How can I avoid shame?
Introduction. Shame is hurtful and undesirable. One Greek noun translated "shame" is atimia. It suggests "disgrace" and "dishonor" (rendered "vile passions" in Romans 1: 26). One way to avoid shame is to abstain from all practices which cause it (Isa. 54: 4). Consider 2 Timothy 2: 15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (KJV).
We are to rightly divide or handle aright the word of truth. Some handle God's word deceitfully, replace it, and/or twist it (2 Cor. 4: 2; Gal. 1: 6-10; 2 Pet. 4: 16). The Bible continues to be a best seller, but it is also the most abused book we have. Unfortunately, people too often decide what they want to believe and then they approach the Bible in an attempt to force it to teach what they desire! Care must be exercised in a study of the scriptures as Paul tells Timothy. If we do not study or gave diligence to properly use the scriptures, we will be "ashamed."
God's word shall be his standard of judgment. There is a popular but false belief that in the Day of Judgment, God will only see the deeds and righteousness of Jesus when judging believers. However, per the scriptures we shall be judged by our deeds (Rom. 2: 6 ff., 2 Cor. 5: 10). God's word shall be the standard, "...the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day," Jesus said (John 12: 48). The word of God is the standard we use to discern teachers and preachers (2 John 9-11).
Conclusion. If we allow the "word of truth" to guide and control what we believe and how we live, there will be no need for shame (cf. Gal. 2: 14). We must not be ashamed, though, of Jesus' words (Mk. 8: 38). We must hide the word in our hearts that we might not sin (cause of shame) against God (Ps. 119: 11).
We are to rightly divide or handle aright the word of truth. Some handle God's word deceitfully, replace it, and/or twist it (2 Cor. 4: 2; Gal. 1: 6-10; 2 Pet. 4: 16). The Bible continues to be a best seller, but it is also the most abused book we have. Unfortunately, people too often decide what they want to believe and then they approach the Bible in an attempt to force it to teach what they desire! Care must be exercised in a study of the scriptures as Paul tells Timothy. If we do not study or gave diligence to properly use the scriptures, we will be "ashamed."
God's word shall be his standard of judgment. There is a popular but false belief that in the Day of Judgment, God will only see the deeds and righteousness of Jesus when judging believers. However, per the scriptures we shall be judged by our deeds (Rom. 2: 6 ff., 2 Cor. 5: 10). God's word shall be the standard, "...the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day," Jesus said (John 12: 48). The word of God is the standard we use to discern teachers and preachers (2 John 9-11).
Conclusion. If we allow the "word of truth" to guide and control what we believe and how we live, there will be no need for shame (cf. Gal. 2: 14). We must not be ashamed, though, of Jesus' words (Mk. 8: 38). We must hide the word in our hearts that we might not sin (cause of shame) against God (Ps. 119: 11).