In I Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes, ” … God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
Paul uses the word “shame” twice in this verse, both times talking about the embarrassment and humiliation that will come to those who are impressed with themselves.
In the fourth chapter, Paul turns his warnings about pretension directly at the Corinthians.
In verses 8-13, where he mocks the arrogance of the Corinthians, he concludes his sarcastic rebuke by saying, “I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children” (verse 14).
He doesn’t want to shame them, but he is warning them about looming dishonor if they do not reflect on his admonitions.
In Ephesians 5:12, Paul encourages the church at Ephesus to avoid bringing shame on themselves by talking about what ungodly people do. He said, “It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.” Here, Paul is encouraging the church to constrain its own speech in order to be honorable.
I think this is exactly where we are in the American church.
We have transitioned from being the body of gratefully redeemed believers encouraging honor and life in Christ, into being the self-righteous group that scrutinizes, criticizes, whines and complains about “those sinners.”
I am convinced that under the guise of hating sin, some have inadvertently switched from being ministers of reconciliation and hope in Christ to being advocates of holding people accountable for their sin.
I know it sounds good, but that might leave us as enemies of the Gospel in others and leave us positioned in Satan’s role … accusing the brethren.
We must be careful not to become the enemies of Christ’s work in the lives of others, because he does know how to shame his enemies.