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Unashamed
Are you hesitating to take action because of private feelings of shame?
This is Vince Miller.
Our text today is from 2 Timothy 1:8. It reads:
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. — 2 Timothy 1:8
So at this moment, Paul is writing from prison to his young protege Timothy. He wants him to take some active steps to address internal feelings that could keep him from living out his mission and calling. Actions, if not taken, could affect him and the future of the church. And Paul knows everything hangs on one thing — his hesitation in his private feelings of shame.
So what is shame? Shame is a feeling. It is a feeling of distress. It alerts us in two moments. When have already taken a wrong action. Or right before we take the right action that may involve risk.
And for some men, shame on either side of these moments is debilitating. It can keep us stuck in the wrong action. Or it leads to hesitation that results in inaction.
Today I want to address the second side of the issue — the hesitation to take the right action that leads to inaction. And Paul, in this one sentence, will tell Timothy how to overcome this by telling him five certainties about shame.
- People will shame you for your testimony about Jesus.
- Shame sometimes results in hesitation that keeps you from taking the right action.
- If you hesitate too long, you will choose inaction.
- Inaction keeps you from living on mission.
- Inaction keeps you from experiencing the power of God.
These are profound points that Paul is trying to communicate. And in the shame-based culture in which they lived, private and public shame was a potentially big deterrent for advancing the Gospel.
Yet, in our time, it's no different. Shame for being a believer is becoming a bigger issue every day. We feel pressured by corporate agendas, government mandates, and public pressure to keep silent about our faith for fear of persecution. But the wrong action of others combined with our hesitation and inaction doubles down on the non-advancement of the Gospel. It also keeps us from our calling, and it also keeps us from knowing the power of God.
Do you know what we need today? Godly men who will push through the hesitation. Men who will suffer for the name of Jesus so that others will see the glory of God.
So let's get personal. Where have you been hesitating because of shame? Is it in your career? Your marriage? Your family? Your friendships? Are you hesitating to take action because of some private issue with shame? It's time to identify it. State it. Confess it. Determine to overcome it. Stop hesitating. If you do, you will know the freeing power of Jesus over all sin and shame.
And by the way, you might need a brother to help. Someone who has overcome his shame in the same area as you. That's what Paul was doing here. He was helping a brother out. He, too, had to work through the same issues, but he wanted his younger brother Timothy to know the freeing power of the Gospel and the power of God.
And that's what I want for you.
You can visit me at vincemiller.com.
And live all for him, who lived all in for you.
ASK THIS: Where are you hesitating in your spiritual life? What is the shame issue? Is there a brother who can help?
DO THIS: Declare your shame. Decide to overcome it. Find a brother to help.
PRAY THIS: God, today I give my shame to you. I confess that it has held me back for way too long. I will not hesitate. Bring a brother my way to show me the way to freedom and the power of God.
PLAY THIS: There Is Freedom.
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Wow! My shame is in my inaction as a family leader for fear of failure. Lord I do not want to be like my earthly father.
I hope I am not getting ahead of you Vince, but this devo reminded me of another verse that my oldest son and daughter had learned and memorized at one point.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
And just a bit further in the Bible…
Ecclesiastes 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I have heard pastors refer to verse 12 many times as self, spouse, and Holy Spirit in terms of a three corded marriage. Especially since becoming one flesh and having the Holy spirit indwelt in both people makes the 3 corded strand of a single rope an even easier image to understand. I hope this helps another brother in Christ as much as it has helped me. Thank you, Vince, for these insightful devotionals. Keep up the Good News explanation work.
So good Vince. Hugely appreciate your service in this ministry. Shame is a major barrier to living empowered lives for Christ for so many. Help us Lord, to be unashamed. Greetings from New Zealand.
Vince,
Thanks for this devo. One of the mantras my brother-in-law and I always express to each other is…”Be Prepared, Stand Firm, Trust Him”. The world and our culture has such a grip on people. They are looking for hope in all the wrong places, especially our young people. Shame is so debilitating! I praise God for His Word and for His strength in me. As you know, with out him, there is no hope. I am excited and looking forward to learn the other 13 verses. I thankful for you and appreciate your ministry tremendously. I have 3 daughter’s…2 of which who are dating. These 2 young men do understand the Truth. Although, they both are very impressionable and are in the college stage. They are building a relationship with someone who is so precious to my wife and I. I do my best to invest in their lives and try to impress upon the importance of living a Godly life. I send them your devotions, which has been a great way for me to connect with them. So..thank you for the work you are doing of the kingdom. You are certainly making an impact!!! Stand firm brother and know you are being prayed for!!!
Let’s be preppers! 😉
The Boomer Generation was Shame based on so many levels. Many of us have lived out our lives looking over our shoulders for fear of failure and hence shame.
your words really begin to chisel at that place of shame and the enemies stronghold there. Day by day, victory by victory God is healing with a vision bigger than the blindness of shame. Awesome awesome awesome series. Thank you
Thanks Brother Vince for this powerful and important devotional. I lived fir a period of time in that cycle of shame, further sin and inaction. God dealt with me in a mighty way, and had a brother prepared to be my Paul, together with God’s help I am a new man in Christ and not ashamed of speaking boldly about my faith and His work in me. Thanks for encouraging other men to do that same thing. I stand ready to be a Paul anytime because God has blessed me so much in these past few years!
Freedom!!!!! 🙌
AMEN!