God Redeems Us: Overcoming Shame

The devil will constantly attempt to keep us ashamed when we become aware of our wrongdoings. While sin can appear alluring, it ultimately leaves us feeling shattered and humiliated. But God redeems us, even in our lowest moments. When the Lord encountered the woman caught in adultery, the Bible doesn’t provide details about her motivations. We don’t know the specific circumstances that led her to commit such an act, nor do we understand how her past experiences influenced her actions and decisions. There may have been emotional or psychological factors at play, leaving her feeling unvalued or unloved. Despite this lack of detail, we see that God knew enough to defend this woman from her accusers and liberate her from her shame.

The God who sees and knows all is never afraid to redeem us from our sins. He understands our stories completely, and that alone should bring us joy. The shame we experience when we sin often thrives because we focus more on the fear of judgment from others than on God’s redemption. The story of the woman caught in adultery teaches us five important lessons about how God redeems us from our sins:

5 Lessons on God’s Grace

1. God will always address our accusers by revealing that they are no different from us.

2. God’s grace and mercy cover us when we fail to uphold His laws. (Romans 6:14, Proverbs 28:13)

3. God is the solution for our sins. His presence will always leave us feeling whole rather than feeling condemned.

4. God’s confrontation is meant to empower us to change, not to make us feel rejected. His forgiveness is freeing. (Hebrews 12:5–6, 2 Peter 1:3)

5. Once God forgives us, we must make a genuine (and continuous) effort to move forward and stop sinning. (John 8:11)

If you are battling feelings of shame and condemnation, be encouraged—you are not alone in this struggle. I am a witness that God can and will redeem you. No matter where you find yourself, know you aren’t far gone or beyond his reach. In fact, God is already working on your behalf, preparing a path for healing. As you partner with him, He will give you the desire to change and grow (Philippians 2:13).

Today’s devotion inspired by // John 8:4-11 NLT

Reflect & Journal // Read the verse for today, and place yourself in the story of the woman caught in adultery. Imagine how you’d feel after being caught, and list 2-3 emotions to describe this. Now, read verses 6-11, and imagine how you’d feel hearing that Jesus does not condemn you. How does this shift how you see yourself in light of your mistakes?