have been dragging shame behind you for too many years. The second step is take shame to the cross. You don’t have to drag shame there; you simply have to grab hold of the scripture above– that Jesus took your pain and even better he scorned shame! Some translations substitute the word scorn for despised. I think that paints a clearer picture.

…..who for the joy set before him endured the cross despising the shame.

Death on the cross was reserved for criminals. It was a shameful way to die. Shame followed Jesus to Golgotha. Shame nailed Him to the cross. Shame mocked him and took His dignity. But for the joy…. Jesus saw that the shame he bore would enable believers in His name to no longer suffer shame.

If you are dragging shame around behind you, cut the cord. Declare the truth of scripture that Jesus defeated shame on the cross. Confess your sins and break your agreement with shame nailing it to the cross because shame is not your inheritance.