Joe R. Price

We ought to feel shame when we sin (violating or omitting God's will, 1 John 3:4; James 4:17). The impurity of sin brings shame, but no shame is attached to pure thoughts and actions (Gen. 2:25; 3:6-11).

God has always commanded His people to be holy (Lev. 11:44; Deut. 23:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). One character trait that generates and guards our holiness and purity is “shamefastness” (1 Tim. 2:9, ASV; shamefacedness,” KJV; “propriety,” NKJV). This “sense of shame” is rooted fast within one's heart, so

much so that one is repulsed by sinful, shameful things instead of being drawn to them.

Shamefastness disappears when one's conscience is seared by sin and one's heart is hardened toward righteousness. God identified the failure to be ashamed of sin in Judah and in the false teachers who seduced her away from God and His word: “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down,” says the LORD (Jer. 8:12).

Shamefastness has evaporated from our society. Lest we think we are above developing shameless attitudes toward shameful things, we should “take heed lest (we) fall” (1 Cor. 1:12).

The Bible warns against things that are shameful in God's sight. Each of these should be shameful in our sight, too. We ought to be repulsed by them, not drawn to them.

The shame of immodest clothing. Shamefastness chooses clothing that is arranged in agreement with professions of godliness (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Clothing that reveals one's nakedness by exposing the body with less than a full complement of clothing (such as miniskirts, bikinis, backless and cleavage revealing dresses, shirtless men, and shorts that expose the thighs of men and women, etc. Gen. 3:7, 10, 21; Isa. 47:2-3) is deterred and prevented by maintaining a sense of shame. The lack of clothing that passes as proper today ought to cause great blushing, especially among Christians. But some are not being taught to identify and wear modest clothing. Others discount the biblical guidance that defines nakedness. When this happens, both the wearer and the observer are unmoved by immodest clothing. Christians have never learned or forgotten how to blush.

The shame of sexual immorality. Under the law of Moses, a husband who falsely charged his wife with “shameful conduct” was punished and prevented from putting away his wife (Deut. 22:13-19). But, if she was guilty of the “disgraceful thing” (premarital sexual immorality), she was to be stoned to death (Deut. 22:20-21).

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul says that committing homosexual acts is “shameful” (immoral, Rom. 1:27). Yet now, premarital and extramarital sex, including homosexuality, are acceptable to the masses. 69% of U.S. adults say same-sex marriage is morally acceptable (Gallup, https://tinyurl.com/24ujlxgz). Because there is no shame over sin, Americans have forgotten “how to blush” (Rom. 1:24-28). Some Christians have, too.

The shame of idolatry. Worshiping false gods is a shameful thing (Jer. 11:13; Hos. 9:10). Many gods are worshiped today instead of the true and living God, not the least of which is the god of materialism (Matt. 6:24). Driven by greed, the covetous person is an idolater (Col. 3:5). Do we fail to blush when we put “things” above and ahead of God? Many are not at all ashamed of this great sin.

The shame of defying proper authority. We all live under authority, and we should be ashamed when we do not respect it (1 Pet. 2:13-14). But a rebellious spirit is rampant.

Scripture teaches it is shameful for women to speak in the assembly of the church (1 Cor. 14:35). However, many have no shame in this regard, as evidenced by the presence of women preachers (1 Tim. 2:11-12). Similarly, “it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved” (1 Cor. 11:6). Her hair is her glory (1 Cor. 11:15). But, it is shameful for a man to have long hair (1 Cor. 11:14). Today, many men have lost any sense of shame over wearing long hair, and some women shamelessly shave their heads. Both actions demonstrate a failure to respect authority; a sense of shame is lacking (1 Cor. 11:3-7).

The shame of an uncontrolled tongue. Shamefastness prevents “shameful speaking” (Col. 3:8, ASV). “Filthy language” (NKJV) is rampant in America. You may not use it, but have you become unmoved by it? Do you recoil in shame when it is used around you?

The shame of worldliness. We must rebuke the “works of darkness” because they are shameful, not be drawn to them (Eph. 5:12). Maintain personal shamefastness (Eph. 5:3-11).