What exactly is this potent force called shame? We find this word often linked with "guilt" and "guilt and shame" used as if they were one descriptive term. Both words derive from similar Old English roots, but there is a definite difference between the two.
The biblical meaning of guilt is “responsibility”. It is an emotion that results from violating an accepted standard by a definite, voluntary act. It is concerned with doing or lack of doing, sins of commission or omission, or failing to do something right or doing something you know to be wrong. Guilt results in taking personal responsibility for such actions
Shame, on the other hand, means "to cover up and to envelop" and is concerned with being rather than doing. Shame says, "You are no good, you are bad, you are inadequate. Shame on you!"
Paul illustrates the difference between guilt and shame when he says in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." That is guilt emanating from doing. Then Paul agonizes in Romans 7:24, "Oh wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" This is a cry of a tormented soul experiencing the shame of being.
Shame is more than remorse for an act, regret, or a feeling of responsibility. It is internalized disgrace, humiliation, and degradation. Shame drives you on a hunting expedition into your past, scrutinizing everything you have done wrong and building a case against you like an aggressive prosecutor in a court of law. Many of you reading this can readily identify with this description because "court" is in session daily in your own mind.
Relentlessly, the internal interrogation continues. Guilt leads to godly sorrow which results in confessing and repenting of wrong doing. Paul explains that the Old Testament law was designed for this purpose in Romans 3:19, 20:
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
James 2:10 explains that whoever keeps the whole law and yet offends in one point is guilty of all. Such overwhelming guilt was designed by God to direct us to Jesus Christ. Guilt produces godly sorrow which leads to repentance which results in salvation:
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
However, shame is associated with the loss of respect by others and the eradication of self-respect. It prohibits intimacy with God because we feel unworthy. Unlike guilt, which is resolved by confession and repentance, shame becomes an identity.
Shame is the devil's strategy. For centuries, many have thought shame was the voice of God speaking to their conscience. But the Bible clearly identifies Satan as the accuser of believers and confirms that he is continually active in this mission in Revelation 12:10.
Godly sorrow leads to repentance, but shame produces misery, discouragement, and emotional pain. Constructive sorrow produces a positive change in behavior and once change is made by reconciliation with God and others, the constructive sorrow of guilt vanishes because its purpose is accomplished. The devil's shameful accusations remain, however, even after forgiveness has been sought and received. Such torment haunts the souls of some believers who have walked for 20, 30, or 40 years with the Lord. They simply cannot forget the shame of their past.
Shame torments you internally through your conscience and externally through condemnation by others. Shame moves into your life and establishes a base of operations resulting in what some psychologists call "a shame-based" personality, meaning that every facet of your person is affected by shame’s deadly poison. Only by God's grace can you deal with the shame of your past.
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