Send Me Questions on Attachment

What's the difference between shame, guilt, and conviction in the Christian life? This question haunts many believers who struggle to navigate these complex emotions in their spiritual journey.
Jason Glenn returns to unpack these crucial distinctions, revealing that the popular modern psychological framing of these terms often misaligns with biblical understanding. While contemporary culture frequently treats shame as an inherent negative to be eliminated, Scripture presents a more nuanced perspective where shame can serve redemptive purposes.
Our conversation explores biblical guilt as primarily a judicial status rather than an emotion—it's about causality and responsibility before God. Conviction emerges as the Holy Spirit's illuminating work, exposing our hearts and guiding us toward repentance. Shame, meanwhile, addresses our failures in relationship to our identity and community expectations.
We tackle difficult questions about debilitating shame versus healthy contrition. When Christians remain stuck in shame cycles, the problem often isn't shame itself but underlying pride, fear, or the strange comfort found in familiar self-condemnation. The gospel offers freedom from these patterns, though embracing this freedom requires significant faith and courage.
The discussion turns to Jesus' own use of corrective shame in the story of Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman. While affirming the contrite woman's response to her shame—which brought forgiveness—Jesus exposed Simon's pride through a form of redemptive shame that invited self-reflection.
Whether you've struggled with persistent shame, confused conviction with guilt, or wondered how these emotions fit into your spiritual growth, this episode offers biblical clarity and practical wisdom for your journey toward wholeness in Christ. As Jason reminds us, "We should be more focused on the feeling of shame and less focused on shaming people."

Support the show

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:
@godattachmenthealing
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK:
God Attachment Healing
ABOUT ME 👇
My mission is to help you understand your attachment style to learn how you can heal from the pain you’ve experienced in your relationship with God, the church and yourself.
I look forward to walking alongside you as you draw closer to Christ!