Study 6: Shame & Bodies/Dress

(Shame & Sex, Part II)

Shame and Our Bodies

1. How is our body directly linked to our sexuality?
2. Why do we experience shame about our bodies?
3. Are you believing lies about your body?
4. How do we break out of binding misplaced shame in regards to our bodies?


Shame and Dress

1. How is dress directly linked to our sexuality?
2. Have you ever experienced shame/shamelessness in regards to your dress?
3. How do we break out of the binding misplaced shame in regards to dress?
4. What can we find in the Word that can guide us in dress?



Verses:

“27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” (1 Timothy 4:4)

Body is a temple of the Holy Spirit --- “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

“10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139:13-15)

“3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)

“23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

“30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

“3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

"10 I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

"1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)


Discussion:

• Sexuality --- broken down to identity and relationship -- both are physical
• Sexuality is a state of being; is it distinct for bodies, though? Jesus had sexuality. But, do our souls have sexuality?
• Bodies are linked in terms of other people & our relationships
• Our body is as connected to God as our mind, spirit, etc.
• Shame considers who I am, not what I have done -- a body is a part of who we are, and outside of our control
• Bodies can be ridiculous -- they smell, the get tired and ache, they don't function properly
• Well-placed shame keeps our clothes on --- covering was instituted by God after the Fall
• Modesty aspect to covering
• Bodies seem to be the most basic manifestation of self
• Being naked is at a most vulnerable state; the only way to hide the body is to be clothed
• Shame is used to hide oneself
• Misplaced shame can be media-driven in our culture
• Also, shame surrounds things that don't "work correctly"
• It is a lie that if we are a perfect steward then our body will be perfect; it is *only* by the grace of God that anything good comes
• Break out of misplaced shame by telling people
• Transformed minds (Romans 12:1-2) --- including self-talk and ingesting good "food"
• "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
  
• Praise/thanksgiving -- it's hard to feel shame when you're grateful
• Disciple with balance/freedom ... all under Grace!
• Get outside yourself and look to Christ (Hebrews 12:2)
  
• Be aware of what you struggle with and don't feel foolish