April 10, what is well-placed shame?

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness, but what fruit were

you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?

For the end of those things is death, Romans 6, 20, and 21.

When a Christian's eyes are open to the God dishonoring evil of his former behavior,

the Christian rightly feels ashamed.

Paul says to the Roman Church, when you were slaves of sin, what fruit were you getting

at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?

There is a proper place for looking back and feeling the twinge of pain that we once

lived in a way that was so belittling to God.

To be sure, we are not to be paralyzed by dwelling on this, but a sensitive Christian

heart cannot think back on the follies of youth and not feel echoes of shame, even if we

have settled it all with the Lord.

Well-placed shame can be very healthy and redemptive.

Paul said to the Thessalonians, if anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take

note of that person and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

2 Thessalonians 3, 14.

This means that shame is a proper and redemptive step in conversion.

And even in the believer's repentance from a season of spiritual coldness and sin, shame

is not something to be avoided at all costs.

There is a place for it in God's good dealings with His people.

We can conclude that the biblical criterion for misplaced shame and for well-placed shame

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