Do you ever think that there must be something wrong with you because of your failures, sins, or mistakes? This idea can discourage you and keep you from moving past
Secrets Christians Never Share
Have you ever kept thoughts to yourself about God, your personal life, or your spiritual life? Have you ever wondered if there might be something better than the kind of
Releasing Your Regrets
Do you have any regrets? Any transparent person would confess they do. The million dollar question is this. Do you have regrets or do your regrets have you? In other
God’s Cure for a Shame-based Identity
Have you ever heard that little voice in your head saying, “There must be something wrong with me”? It usually speaks to us after a mistake, a sin, or a
GOD’S GOOD. YOU’RE BAD. TRY HARDER!
Dad: “How did youth group go?”
Son: “Oh you know, Dad. God’s good. You’re bad. Try Harder.”
That’s the unfortunate message Christians hear every week.
In my recent introduction at our Pastor’s Conference, I shared that I believe there are three distinct types of Christians attending a typical worship service each week.
GOD’S GOOD. YOU’RE BAD. TRY HARDER!
Dad: “How did youth group go?”
Son: “Oh you know, Dad. God’s good. You’re bad. Try Harder.”
That’s the unfortunate message Christians hear every week.
In my recent introduction at our Pastor’s Conference, I shared that I believe there are three distinct types of Christians attending a typical worship service each week.
God’s Cure for a Shame-based Identity
Have you ever heard that little voice in your head saying “There must be something wrong with me.” It usually speaks to us after a mistake, a sin, or a rejection from someone. It’s the lying voice of the enemy of course, but it sounds a whole lot like our own. John 8:44c says about Satan, Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
That thought, that voice, that accusation is the spirit of shame. It’s not the same as being ashamed of something I did. This is different because this is about who I am. This kind of shame is a gnawing feeling, deep down that says “I am defective.”
It’s very closely related to condemnation. Condemnation whispers to us that because of what we did, we are messed up in the core of who we are. When we sin, the Holy Spirit points out to us that we didn’t live like who we are in Christ. On the other hand, condemnation is relentless in trying to convince us that our identity is fatally flawed. It leads us away from the truth of our identity in Christ to an identity defined by failure. If we listen to it long enough, it will eventually tell us that we are probably not a Christian at all!
That is why we all love Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It’s fascinating that this verse follows a chapter in which the Apostle Paul shared with us how much sin defeated him, even though he hated doing it every single time! Now that’s encouraging.
We are not under condemnation because God crucified our shame-based identity in Adam which genuinely was defective and messed up. Then He buried it in the grave forever with Jesus according to Romans 6:6. Knowing this that our old self was crucified that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Then He resurrected us as new creations, with a grace-based identity in Christ. God says we are now perfect according to Hebrews 10:14. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
No way does this mean we will live sinless lives. It does mean that our sin, mistakes, upbringing, abuse, or anything else cannot define us.
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of your past?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of your family?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of that sin you can’t stop doing?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because you are divorced?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because (you fill in the blank)?
God has crucified your shame-based identity and exchanged it for a grace-based identity in Christ. Galatians 2:20 speaks to this, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Why don’t you pray right now and tell God that you are choosing to believe that your shame-based identity died on the cross with Jesus and you are now embracing your grace-based identity. Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
And as always, we are here to help in person or virtually. Why don’t you at least have a consultation with us? Life is way too short to live under the oppression of a shame-based identity.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2015 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!
God’s Cure for a Shame-based Identity
Have you ever heard that little voice in your head saying “There must be something wrong with me.” It usually speaks to us after a mistake, a sin, or a rejection from someone. It’s the lying voice of the enemy of course, but it sounds a whole lot like our own. John 8:44c says about Satan, Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
That thought, that voice, that accusation is the spirit of shame. It’s not the same as being ashamed of something I did. This is different because this is about who I am. This kind of shame is a gnawing feeling, deep down that says “I am defective.”
It’s very closely related to condemnation. Condemnation whispers to us that because of what we did, we are messed up in the core of who we are. When we sin, the Holy Spirit points out to us that we didn’t live like who we are in Christ. On the other hand, condemnation is relentless in trying to convince us that our identity is fatally flawed. It leads us away from the truth of our identity in Christ to an identity defined by failure. If we listen to it long enough, it will eventually tell us that we are probably not a Christian at all!
That is why we all love Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It’s fascinating that this verse follows a chapter in which the Apostle Paul shared with us how much sin defeated him, even though he hated doing it every single time! Now that’s encouraging.
We are not under condemnation because God crucified our shame-based identity in Adam which genuinely was defective and messed up. Then He buried it in the grave forever with Jesus according to Romans 6:6. Knowing this that our old self was crucified that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Then He resurrected us as new creations, with a grace-based identity in Christ. God says we are now perfect according to Hebrews 10:14. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
No way does this mean we will live sinless lives. It does mean that our sin, mistakes, upbringing, abuse, or anything else cannot define us.
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of your past?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of your family?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because of that sin you can’t stop doing?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because you are divorced?
Do you operate from a shame-based identity because (you fill in the blank)?
God has crucified your shame-based identity and exchanged it for a grace-based identity in Christ. Galatians 2:20 speaks to this, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Why don’t you pray right now and tell God that you are choosing to believe that your shame-based identity died on the cross with Jesus and you are now embracing your grace-based identity. Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
And as always, we are here to help in person or virtually. Why don’t you at least have a consultation with us? Life is way too short to live under the oppression of a shame-based identity.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2015 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!
Grace-Onomics: God’s Exchange Rate for Shame
In 2002, staff members, Sandy Witherspoon, Dan Ascher and I traveled 24 hours to get half way around the world to Kyrgyzstan so we could teach the New Covenant message to the staff of a large Christian ministry. While there, we were all shocked at the monetary exchange rate. For example, $10 US dollars exchanged for about 600 SOMS which would buy an enormous amount of beautiful Kyrgyz goods.
