Day Eighteen | Lent Devotional
Reading: Luke 17, Psalm 37:19
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time
Difficult times come for all of us. This is an inevitable part of living in fallen bodies in a fallen world that is still mainly under the influence of a fallen angel (1 John 5:19 NIV). Jesus spoke of Satan often and with clarity. Jesus didn’t hold back when teaching about him. He called Satan a liar, thief, murderer, adversary, and slanderer.
Scripture reveals that the enemy works continually through the demons under his command to oppose the work of God and assault the people of God. Additionally, the scripture has much to say about how the enemy works through this lost human culture to hinder the church through social pressure and worldly compromise. On top of this, we who love Jesus remain in fallen bodies and struggle against mindsets that conspire with our flesh to override the best intentions of our born-again spirits.
This unholy trio; the devil, the world, and the flesh - is the battlefield upon which we are called to wage spiritual warfare. And though ultimately the victory is ours, there will be times in this life when the forces of evil appear to be overwhelming, unrelenting, and prevailing. Admitting this is not a “negative confession.” It is the occasional reality for every child of God. The Apostle Paul called this the “evil day” (Eph. 6:13). In Psalm 37:19, we are told that to win on an evil day, we must be delivered from the power of shame.
When in a season of assault, one of the enemy’s favorite strategies is to project a spirit of shame onto the children of God. Shame is a paralyzing force that does far more than bring our shortcomings to light. Shame is not the same as healthy feelings of guilt when we fail to do the right thing. Guilt points out that we did something wrong. Shame shouts that you are wrong. Healthy guilt is a private internal conviction that quietly leads us to repentance and grace. Shame is an external public voice of accusation designed to crush us into submission.
A shaming spirit seeks to intimidate, silence, and invalidate another human being. When Adam and Eve fell in the garden, Satan was present immediately to throw enough shame to compel them to put on the first pair of underwear and then go into hiding. Shame isolates us. It drives us from God’s grace and terrorizes us with fear of exposure and judgment. There is no telling how many of God’s people have been effectively shut down and made spiritually impotent through the power of the fear of shame.
Thankfully, we have an Advocate. Jesus went to the cross for us. As He hung naked, accused, tormented, and publicly ridiculed, He bore the shame we deserved for our sins. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to “keep our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.” Our only defense against the accusing voice of shame is to run into our heavenly Father's loving, merciful arms. He alone can cleanse us from our sins, correct us with perfect wisdom, and teach us how to fight more effectively another day. After all, since Jesus bore your shame. It would be a shame for you to carry it still, too.
As you sit before the Lord today, ask the Holy Spirit to highlight the areas where the spirit of shame has kept you isolated and alone. How has shame inhibited you? What would you be doing today if you felt no shame over your past failures or personal losses? With which fears has shame kept you bound? How has the enemy used shame to intimidate you and render you powerless?
In your journal, write what comes up in your spirit as you re-read these questions.
In prayer, receive the Lord’s cleansing for sin and renounce out loud the spirit of shame that comes from the enemy.
Finally, write a “letter of divorce” to the biggest source of shame in your life. Tell it that it no longer has the power to control you. Then read it out loud, consider it done, and move on with your life.
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