Pride and Shame - Not A Class Act

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Pride and Shame. I think it is safe to say that every Christ follower has experienced one of them. OK, in all honesty, both of them. They seem so different, don’t they? Pride puffs out its chest; shame lowers its head. Pride loudly boasts; shame quietly hides. Pride makes it a point to be seen; shame seeks to be invisible.

But don’t be fooled by these comparisons because both of these emotions have the same parentage and impact: They keep you moving away from the loving God who is reaching out to you. 

Pride speaks: You’re too good for Him.

Shame speaks: You’re too bad for Him.

Pride drives you away from God.

Shame keeps you away from God. 

Pride goes before the fall.

Shame keeps you from getting up after the fall.

Is there a remedy for either of these? I think there is. It comes from being right with God by faith in what Christ has done for us. Then we live in peace with God. When we are at peace with God, there is no competition for who is sovereign in our life. He controls it all so there is no reason for boasting. And since we have peace with God, there is the recognition that nothing can separate us from His love - no need of hiding. 

With Pride and Shame under control…peace with God!

Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. Romans 5:1 [New Century Version - NCV]