“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.”
Jonathan Edwards
There are primarily two voices we can choose to listen to: the voice of grace or the voice of shame. Whichever voice you believe will have a direct effect on your life. Satan is the source of the voice of shame, while God is the one who speaks to us with the voice of grace.
Shame puts us down and attacks our character, the core of our being. Shame whispers: “You’re not enough. You can’t do anything right. You’re a failure. You are unacceptable. You must try harder and prove your worth.”
If we listen to the voice of shame, we will feel condemned and insecure. We will hide our true selves, wear masks, and be shy. Shame sets us up to perform, to earn our approval and acceptance, and to prove our worth, which puffs us up in pride. Listening and believing in thoughts of shame will isolate us as we think we’re different and don’t fit in, which causes us to experience loneliness.
The voice of grace says: “You are unconditionally loved. You’re accepted just as you are. You are mine.”
When we listen to and believe God’s voice, we will feel confident and walk in boldness. Our security and worthiness will be established in what God has done for us. Living from the voice of grace releases authenticity and the freedom to be who God created us to be. This leads us to become vulnerable and humble. The result is being intimate with God and knowing we belong.
Shame and grace are two opposing voices that we hear in our thoughts and in the quiet whispers within our hearts. Jesus warns us in John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Depending on which voice you decide to listen to the most, you will either experience an abundant life or one that is bent on destroying you. Choose this day to listen to God’s voice of grace.
“Given an opportunity, shame will mask itself as your best friend, and it will convince you that it is there to help you.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Relevant Reflections:
Which voice do you spend the most time listening to – the voice of shame or grace?
What have been some of the effects in your life from listening to and believing that voice?
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