Shame Off You | Jennifer Rothschild

Our body language tells our secrets even when we think we’ve got them all under wraps! For example, body language experts say that when women feel shame, they may become small in posture by slouching or turning away. They may avert their eyes, kind of like a baby covering her own eyes and imagining she’s hiding. The experts describe the body language of shame as an attempt to be invisible or an effort to hide.

Wishing she was invisible? Longing to hide? That has to be exactly how the woman who had been caught in adultery felt when she stood before Jesus.Jesus had been teaching in the temple when some scribes and Pharisees dragged in a woman who was caught in the act of adultery and set her in the
center of the court.

If she was caught in the “very act,” it doesn’t take much imagination to conclude that the poor woman probably wasn’t fully dressed and there she stood — exposed, alone, and isolated.

That’s what shame does. It sets us in the center of our thoughts and makes us feel like we are the only one.

Shame sets you in the center of your thoughts. [Click to Tweet]

Shame sets you in the center of your thoughts: I’m the worst. I’m the only one who struggles with this stuff.

Shame scolds: I am so stupid. When will I ever learn?

Shame separates. It isolates you from truth and makes you feel worthless. No wonder a woman who feels shame wants to hide.

Guilt is a response to what we do. Shame is a response to who we are. [Click to Tweet]

But, here’s the deal… shame is often confused with guilt even though they aren’t the same things. Guilt is a response to what we do. Shame is a response to who we are.

Here’s a way to tell the difference between guilt and shame: guilt is a result of conviction which will lead to coming clean and receiving forgiveness. Shame brings condemnation that leads to further isolation and self-contempt.

Often we feel guilt because we’ve sinned. We’ve been “caught in the very act of” well, fill in the blank! (lying, stealing, gossiping, etc.) We feel convicted that we did something wrong and need to come clean and receive forgiveness.

But, sometimes we feel shame when we’re caught in the very act of being human! (Disappointing others, failing a test, forgetting an appointment, etc.) We feel condemnation and want to cover up and hide.

The woman who stood before Jesus in John 8 surely felt guilt. She had sinned. But, she also probably felt a depth of shame that was there long before she sinned that day.

When Jesus saw the woman standing before covered with nothing but guilt and shame, He didn’t condemn her. He covered her with His grace.

“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.” (John 8:6)

We don’t know what He wrote in the sand, but I think no matter what words He chose, every letter He inscribed was writing grace on her heart.

Where shame was exposing that woman, grace was covering her.

Where shame was condemning that woman, grace was forgiving her.

Where shame was isolating that woman, grace was accepting her.

The grace that forgives sin and accepts the sinner is the same grace that calls us to a better life. [Click to Tweet]

The grace that forgives sin and accepts the sinner is the same grace that calls us to a better life. That’s why Jesus told the woman, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)

If you are a woman caught in sin, let the guilt you may feel draw you to the One who can make you clean. Jesus will forgive and help you “go and sin no more.” If you are a woman caught in the act of being human — let the shame you may feel draw you to the One who can give you clarity. If Jesus doesn’t condemn you, don’t condemn yourself. Don’t hide, or run, or try to cover up. You are safe before Him. Stand before God and let Him write grace on your heart.

And, my final words to you, my dear sister? Chin up, stand tall… SHAME OFF YOU!!

What do you think? Leave a comment below.