Shame is a powerful tool of the enemy and the reason he continues to lodge powerful accusations against us. If he can get us to shrink from the Lord in shame, then he can make us feel too guilty to pray, read the Word, serve and attend a local church, etc. Shame causes us to avoid anyplace where we might encounter a holy God.

There are certain moments a father never forgets. One of the sweetest memories of my young children occurred when I came home after work. Immediately, my children would drop whatever they were doing and scream “Daddy’s home” while running full speed into my kneecaps. Though I came home everyday, they greeted me as if I had been lost at sea for the past year and unexpectedly found my way back.

Such exciting greetings were the norm for a while, at least until they got to the pre-teen stage. But, every once in a while, one of them would act different. Rather than beaming with excitement at my return, they would recoil with reservation. Instead of running full speed into my arms, they would continue playing with their toys and pretend they didn’t notice I was home.

Such behavior usually meant someone got into an abnormal amount of trouble that day. My children find trouble everyday, but some days they are exceptionally disobedient, which caused my wife to drop the dreaded words: “I’m going to tell your dad when he gets home.”

Rather than anticipating my arrival, they would shrink in shame. As a father, there’s nothing that breaks your heart more than when your children’s disobedience breaks such sweet fellowship opportunities.

Rightful Fear of a Holy God

John encourages his readers in 1 John 2:28: “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”

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