So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
(Genesis 3:10 NKJV)
The first negative emotion to make its grand entrance into the world was shame, shortly followed by fear. Both occurred as a result of sin.
Immediately after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened. They were suddenly aware of their nakedness, and shame enveloped them. Then they heard God in the Garden of Eden. That’s when fear took them hostage as they tried to hide from God.
Not much has changed since Eden. Shame continues to leave us exposed, and fear takes many captives. Sadly, many people are still trying to hide from God. Many still try to cover up their humiliation.
Once God found the first couple, He dealt with their sin. Then He did the same thing He wants to do for us. He covered what shame uncovered. God killed two animals, and He made tunics for Adam and Eve. Blood was shed, symbolizing the blood of Christ, shed on the cross to cover our sin and our shame.
The fig leaves didn’t involve a blood sacrifice. They were a temporary fix, but God gave them the skins of dead animals to remind them of the bloodshed.
Are you carrying the burden of yesterday’s guilt? Maybe even today’s guilt. Jesus shed His blood to atone for our sins. He welcomes a contrite heart, and He stands ready to forgive a repentant sinner.
Perhaps the enemy continuously reminds you of a life you regret. If you have been born again, that sin has been covered along with its accompanying guilt. Thank God for saving you from your former life. Refuse to allow thet devil to taunt you with painful reminders.
Maybe it isn’t your sin, but the sin of another that pricks your heart. It leaves you feeling naked and incomplete, like a victim.
Love covers what shame uncovered.
God is love, and His love is enough to cover the nakedness of shame, just like the tunics He made for Adam and Eve. He wants you to take His hand and leave the victim mentality behind, because you are a victor.
The enemy is skilled at using the tactic of shame. Each time the memories of that horrible event rushes to the forefront of your mind, forbid it to stay. Allow God’s love to reign in both your heart and your mind.
Shame cannot expose what God has covered. Ask God to conquer those memories and feelings so you can live forgiven.
Heavenly Father, rescue me from the repetitive guilt I feel over forgiven sin and the sinful, horrific acts of others. Remove the memory as far as the east is from the west which is what You do with our sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
Commit these painful memories to prayer. Remember, you are forgiven. Live forgiven.
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Originally posted on March 1, 2021 @ 3:02 am
So good. Yes Our first sin produced shame and shame will always make us feel exposed. The enemy wants us to feel exposed, shameful, and unworthy to be in Gods presence. Satan loves it when we try to hide from God. But like Psalm 139 reminds us. There is no where we can go to be far from Gods presence as He is with us no matter where we go to hide.
Thank you for allowing me to share your insight into the temporary “clothes”