In our world, there is also an exchange rate for an issue called shame. Shame in this case is not being ashamed of something you did or some sin you committed or the ones committed against you. This kind of shame is more about an inner sense of being defective. It is the overwhelming thought, “Something’s wrong with me!” It’s a cousin of guilt, feeling very similar but not quite the same.
For those outside of Christ, there truly is something wrong with them. Their core self, called the “old self” according to Romans 6:6 is all wrong. It is an enemy of God and evil through and through. We can praise God, though, that once a person is placed into Christ through faith in Him, that old self is crucified with Christ and removed permanently. Then it is replaced with the “new self”, your New Creation identity.
Yet, if we don’t constantly remind ourselves of our identity in Christ, this world we live in can mold even in us shame based messages. It often comes from thoughts the Accuser places in our minds or from people who criticize by throwing identity statements at us like: “You’re stupid.” “You’re crazy.” “You can’t do anything right…and more.”
Let’s make this practical. Do you know the central lie you believe about yourself which your shame based identity is wrapped around? If not, would you stop and ask the Lord to show it to you right now? Here are a few I’ve heard through the years.
I’m not a very good Christian.
I’m very inadequate and inferior compared to other people.
I must be the best to be important.
I’m too stupid to get my life together.
Once you know what that central lie is about you, then you can let God’s truth replace it with the genuine reality about who you are. That is you can be renewed – change how you think – about yourself. Here are some good examples.
Who Am I? (Taken from our Grace Life Conference)
Matt. 5:13 I am the salt of the earth.
Matt. 5:14 I am the light of the world.
John 15:1, 5 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of His (Christ’s) life.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
John 15:16 I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Rom. 6:18 I am a slave of righteousness.
Rom. 6:22 I am a slave to God.
I Cor. 3:16; 6:19 I am a temple of God. His Spirit dwells in me.
I Cor. 6:17 I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
I Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
II Cor. 5:17 I am a new creation.
II Cor. 5:18.19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
II Cor. 5:21 I am the righteousness of God in Christ
Gal. 3:26, 28 I am a son of God and one in Christ
Eph. 1:1 I am a saint. (See I Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1, Col. 1:2)
Eph. 1:4 I am holy and blameless.
God has exchanged your shame-based identity for a grace based identity (Gal. 2:20) (Col.3-1-4) which is dependent on what Jesus has done instead of what you have done! Are you tired of your attempts to remove your shame through “try harder religion teachings?” Spend time this week proclaiming the truth of who you are in Christ, and enjoy resting in the exchange of your shame for God’s grace.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2015 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!
Grace-Onomics: God’s Exchange Rate for Shame
In 2002, staff members, Sandy Witherspoon, Dan Ascher and I traveled 24 hours to get half way around the world to Kyrgyzstan so we could teach the New Covenant message to the staff of a large Christian ministry. While there, we were all shocked at the monetary exchange rate. For example, $10 US dollars exchanged for about 600 SOMS which would buy an enormous amount of beautiful Kyrgyz goods.
In our world, there is also an exchange rate for an issue called shame. Shame in this case is not being ashamed of something you did or some sin you committed or the ones committed against you. This kind of shame is more about an inner sense of being defective. It is the overwhelming thought, “Something’s wrong with me!” It’s a cousin of guilt, feeling very similar but not quite the same.
For those outside of Christ, there truly is something wrong with them. Their core self, called the “old self” according to Romans 6:6 is all wrong. It is an enemy of God and evil through and through. We can praise God, though, that once a person is placed into Christ through faith in Him, that old self is crucified with Christ and removed permanently. Then it is replaced with the “new self”, your New Creation identity.
Yet, if we don’t constantly remind ourselves of our identity in Christ, this world we live in can mold even in us shame based messages. It often comes from thoughts the Accuser places in our minds or from people who criticize by throwing identity statements at us like: “You’re stupid.” “You’re crazy.” “You can’t do anything right…and more.”
Let’s make this practical. Do you know the central lie you believe about yourself which your shame based identity is wrapped around? If not, would you stop and ask the Lord to show it to you right now? Here are a few I’ve heard through the years.
I’m not a very good Christian.
I’m very inadequate and inferior compared to other people.
I must be the best to be important.
I’m too stupid to get my life together.
Once you know what that central lie is about you, then you can let God’s truth replace it with the genuine reality about who you are. That is you can be renewed – change how you think – about yourself. Here are some good examples.
Who Am I? (Taken from our Grace Life Conference)
Matt. 5:13 I am the salt of the earth.
Matt. 5:14 I am the light of the world.
John 15:1, 5 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of His (Christ’s) life.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
John 15:16 I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Rom. 6:18 I am a slave of righteousness.
Rom. 6:22 I am a slave to God.
I Cor. 3:16; 6:19 I am a temple of God. His Spirit dwells in me.
I Cor. 6:17 I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
I Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
II Cor. 5:17 I am a new creation.
II Cor. 5:18.19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
II Cor. 5:21 I am the righteousness of God in Christ
Gal. 3:26, 28 I am a son of God and one in Christ
Eph. 1:1 I am a saint. (See I Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1, Col. 1:2)
Eph. 1:4 I am holy and blameless.
God has exchanged your shame-based identity for a grace based identity (Gal. 2:20) (Col.3-1-4) which is dependent on what Jesus has done instead of what you have done! Are you tired of your attempts to remove your shame through “try harder religion teachings?” Spend time this week proclaiming the truth of who you are in Christ, and enjoy resting in the exchange of your shame for God’s grace.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2015 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!
