Shame -- How to Deal With It

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Cows don’t experience shame, but it is a universal phenomenon amongst humans. This is a complex issue because, in one sense, we live in a shameless society (shame before God), just as Isaiah lamented about. On the other hand, jettisoning God has left us with no sufficient way to deal with our internal shame, and the results are devastating.

The first mention of shame in the bible actually celebrates the absence of it: Adam and Eve were publicly naked and felt no shame (Genesis 2:25). Our final destination is a place where nothing shameful will ever enter, or be felt, having been cleansed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 21:27)
In between, shame is all around us, and in us. Shame, depending on how you define it, can be good, but it can also be a hope-killing horror.

Some make a distinction between guilt and shame. Guilt feelings are related to wrong things we have done. Shame is related to WHO WE ARE. The bible speaks of people who have seared consciences, who no longer feel pangs of guilt. These people are also known as sociopaths.

Standing before a group of mourners a mother said, “Shame killed my son, Sam. Shame kept him quiet, living in dark secrets with terrible regrets, surrounded by friends, but so very alone.” Her son had taken his own life after a protracted battle with addiction and shame.

The grieving mother continued, “Do not let shame win. The evil one has filled his quill with shame, disconnection, secrets, and sorrow and is writing his story of darkness. God’s story of light with redemption, hope, community, truth, and glory is written in His own blood.”

Destructive shame has become epidemic; part of everyone’s story to some extent. Shame manifests itself by isolation, self-protection, self-hatred, self-destruction, self-preservation, and the illusion of control. It follows us wherever we go, and it demands center stage attention.

Isolation. Despite Sam’s popularity, he created a world of isolation. Shame induces people to define themselves by their addictions. Followers of Christ are in union with Him, and Jesus is our final, all-sufficient identity, not whatever sins we may be struggling with.

Often shame based people will isolate themselves from healthy people, and are often drawn to other shame based people, where vulnerability is avoided and cynicism abounds.  For self-protection these relationships tend to be shallow, often fixating on entertainment or other numbing activities. Healthy relationships demand vulnerability, but the commitment to self-protection kills vulnerability.

Relationships can only grow if, over time, healthy risks are taken in being vulnerable.

Shamed people often live in ambiguity; having a sense of entitlement and a sense of worthlessness. They ask for relief but often sabotage it when it is offered. They fight with thoughts that they are disgusting people and it is only a matter of time before everyone finds out the sorry truth about themselves.

Satan accuses and causes us to hate our longings for connection and redemption and makes us hate hope.

Perhaps shame's most insidious trait is to cause people to embrace the lie, that at their core, they are defectively designed. Self-hate gives way to desperate and self-destructive behaviors because they think they are irredeemable. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between shame and participation in bullying, aggression, and suicide. For Sam, the destructive behavior was addiction. However, there are many other soul-numbing activities. It saddens me to know how common addiction to pornography is amongst God’s people, including a high percentage of bible-believing pastors. The shame felt by these folks must be horrendous. Worst of all, shame makes delighting in God impossible, unless it is dealt with.

Shame operates as both a filter and an amplifier. It filters out the dignity we have as image bearers of God, and it amplifies our shortcomings. Hence, many are unable to take healthy risks and they seek to numb their pain-filled souls. Life becomes all about mere survival. And it is impossible to be other-focused or God-focused when one is survival-focused. Anxiety and depression are sure to follow.

Shame invites a person to carry all the weight in a desperate attempt to keep control, but this shuts others and God out of the picture. Satan’s voice may lead to shame, but God’s tender grace will lead to true healing—from the inside out.

Some folks are prisoners to false shame. Cultural standards of beauty, wealth, status, etc have caused many wonderful people to hate themselves, which is tragic. Others have been abused or hurt in other ways by people they trusted, and this has led to self-disgust. Tragically, abuse-shame seems to open doors to the demonic.

The gospels are full of men and women who were imprisoned by shame but Jesus’ gentle touch and forgiveness gave them hope. He took our shame upon Himself, so that we might live, and live abundantly. Hanging completely naked on the cross, and taking our sin upon Himself, and the punishment for our sin, Jesus endured the shame for the joy that was set before Him.

Shame needs to be removed, not hidden or avoided. As Christians we can bring our shortcomings in the safety of God’s grace.

Cows may not feel shame but neither can they experience the beauty of Christ’s righteousness, which covers our guilt! No matter how shame-filled you may feel, flee to the open arms of a gentle Redeemer.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Deliverance SKYPE

By Pastor Stephen Piersall,
God’s Preservation Ministry

A fine blast from the past post that originally was posted on August 9, 2013.

