The Snare of Shame
Where It Comes From, What It Does, and How Love Sets Us Free
Shame Didn’t Start With God
Shame is one of the oldest lies whispered into human identity.
It didn’t originate in Eden’s design, and it certainly didn’t originate in the heart of God.
Before the fall, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed—fully known, fully loved, fully at rest.
They weren’t thinking about themselves.
They were thinking about Him, and about each other.
Shame wasn’t even a category.
The Lie That Changed Everything
Then another voice entered the garden.
A voice that questioned God’s goodness and their identity as His beloved.
A voice that suggested they were missing something
when, in truth, they already had everything.
The moment they believed the lie, everything shifted.
Their eyes turned inward.
Self-focus replaced God-focus.
Union turned into insecurity.
And shame was born.
Shame's Yield: Fear, Hiding, and Blame
The story of Genesis 3 is painfully familiar:
Fear
“I was afraid…”
Shame tells us God is disappointed, distant, or dangerous—
and fear always follows.
Hiding
“So I hid…”
Shame makes us disappear from our own lives,
fig leaves and all.
Blame
“The woman… You gave me…”
When shame gets loud enough,
we project our pain onto everyone else—even God.
Shame always attacks identity.
Shame always distorts God’s face.
Shame always fractures relationship.
What Do We Do About It?
We return to the God who never moved.
We receive the love Jesus prayed we would experience:
“…that the love You have for Me may be in them.” —John 17:26
Shame says, “Hide.”
Love says, “Come home.”
Shame says, “You’re disqualified.”
Love says, “You’re My beloved.”
Shame says, “Stay small.”
Love says, “Lift your head.”
You don’t overcome shame by trying harder.
You overcome shame by remembering Whose you are.
Reflection