SHAME
Proverbs 3:35 “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”
Proverbs 13:18 “Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
Ephesians 5:11-13 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”
NOUN
1. A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Shame is particularly excited by the disclosure of actions which, in the view of men, are mean and degrading. Hence it it is often or always manifested by a downcast look or by blushes, called confusion of face.Hide, for shame,Romans, your grandsires’ images,That blush at their degenerate progeny. Dryden.
Shame prevails when reason is defeated. Rambler.
2. The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach, and degrades a person in the estimation of others. Thus an idol is called a shame.Guides, who are the shame of religion. South.3. Reproach; ignominy; derision; contempt.Ye have born the shame of the heathen. Ezekiel 36:6.4. The parts which modesty requires to be covered.5. Dishonor; disgrace.VERB TRANSITIVE1. To make ashamed; to excite a consciousness of guilt or of doing something derogatory to reputation; to cause to blush.Who shames a scribbler, breaks a cobweb through. Pope.I write not these things to shame you. 1 Corinthians 4:14.2. To disgrace.And with foul cowardice his carcass shame. Spenser.3. To mock at.Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor. Psalms 14:6.VERB INTRANSITIVE.1. To be ashamed.To its trunk authors give such a magnitude, as I shame to repeat. Raleigh.
CONCLUSION: The goal of this post isn’t to condemn or revile others; but to warn against the modern absurdity of avoiding both shame, and [the necessary admonitions and reproofs that this modern world is quick to call…] shaming, at all costs. The world may see wisdom in this, but God makes clear that there absolutely is none. Yet, the Bible also makes clear that an attitude of humility, prayerfulness, and vigilant watching is also in order (especially as it relates to dealing with individuals):
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.”
To God be the glory.
Spiritual Wrestlings 