The world of communication technology has exploded over the past decades. The late “Gene Roddenberry” was way ahead of his time when you reflect on the original “Star Trek” TV shows. They had cell phones, and the ability to see whom they were speaking to on a viewing screen. Jesus used long-distance communication when he healed the child of the “The Syrophoenician Woman” Mark 7:24-37. Think about other present days distant driven church communications opportunities; Pastors, church prayer teams, your own personal pray list, etc.

When we created our web page for God’s Preservation Ministry http://www.sfprs.org/, we did not envision it becoming global. We have now reached people in many other countries worldwide, helping with our same basic theme of; Salvation, Deliverance, Healing, Christian counseling. We cannot minister to everyone in their homes, so thanks to modern computer technology; we use SKYPE.

When we start a deliverance session, we already have received consent form and questionnaire information giving us their background to work with. We talk about the case, pray and sometimes fast, and we want to make this all about God and the client. NOTE: You want to see your client the best you can, and for everyone’s safety, we ask that someone be with them. Never look the client directly in the eyes! Any demonic presence can use their powers against you if you just stare into the client’s eyes. You want to have all five senses available to determine what is going on, etc. ALWAYS pray prior to doing the session on your own asking for protection. When everyone is on SKYPE and ready to start, begin and end the session in prayer.

Mark 5:9 Jesus asked the demon his name, “Legion; we are many." "Many", this is true for all demonic presence. The Deliverance session can be several hours, and even then; you may not have all the demons expelled. Billy and I like to compare it to an onion, as in removing layer after layer. Many times several sessions have to be done to get completion.

Manifestations are actually slight and barely noticeable: eye twitches, yawning, narrowing of the eyes, coughing, etc. Occasionally they are more melodramatic: crying, yelling, and doubling over in pain or, in some cases, the demon will want to lash out physically! Consequently, the need to have someone present with the client is for everyone’s concern and safety. Each case is always different from others but there are similarities. It is of the utmost benefit to be prepared for what might happen when the power of God encounters these demonic strongholds.

Touching on the subject of Cleansings/Blessings, PLEASE do NOT attempt to do these until the Deliverance is fully complete. It is okay to bind any demonic spirits, but if the person is not a Christian, you first need to offer the opportunity of salvation. If they are Christian, and have not renounced any Legal Rights with evil through repentance with God you will be going home and leaving the family in circumstances that are more dangerous. Matthew 12:43-45--43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."

One thing we do that other Deliverance Ministries do not do is following up with the client. Sure, some may call a week later and that is it. We go into much more detail, with Healing and Christian counseling. We want to see and hear proof that they are praying and reading their Bible every day and have connected with a church. With the local church, that pastor can assist them in their everyday lives.

If you follow the recommendations given, you walk in the freedom Jesus paid such a dear price for you to have. Think of this, if Jesus was willing to suffer on the level, he did; he must truly desire you to be healed and delivered. 1 Peter 2:24 and Galatians 3:13-14. Christ's coming is near. Let us make sure we are righteous and ready for his appearing.

What is God's Calling for You?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

In differing ways and varying degrees of intensity, we all have some interest in what the bible teaches about the paranormal. We come from all walks of life...different "callings". In fact, it is the notion of CALLING that I would like to examine together with you. As we shall see, this is a vital subject... but there is  quite a bit of confusion surrounding it. What piqued my interest recently was the flood of people who say they feel "called" to be demonologists/exorcists/deliverance (fill in the blank) And it got me thinking about what the bible says about CALLING.  I wanted to ask: what is God's calling for you?

The most important thing we can learn about "calling" is that the bible distinguishes between two types of calling--Primary calling and secondary callings. From my own informal observation, I do not think that many folks know the difference...only because they have not been taught.

There is a CALLING because there is a CALLER. This notion of CALLING is vacuous apart from God. Our callings are inextricably bound up with our Almighty Caller.

According to the bible CALLING, in its primary sense, is virtually synonymous with the word "salvation". Does that surprise you? It is this Primary sense of CALLING that we most urgently need to grasp. Here is just a sampling of dozens and dozens of verses which contain the word CALL in this Primary sense.

"...Including you who are CALLED to belong to Jesus Christ.To all those in Rome who are loved by God and CALLED to be saints."(Romans 1:6-7).

"God is faithful, by whom you were CALLED into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord....for consider your CALLING brothers: not many of you were wise..." (1 Corinthians 1:9,26).

