Growing up in southwestIowaI spent my fair share of time on and around farms with animals on them. One thing about farm animals is that anywhere they are, their manure is always present. I spent time shoveling manure in 95 degree heat, walked through it, got it on my clothes and shoes and went home with a serious stench following me everywhere I went. However, without fail every time I returned home my mother was adamant about me removing any clothing that carried that stench. Mom had absolutely no time for it anywhere in or around her house. Many times in our life shame is a lot like manure. It’s the embarrassing after effect of an event or mistake or situation in our life. Our life smells of it and we’re so sure that everyone that sees us also sees the shame we carry.

            The answer to being free from shame is very similar to the way my mom kept the smell of manure out of her house. When we come into God’s kingdom He stands at the door and says that shame is not ours to carry and we must lay it down.

Romans 8:1– Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

            Condemnation and shame are both the guilt and terrible feeling that accompany sin in our life. Jesus died on the cross to forgive once and for all the sin in our life. In dying Jesus also carried our shame and it was nailed to the cross with Him. Shame and guilt can hinder and downright cripple our walk with God and people if it goes without being dealt with. It will terrorize everything we do and be there to constantly remind us of how perfect we are not.

            Jesus is very aware of just how harmful shame in our life is and He has a desire to see His children free from any form of it. So when you come to God’s house it’s time to drop the shame and the guilt at His feet before entering. Shame’s not yours to carry, so why insist on holding onto it.

1 John 1:9– IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

            Like I mentioned earlier, Jesus’ work in our life is two-fold. He not only wants to forgive us, but also cleanse us from the junky, worthless feeling that sin leaves in our life. He won’t force this on us, so it must be our choice to surrender our shame to the one who came to conquer it.

            Freedom from shame will take the self-imposed limits off of our life so we can become all that God has called us to be. Freedom from pornography is complete when we’re also free from the shame it brought into our lives. Jesus is the only one that can carry, deal with and heal the areas of shame in your life, but you must be ready to give it up.