THE VALUE OF SHAME

INTRODUCTION-- In the days of the decline of Israel, Jeremiah said they had no shame.

1. They could not blush. Jeremiah 6:15
   
2. The prevalence of evil caused this condition.
   
   1. Evil works. 4:3-4, 5:7-9, 26-29
      
   2. Leaving justice and truth. 5:1-3
      
   3. They loved to be deceived. 5:30-31
      

LESSON-- As a protective measure, we need to develop a sense of shame.

1. Certain things we should NOT be ashamed of.
   
   1. Of the Gospel. Romans 1:16-17
      
   2. Of the words of Christ. Mark 8:38
      
   3. Of suffering as a Christian. 1 Peter 4:14-16
      
   4. Of being a competent workman for Christ. 2 Timothy 2:15
      
2. There are many things of which we SHOULD be ashamed.
   
   1. The Old Testament warns of many such things. (Use a Concordance!)
      
   2. The New Testament also gives us knowledge of shameful things.
      
      1. Of past sins. Romans 6:19-23
         
      2. Of failing to settle disputes among us in wisdom. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
         
      3. Of speaking of evils done in secret. Ephesians 5:3-12
         
3. One thing captivates many Christians of which we should be ashamed--NAKEDNESS.
   
   1. This subject deserves to be discussed Scripturally, not based on someone's opinion.
      
   2. Nakedness in the Bible was not always nudity (though still regarded as shameful).
      
      1. The context might express nudity. Hosea 2:2-5
         
      2. Exposure of covered parts was shameful. Nahum 3:5
         
      3. A lack of sufficient clothing. James 2:15
         
      4. Partially clothed. John 21:7
         
   3. The shame of nakedness is expressed in many places in the Bible. Genesis 3:6-11, 21; 9:20-23; Exodus 20:25-26; Revelation 3:17-18, 16:15
      
4. These biblical definitions should help us to understand 1 Timothy 2:9-10
   
   1. Words need definitions here.
      
      1. MODEST-- Orderly (` ), as in 3:2 (Good behavior).
         
      2. SHAMEFASTNESS-- (s) "A sense of shame, modesty...It is that modesty that is fast or rooted in the character."
         
      3. SOBRIETY-- "Habitual self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires."
         
   2. Women are warned more in recognition that they are the objects of the stronger desires found in men, and are influenced more by the appeals of fashion (designed mostly by men), but they need to cultivate the appeal of 1 Peter 3:1-6.
      
   3. Men can also be the subjects of evil desire. See Exodus 20:25-26, 28:40-43; Rom.1:26-27, and note that the audience at the altar was mostly male, Deut. 16:16.
      
5. We should recognize the evil effect of "LASCIVIOUSNESS." (defined--"That which tends to produce unlawful desire.")
   
   1. New Testament warnings. Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:17-19
      
   2. Advertisements, movies, music, dancing, filthy talk, pornography all tend toward this.
      

APPLICATION-- We cannot justify indecent dress by...

1. Worldly standards. Romans 12:1-2
   
2. Peer pressure. 1 Corinthians 15:33
   
3. Ignorance (either of the Word, or the nature of the sin). Compare 1 John 2:1ff