Call, called, calling--if you check your concordance, you will see that dozens of times these words are used to show that we are identified as those whom "God has called." We have been called out of darkness...we have been called to an imperishable inheritance OR HOPE...we have been called into a personal relationship with the Living God. God has called us to live CORAM DEO...before the heart of God, moment by moment.

CALL come from the Greek "Kaleo" (to call..lol) The word "church", or ecclesia (called out ones) comes from this Greek root. Corporately and as individuals, we are identified as those whom God has called (inwardly). Do you see the centrality of this concept? Is it a vital part of your self-identity, self-image? It should be, and your life is impoverished to the extent that it is not.

So, our PRIMARY calling is not what we DO, rather we are called to Someone. The CALLER has called the called...The Caller has sovereignly called us to Himself.God has first called us into an intimate relationship with Him. "What is your calling?" When we hear that question asked, usually our first inclination is to discuss what vocation or work we believe God has "called" us to. But trouble can creep in if we don't have first things first. Do we find ourselves restlessly trying to make a mark on the world for the Lord...or to make our lives "count"? Our ultimate security and significance can only be found in God--in knowing that we have been CALLED by Him.Have we put the calling horse before the calling cart? If we do not CONSCIOUSLY place primary emphasis on the fact that God has called us into fellowship with Him, then our work will become idolatry. God is jealous for Him to be our first love.

In this primary sense, all of us have the same CALLING--to know and love God intimately.

I do no have time to discuss in detail the notion of effectual calling, which is when the outward call of the gospel is sovereignly internalized in our hearts and we hear the inner call by the power of the Holy Spirit. When people hear the outward call of the gospel, some are inwardly called at that moment through the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit. It is not my calling(!!) to emphasize my reformed distinctives, so I will leave it at that.

Think of the first and greatest commandment--"Make as big an impact on the world as possible", right? Wrong! The entire bible is summed up in these words--LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR BEING. God has never insisted that any of us will change the world, but He does insist that there be excellence in our relationships--first with Him, family, and others. Our primary calling is to love God as intimately as is possible this side of heaven. Is that your primary desire? Your dominant life value? It should be because it is your Primary CALLING!

Our calling is teleological in nature, in that there is a specific end to which we are called...we are being called HOME. The great goal the Holy Spirit is leading God's elect is heavenward to be in the presence of our Lord. But our calling is comprehensive--encompassing all aspects and stages of life. Note these texts show that our calling covers all the intermediate stages before our final destiny. It is a CALLING to--fellowship with Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9); inherit blessing (1 Peter 3:9); to  liberty (Galatians 5:13); to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15) to holiness (Thessalonians 4:7) TO ONE HOPE (Ephesians 4:4) to eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12); and to God's kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Do you see how utterly repugnant the notion of "trapped spirits" is to the grandeur of our calling heavenward? Encased within our very salvation is the calling and absolute certainty of our hope. We have been CALLED TO ONE HOPE (Ephesians 4:4..above) Our free-will ends at death. The notion of "turning down" one's call home is a slap in the face of our Almighty/tender Caller. No unfinished business...no suicide...no premature or traumatic death of any kind is beyond the pale of the Caller. Only in America, when our concept of God has become so anemic, could this monstrosity have taken root. The notion of ghosts flies in the face of God's CALL. Any Christian who has embraced this occultic superstition has turned CALLING on its head, and introduced a contradiction into the heart of their theological system. It causes spiritual instability...and exposes God's CALLED to demonic oppression.

"Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ...The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him...The one aim of the CALL of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him." Oswald Chamber. How can one ever do better than "My utmost for His highest"? It is such an easy trap to fall into (emphasizing fruitfulness), but our desire to bear fruit for God should flow out of our Primary calling of a childlike love for Him.

There is something wonderfully freeing and anxiety reducing about waking up in the morning and knowing that what counts most is WHOSE we are, and not WHO we are...that we are human beings and not human doings.....that intimacy with the Lord moment by moment is what we have been called to. My  friends, this can change your life! What a stress-buster, as well as bringing substantial healing to those who are obsessively driven to prove they are significant. We ARE loved..we ARE significant...we ARE secure (whether we feel it or not) because the Caller has called us!!

There is such an electrical charge about ministering in things supernatural. That is why I think it is particularly important for those called (in secondary sense, as we shall see) to help those struggling with demonic oppression, to make doubly sure they have first things first. I know from personal experience how exhilarating it is to SEE spiritual reality...to SEE shadow demons fleeing in the name of Jesus...to cleanse a house or person of a very powerful demonic stronghold. And while that can be quite a faith builder, it can also quietly become an end in itself...or losing sight of the primacy of loving God. An exorcist is the same as a banker or a homemaker when it comes to what their Primary calling is. Nobody needs to have this straight more than an exorcist, or anyone who deals with the spirit realm in ministry.

