In the west, we struggle with shame. We’re OK with sin, because we know what to do with it. Or demons, because at least we probably know of someone who knows what to do. But what about shame? Here are just some initial reflections.

This is very similar to our problem overcoming the world, like I wrote here:

Soils 4: The World

When someone feels shame, if we even recognize that, we typically lead them into forgiveness (from sin) or deliverance (from evil), because we don’t know what to do. But it doesn’t help, because shame is a real thing itself.

In the beginning, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed (Gen 2:25). They sinned, then they blamed, and they were ashamed (Gen 3:7-11). But then God clothed them (Gen 3:21).

In Revelation, it also talks about clothes.

• But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. – Rev 3:4
• I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed” – Rev 3:18
• they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb – Rev 7:14
• Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame. – Rev 16:15
• Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. – Rev 22:14

So I looked at 723 verses in the Bible about being clothed or naked or ashamed. Here’s what I found.

Shame has to do with being publicly disgraced.

• How Moab has turned his back—he is ashamed! So Moab will become a laughingstock – Jer 48:39
• There also are the chiefs of the north, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who in spite of the terror resulting from their might, in shame went down with the slain – Ezek 32:30
• And the riders on horses will be put to shame. – Zech 10:5
• Kiriathaim has been put to shame, it has been captured; The lofty stronghold has been put to shame and shattered. – Jer 48:1
• Moab has been put to shame, for it has been shattered – Jer 48:20

Shame often has to do with clothing (how we look).

• Those who hate you will be clothed with shame – Job 8:22
• Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. – Ps 109:29
• “Even the bravest among the warriors will flee naked in that day,” declares the Lord. – Amos 2:16
• Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me. – Ps 35:26
• “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts; “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, And show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. – Na 3:5
• “His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon himself his crown shall shine.” – Ps 132:18
• Your nakedness will be uncovered, Your shame also will be exposed – Is 47:3

Honor and authority also have to do with clothing.

• You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. – Ex 28:2
• And I will clothe him with your tunic and tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority – Is 22:21
• they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. – Dan 5:29
• It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. – Reve 19:8
• I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads – Rev 4:4
• Strength and dignity are her clothing – Pr 31:25
• Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen. – Gen 41:42
• Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, And clothe yourself with honor and majesty. – Job 40:10
• I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban – Job 29:14
• Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your godly ones sing for joy. – Ps 132:9

The Old Testament law often commanded people to bathe their body and wash their clothes. Let’s say that sin makes the body dirty, and shame makes your clothes dirty (how you look to others). If you bathe but don’t wash your clothes, or vice versa, you still stink. Somehow we have to deal with both. Like Jude says, our sin can cause shame: “have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” – Jude 1:23

Jesus defeated not just sin and fear on the cross, but also shame.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Heb 12:2

And God continues to clothe our nakedness:

• you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – Gal 3:27
• stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. – Lk 24:49