Retrain your brain

The concepts of honor and shame are important in God’s law. Anyone who dishonored his parents was to be put to death (Lev 20:9). The purpose of the whole law was to prevent behavior that would bring shame to God’s holy name (Lev 22:31). The sense of honor and shame are instinctive. It is the law written on our hearts (Rom 2:14-16). Though we have corrupted this sense through years of justification, rationalization and “group think,” the conscience is still a good tool to warn of shameful behavior and affirm honorable behavior. We must “retrain” our instinct through Scripture and discipline if we desire the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11).