How many pastors and missionaries have sacrificed their children and their relationship with God, upon the altar of enlarging their sphere of influence? For some folks seminary turns into a spiritual cemetery...as fascination with knowledge about God slowly replaces personal knowledge OF God.

What of the other type of calling? Let me say that both Catholics and Protestants have consciously or unconsciously adopted a two-tier view of calling. Priests, pastors, missionaries are CALLED, but bankers, truckers, plumbers are ALLOWED to do what they do. The "full-time" ministry is a higher calling in many people's eyes. But remember, all Christians are FULLTIME witnesses for Christ.In addition, there is no sacred/secular division of labor. In God's eyes ALL lawful labor is sacred. It was Martin Luther who re-discovered this biblical truth--thus ennobling all work. If you wish to be an exorcist that is fine, but please do not do it because you think your work will be more significant than the carpentry work you do now.

How do we discover what God's secondary calling is? Find out what your motivated abilities are; things you are good at (not necessarily the best in the world), and they give you immense satisfaction. God has sovereingly wired you in such a way that certain activities really turn you on. I love to write, and writing my book was one of the most intense and protracted pleasurable experiences of my life. I believe God has called me to write, especially to expose Satan's lie re ghosts. All of our callings should bring us pleasure, but they should also benefit the Body, and primarily glorify God. In all things, let us live Coram Deo...before the heart of God.

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity.

Deliverance SKYPE

By Evangelist Stephen Piersall, God’s Preservation Ministry

The world of communication technology has exploded over the past decades. The late “Gene Roddenberry” was way ahead of his time when you reflect on the original “Star Trek” TV shows. They had cell phones, and the ability to see whom they were speaking to on a viewing screen. Jesus used long-distance communication when he healed the child of the “The Syrophoenician Woman” Mark 7:24-37. Think about other present days distant driven church communications opportunities; Pastors, church prayer teams, your own personal pray list, etc.

When we created our web page for God’s Preservation Ministry http://www.sfprs.org/, we did not envision it becoming global. We have now reached people in many other countries worldwide, helping with our same basic theme of; Salvation, Deliverance, Healing, Christian counseling. We cannot minister to everyone in their homes, so thanks to modern computer technology; we use SKYPE.

When we start a deliverance session, we already have received consent form and questionnaire information giving us their background to work with. We talk about the case, pray and sometimes fast, and we want to make this all about God and the client. NOTE: You want to see your client the best you can, and for everyone’s safety, we ask that someone be with them. Never look the client directly in the eyes! Any demonic presence can use their powers against you if you just stare into the client’s eyes. You want to have all five senses available to determine what is going on, etc. ALWAYS pray prior to doing the session on your own asking for protection. When everyone is on SKYPE and ready to start, begin and end the session in prayer.

Mark 5:9 Jesus asked the demon his name, “Legion; we are many." "Many", this is true for all demonic presence. The Deliverance session can be several hours, and even then; you may not have all the demons expelled. Billy and I like to compare it to an onion, as in removing layer after layer. Many times several sessions have to be done to get completion.

Manifestations are actually slight and barely noticeable: eye twitches, yawning, narrowing of the eyes, coughing, etc. Occasionally they are more melodramatic: crying, yelling, and doubling over in pain or, in some cases, the demon will want to lash out physically! Consequently, the need to have someone present with the client is for everyone’s concern and safety. Each case is always different from others but there are similarities. It is of the utmost benefit to be prepared for what might happen when the power of God encounters these demonic strongholds.

Touching on the subject of Cleansings/Blessings, PLEASE do NOT attempt to do these until the Deliverance is fully complete. It is okay to bind any demonic spirits, but if the person is not a Christian, you first need to offer the opportunity of salvation. If they are Christian, and have not renounced any Legal Rights with evil through repentance with God you will be going home and leaving the family in circumstances that are more dangerous. Matthew 12:43-45--43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."

One thing we do that other Deliverance Ministries do not do is following up with the client. Sure, some may call a week later and that is it. We go into much more detail, with Healing and Christian counseling. We want to see and hear proof that they are praying and reading their Bible every day and have connected with a church. With the local church, that pastor can assist them in their everyday lives.

If you follow the recommendations given, you walk in the freedom Jesus paid such a dear price for you to have. Think of this, if Jesus was willing to suffer on the level, he did; he must truly desire you to be healed and delivered. 1 Peter 2:24 and Galatians 3:13-14. Christ's coming is near. Let us make sure we are righteous and ready for his appearing.