Overcoming Shame with God’s Word

Shame is one of the most difficult emotions that can affect you. It is hard to spot on your own, yet it can pervade through almost every area of your life. Overcoming shame is difficult to do. Yet by meditating on Bible verses about shame, you can walk toward the light of healing that God provides.

Bible verses on shame can help you choose hope and faith instead of the heaviness shame brings. God sees your shame and wants you to be free from it. He will walk through the valleys with you to help you overcome them. When you read and study God’s Word, you can retrain your brain to choose hope in God instead of staying stuck in shame.

What Does the Bible Say About Overcoming Shame?

If you are a Christian, God does not hold you in shame, no matter what you believe about yourself. Because Jesus died on the cross for every bad thing you ever said or did, those shameful deeds are no longer held against you. Your acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf frees you from the shame of sin.

Yet, many of us Christians still struggle with feelings of shame even after we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The devil wants to hold us down with our past mistakes, and shame is one of his favorite weapons. We need to fully receive God’s grace and ask for his help to overcome shame.

By replacing shame-filled thoughts with the hope-filled truths in God’s Word, you can start the journey of freedom from shame. These verses are powerful for helping you in that freedom journey. When you are tempted to wallow in shame, meditate on one of these verses to be lifted up and set back on the road to freedom that God promises to you.

Trust in the Lord

I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. – Psalm 25:2

You may have roots of shame from the unkind, unfair, or untruthful things people said about you. Their voices may be stuck in your head, leading you to believe you are not good enough. Yet when you trust in the Lord for your true identity, he will silence those voices from the past and give you triumph in his power.

Hope in the Lord

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. – Psalm 25:3

When you decide to put your hope in the Lord, trusting Him for the future, he will begin to erase your shame day by day. Hope is a powerful shame-killer because you will believe that your past doesn’t need to define you. The hope of a new day in Christ can set you free from shame.

Choose Joy

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. – Psalm 34:5

Joy is another powerful way to combat shame. We can have joy in the Lord, no matter our circumstances because He is always good. Focus your thoughts on God’s goodness every day to recover from shame. His radiant joy will help you overcome hidden shame.

Take Refuge in the Lord

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. – Psalm 71:1

Do you need a hiding place to escape from shame? God is willing to be your hiding place or refuge. Draw close to him when shameful thoughts attack you, and he will give you comfort.

Put Off Sinful Behavior

Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. – Psalm 119:39

In your journey of recovery, you can squash shame faster if you aren’t continuing along sinful paths. Ask God for help each time you are tempted to revisit those time-worn paths toward shame. Meditate on God’s Word to learn the pathways toward abundant life and follow those paths instead.

Fear Not

Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. – Isaiah 54:4

God doesn’t remember your past shame. He chooses to let it go, and he wants you to do the same. Holding onto shame creates fear of punishment. But you can release your fears to God and trust Him to take care of you because He loves you and forgives you.

You Are Honored

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. – Isaiah 61:7

Someday you’ll look back and see how God honored you rather than covering you in shame, and that will be a day of rejoicing. God wants a different future for you. A future of great honor, prosperity, and joy. He wants you to step into the abundant life Christ provides. Receive the honor God wants to bestow on you and leave shame in the past.

Comfort in Belief

Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. –Romans 10:11

The more you believe the promises of God, the less your shame will have a hold on you. The more often you study God’s Word, the more truth you’ll store in your heart to overcome the lies of shame. Renew your faith in God each day through Bible study and prayer. He will give you comfort and hope as you rely on him.

Trust in Jesus

For in Scripture, it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 2:6

Jesus is the focus of our faith, the one we can trust to help us overcome our shame once and for all. When you look to Jesus as your example, you will learn to avoid choices that lead toward shame. You’ll desire to please him with your thoughts, words, and actions. He has a new life for you as you put your trust in him.

Fellowship with God

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. – 1 John 2:28

God is saddened when your shame creates a barrier between you and him. He wants to draw you close, as a loving father tenderly embraces his child. The more you trust him as your Father, Savior, and Guide, you will have greater courage to overcome your shame.

Christian Counseling for Individuals

Shame is a complex problem with many contributing factors. You may have taken in shame from the lies people spoke over you, the wrong teachings of authority figures, or even the damaging views in your culture. Your shame may be rooted in real guilt over things you have done, but also in false guilt. It’s difficult to understand the roots of shame all on your own.

Since shame is hard to eliminate alone, many people need help from a Christian counselor to identify shame and overcome it. Meditate on these Bible verses about shame to draw closer to God and start healing. But do not hesitate to seek an objective viewpoint from a Christian counselor.

The counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling are trained to recognize the roots of shame. They know the techniques you can use to overcome shame once and for all. Please give us a call if you need more help getting over your shame. We can help you overcome shame using solid principles in God’s Word.