Many of the strongholds you struggle with are really just symptoms of a deeper stronghold: shame.
Guilt is about what you did. Shame, on the other hand, is about who you are. Guilt stems from an action, but shame runs much deeper—it lingers, leaving a residue on your life.
Shame is like a disfigurement. You can’t escape it. It feels intrinsic to who you are, and you fear others will notice it and see you differently.
The Bible opens with a remarkable story in paradise. Everything is perfect, and by the end of chapter 2, we read that Adam and Eve were “naked and not ashamed.”
Chapter 3 introduces the fall of mankind—sin enters the world. Before the fall, they were unashamed because God’s love and acceptance were complete. There was no shame. After their sin, that perfect continuity of love and acceptance was broken, and they felt the weight of shame.
Think about it: they had always been naked, yet after the fall, the loss of God’s approval made them feel exposed and ashamed.
What did Adam and Eve do? They tried to cover their shame in their own strength.
We do the same. We battle shame by trying to cover it, medicate it, or cope with it—but, like them, we can’t fix it on our own.
Shame can come from several places:
1. Some act you participated in
Whenever you fall short of your moral understanding, shame can take root. You might think, I should have been able to say no, but I caved. Maybe you looked at pornography again, cheated on your spouse, or did something you regret. These actions can produce guilt, and if unaddressed, guilt can deepen into shame.
2. Some act done to you
This is often the most painful source of shame. Abuse or other traumatic acts can leave a residue on your soul if the gospel isn’t applied. You may start to believe that the harm done to you reflects who you are. I was treated horribly; therefore, I must be worthless.
One woman described her experience this way: “I was molested as a young teen, and even though I knew it wasn’t my fault, I felt dirty and unlovable. I looked to boys for attention and love—anything to make me feel seen—because I had this sense I was a bad person, and no one would really want me.” That feeling of being inherently bad is shame.
3. Something you had no control over
Shame can also arise from circumstances beyond your control. In the Bible, for example, women who couldn’t have children were often stigmatized, as barrenness was viewed culturally as a curse (though this was never God’s design). Other sources might include disability, disfigurement, or abandonment. Even when you are blameless, these experiences can leave a sense of shame if not met with truth and healing.
The cure for shame is a proper application and understanding of the good news announcement.
Jesus was on His way to help a man whose daughter was dying—but He’s interrupted by someone even more desperate.
Verse 43 highlights how dire her situation was, “A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, who had spent all she had on doctors and yet could not be healed by any…”
She has endured not only chronic physical pain but emotional and spiritual isolation. Her condition makes her ceremonially unclean: she can’t touch others, worship, or participate in community life. She’s spent her resources and has no hope left.
Verse 44 says, “…approached from behind and touched the end of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped.”
Her faith—so bold and desperate—drives her to reach out. Faith is an inner conviction expressed in action. In touching Jesus, she expresses her belief and allows healing to flow.
Verses 45–46 says, “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. … “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.”
When Jesus asks, He’s inviting self-reflection—sparked by her faith. And here’s the beauty: by touching Him, she doesn’t contaminate Jesus—He cleanses her. Her uncleanness passes to Him, pointing to the cross, where He absorbs our sin and shame.
Verse 47 says, “When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. … she declared … how she was instantly healed.”
She testifies openly—Jesus heals—and she can’t help but share what He has done.
Verse 48 says, “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Notice that tender term—Daughter. This is the only time Jesus addresses someone this way in the Gospels. It foreshadows the doctrine of spiritual adoption: when you come to Jesus by faith, you become His child. Her faith didn’t just bring healing; it brought family, peace, relationship, and identity.
‘Your faith has saved you.’ It’s not just health restored, but wholeness, peace, and belonging.
Two Actions to Bust the Stronghold of Shame
1. Moment-by-Moment Rest in Your Gospel Identity
This isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a moment-by-moment practice.
Identity is simply the label of who you are. The world loves to label you—winner or loser, good or bad. Some of you have labeled yourself, and deep down you don’t like what you see. Others may even like themselves a little too much.
Shame says, “That person in the mirror is unlovable.”
But here’s the truth—you are not what others say about you. You are not who you think you are. You are not what someone did to you.
You are not defective, damaged, broken, flawed, dirty, ugly, impure, disgusting, unlovable, weak, pitiful, insignificant, or unwanted.
Who are you?
You are who Christ says you are: forgiven, free, redeemed, chosen, changed, blessed, beloved, more than a conqueror, and a child of God.
If you are in Him, you are cleansed, loved, and chosen. Your identity is what Jesus has declared over your life.
J.I. Packer said:
“If you want to know how much someone understands Christianity, find out how much they make of the Fatherhood of God.”
- The antidote for guilt is repentance and confession (1 John 1:9). On the cross, Jesus paid for every sick, wicked, sinful thing. All your sin was placed on Him, and His righteousness was placed on you.
- The antidote for shame is understanding adoption (Ephesians 1:5).
God fully knows you and still loves you.
Just like my own kids—when they falter, I never stop loving them. I pick them up, we restart. Yes, there may be consequences, but the relationship is always secure.
In Luke 8, Jesus declares the woman “Daughter,” and she testifies to His goodness. Nothing drives shame away faster than being fully known and fully loved.
The doctrine of adoption removes shame. Rehearse it over and over again until the gospel speaks louder than the voice of shame.
2. Boldly Testify to What Jesus Has Done
One of the fastest ways to tear down the stronghold of shame is to bring your story into the light.
In Luke 8:47, when the woman realized she could no longer remain hidden, she came trembling and fell before Jesus. “In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed.”
Shame thrives in secrecy. It grows in the dark. But when you testify to Jesus’ work in your life, you bring it into the open where it loses its grip.
When you share what God has done:
- You remind yourself of His goodness.
- You strengthen the faith of others.
- You silence the enemy’s accusations.
This isn’t about putting your failures on display—it’s about putting Jesus’ faithfulness on display.
Your testimony says, “This is where I was. This is what Jesus did. This is who I am now because of Him.”
If you struggle with shame, don’t keep silent. Find a trusted friend, a small group, or even a room full of people and tell the story of what Christ has done for you. The woman in Luke 8 didn’t whisper it—she testified “in the presence of all the people.”
When you speak your story, you echo the gospel. You are declaring that Jesus’ work in you is greater than your past, your pain, and your shame.
Bold testimony is both a weapon against shame and a megaphone for grace.
Pastor Chris Williams
To learn more about Pastor Chris and his teaching, visit us on the web at fcfamily.org and make sure you subscribe to receive these weekly encouragements in your inbox.
