Read Gen 3:1-8 … and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD 
God among the trees of the garden.

I.                   Shame, guilt, and condemnation are one of the more effective and most used weapons of our adversary. 

¨      The Word exhorts us to not be “ignorant” of his devices, and that some are taken captive by him.   (2Cor 2:11, 2Tim 2:26)

¨      Notice these things from the Genesis text:

o       The enemy contends with God’s plan and guidelines / With Satan’s help she saw: eye pleasing and delicious food, an
opportunity to become as wise as God / The deception lifted after they disobeyed and they saw they were uncovered
/ Their covering was not enough for when God came to see them so they hid

·        Does it appear to you that they are ashamed of themselves and their actions?

·        In your opinion can shame influence someone positively, negatively, or both? (If they respond to the situation by
turning to the Lord for His answers and help it is positive.)

Rom 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, 
but
according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
2 Cor 4:1-2 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have 
renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by 
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

¨      To renounce is to verbally withdraw the agreement with something.

¨      “We” has clear conscience because the hidden things of shame have been renounced. 

¨      This allows “we” to be commended to every man’s conscience. 

II.                Responding properly to shame, guilt, and condemnation is characterized by repentance and faith.  This lesson is 
designed  to deal primarily with shame as the result of sin, as opposed to shame as the result of a situation.

o       Some of our actions are shameful and should be responded to accordingly such as David’s sin with Bath-Sheba. 
Repentance and faith

o       Some situations are shameful such as Sarah and Hannah not able to bear children.  There is no need for repentance, 
but faith is still necessary as illustrated in both lives. 

o       Some shame is the result of the actions perpetrated by another such as with Tamar in 1Sam 13:1-32.  She has not
sinned yet needs healing and cleansing from the filthy actions of her half brother, therefore faith is necessary. 

¨      Definitions:

1.      Shame – humiliating disgrace or disrepute, a feeling of embarrassment and painful emotion caused by the 
consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. 

a)      Shame will manifest itself  with a sense of worthlessness, self-rejection instead of self-acceptance,
feeling punished, and depression

b)      Self-acceptance = accepting one’s unchangeable characteristics: age, parents, race, sibs, time in
history, strengths, weaknesses, intelligence

2.      Guilt – The fact of having committed a breach of conduct, especially violating law and involving a penalty.  

3.      Condemnation – The state of being judged as wrong or evil; being pronounced guilty.     

4.      Conviction – reproof or admonishment for wrongdoing

a)      Conviction leads people to repentance

·        Consider the above definitions.  Have you experienced shame, guilt, and condemnation without conviction? 
What was the fruit of it? (Hopeless, discouraged, isolated, etc…)

·        Have you experienced conviction from the Holy Spirit after you have done something wrong?  What was the fruit
of it? (Cleansed, hopeful, open hearted to God and man)

¨      Shame, guilt, and condemnation are used by the enemy to present an aggressive assault that seeks to destroy the
individual’s relationship with God and others as well as undermining hope for the future and potential ministry.  

1.      Gen 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they … made themselves coverings. 8 And
they … hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 

¨      God’s intention: Use it all for His glory.

1.      Rom 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good … predestined to be conformed to
the image of His Son, …  

2.      1 Cor 1:26-29 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the
wise … that no flesh should glory in His presence. 

¨      Satan’s objective:  is to make you feel irreconcilable judgment on your life. 

1.      Every mistake is heaped on you, making you feel like a second class citizen.  (you’re no good, you’re life is
totally out of order) Satan uses this scheme to rob Christians of their freedom, joy, faith, and purpose. 
Rev 12:11

III.             Sources of Shame, Guilt, and condemnation:

¨      Satan: Consumes us with our past failures.  (Accuser of the Brethren / Rev 12:11 / Romans 8:28-29) 
Pastor Paul shared several of his own past failures that have been challenging to deal with summarized with the 
following words or phrases:

a)      Failed efforts on the job, in your personal life, or in school; hurting others; repeating an
attempt to move forward.  (The enemy is attacking relationship with the Lord and His people and
hope for the future.  Most ministries to the church and the lost grow from God turning for good what
the enemy meant for evil. Jer 29:11

2.      Points out your weakness: He attacks “self-acceptance”

a)      Too big, too little, too something, the anti-self-acceptance message can be overwhelming.

b)      2 Cor 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness." … the power of Christ may rest upon me…

3.      Compels you to isolate yourself from others

a)      Fear of intimacy and avoidance of relationships is manifested in the sabotage of friendships and 
rejection of people before being rejected.  “If they really knew me they would not want me here or love me.”

·        Consider and discuss how past failures, weaknesses, and isolation are used as weapons against you by the enemy.

¨      Self: Driven to perfectionism: (Fleshy attempts to better yourself)

a)      False identity – performs for acceptance versus self acceptance

1.      Adam and Eve making garments of fig leaves

b)      Superhuman – a person who has no needs, all the answers.  Many may come to them for answers
because they wear the mask so well. 

1.      King David may illustrate this as Nathan shares the pitiful lamb story and KD is ready to have
the man put to death.  

2.      Self-punishment and self-hatred:

a)      Victim – It is completely my fault/ I am completely disgraced by the actions of another / I bear it alone

1.      Judas does not attempt to repent and is overcome with grief of what he has done. 

2.      Tamar tore her clothes, would not eat, and stayed desolate in her brother’s house because of
the shame associated with being raped by her half brother.  2Sam 13:19-20

b)      Self-destructive nature. 

1.      Seeking to sabotage every good thing that comes into your life, and so live out the lie.  I’m not
worth it, and I don’t deserve this good. 

2.      I can’t accept the blessings of God on my life.  ???

c)      Dependent upon the opinions of other people.

1.      Fear of being wrong and failing

2.      Fear of confrontation

3.      Isolation:

a)      Walls are built to keep others out and coverings are applied

b)      Why when the Bible says so much about one another do many Christians still struggle with building
relationship?  (Shame is only one reason but it is not the only one.)

c)      Rebellion against authority can be viewed as another form of isolation directed at leaders. 

IV.              God’s answer for us: Ps 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. NKJV

·        How have you been encouraged in the past to look to Him as an answer to shame, and how can you help each
other look up in these difficult times?  

·        How do you think walking in a clean conscience without shame, guilt, and condemnation could be used by the
Lord to  benefit the lost?