“It Is A Shame”

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12 KJV)

Beginning in Genesis 2:25 where the man and his wife were not ashamed, ending with 1 John 2:28 where we will have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming, there are 111 verses using the word "ashamed." I was surprised at how many spoke of NOT being ashamed, though most spoke of how people were a shamed. Ninety-eight verses contain the word "shame"

I like Strong's definition of the Hebrew שׁמצה (H8103) from Exodus 32:25:  Scornful whispering (of hostile spectators). And בּוּשׁ (H954) from Psalms 119:31: To be disappointed ... be confounded. Then there's the Greek αἰσχύνη (G152) from Hebrews 12:2 - which Christ despised: Disgrace.

We've gotten away from this feeling. There are things spoken of in our homes that are shameful. Well, maybe not in homes without television, computers or smartphones. Those communication devices bring programming and social media that often display things we would not invite into our homes, but there they are.

I find them in mine. I enjoy Facebook, but there are posts that contain words I will not speak. Often they are posted by family members. When that’s consistent, I’ve had to “deFriend,” causing rifts. But I don’t want to appear to support such words/photos. It’s biblical:

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (Ephesians 5:15 KJV)

And, as always, there’s more to it than one simple verse:

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:16-20 KJV)

How can we possibly understand what the will of the Lord is until we know what has been written about Him? Not just one person’s interaction with Him, but hundreds, across even more hundred of years. Look at a preponderance of evidence. That’s a process used in genealogy as well as trials:

… the greater weight of the evidence required in a civil (non-criminal) lawsuit for the trier of fact (jury or judge without a jury) to decide in favor of one side or the other. This preponderance is based on the more convincing evidence and its probable truth or accuracy, and not on the amount of evidence.

Of course, I’m a very biased reporter – I have personal evidence of what a difference God makes in lives. I know specific prayers and their answers – some not positive, but obviously within His will. I believe because I’ve done my own searching, learning, studying, praying and understanding. Thus I know this is a personal journey as each one moves along those paths. I’ve seen loved ones side-tracked by huge stumbling blocks and I pray for their return to:

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalms 105:4-5 KJV)