CAUSES FOR SHAME

Intro:

	1.	When Christians are following the will of God, they have no reason for shame. (Phil. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 1:12; 

		Rom. 10:11)

	2.	However, when we fail to follow God, we should be ashamed.

	3.	It seems, though, that many today feel no shame for things that ought to cause shame. (Cf. Jer. 8:12)

	4.	There are several things mentioned in the New Testament that ought to cause shame. —

I.	Ignorance Of God And His Word.

	A.	Ignorance of God. (1 Cor. 15:34)

		1.	If one wants eternal life, he must come to knowledge of God. (John 17:3)

		2.	One who does not come to such knowledge is in danger of God’s vengeance. (2 Thess. 1:8)

		3.	We exhibit our knowledge of God through our actions and behavior. (1 John 2:3-4; 1 John 4:8)

	B.	Ignorance of God’s Word. (2 Tim. 2:15)

		1.	It is through the knowledge of God’s word that we can have salvation and lead others to it. (2 Tim. 3:15; 

			cf. Rom. 10:17)

		2.	However, one who makes no attempt to come to an understanding of God’s word is unwise. (Eph. 5:17)

		3.	Christians who do not progress in their knowledge of God’s word have a reason to be ashamed. (Heb. 5:12-14)

II.	Suffering As An Evildoer. (1 Pet. 4:15-16)

	A.	It is cause for shame because sin leads to death. (Rom. 6:20-21,23)

	B.	We see that those who practice evil will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21)

III.	Blurring The Distinction Between The Sexes. 

	A.	By length of hair. (1 Cor. 11:14-15)

		1.	"Long" and "short" mean something.

		2.	Let’s stay in safe area.

	B.	By one’s clothing.

	C.	By one’s behavior. (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9)

		1.	The word (Malaos) here is translated "effeminate" in KJV and "homosexual" in NKJV.

		2.	The word literally means "soft" or "soft to the touch."

		3.	Also "a male who submits himself to unnatural lewdness." (See Vines and Thayer)

	D.	God’s attitude toward the blurring of lines between the sexes can also be seen in principle in the Old Testament 

		Scriptures. (Deut. 22:5)

	E.	Men should exhibit male characteristics and behavior. Women should exhibit female characteristics and behavior.

		1.	When God created man, the Bible says, "male and female He created them." (Gen. 1:27) — not "male and 

			female and so forth."

		2.	Let’s keep things as God created them.

		3.	I am afraid that things such as the women’s movement, the gay rights movement, etc. have affected our 

			thinking today more than we would like to admit.

IV.	To Speak Of Certain Ungodly Things. (Eph. 5:12)

	A.	Many people today speak openly and unblushingly of matters of which they ought to be ashamed. — They 

		then commend themselves for the fact that we have such an open society.

	B.	A Christian will take care as to what he discusses openly and as to how he selects his words. (Matt. 12:36)

	C.	The Bible speaks of misuse of speech that needs to be avoided:

		1.	Corrupt communication of any kind. (Eph. 4:29)

		2.	Foolish talking and coarse jesting. (Eph. 5:4)

		3.	Profanity of any kind.

	D.	Our speech should be above reproach, such that cannot be condemned. (Tit. 2:8; Matt. 12:37)

V.	Immodesty.

	A.	In dress.

		1.	One must dress to avoid shame. (1 Tim. 2:9) — Notice word "shamefaced- ness" or "shame fastness."

		2.	Nakedness carries with it a sense of shame. (Cf. Rev. 3:18)

	B.	In conduct. 

		1.	Must avoid boasting. (Ps. 94:4; Rom. 1:30,32)

		2.	We should instead humble ourselves. (Luke 18:14; Phil. 2:1-4)

Concl:

	Have we lost our ability to blush? Do we avoid things that should cause shame? Are we ashamed of the wrong things?