"Shame and guilt are close companions but not identical. Shame is the more common and broader of the two. In Scripture you will find shame (nakedness, dishonor, disgrace, defilement) about ten times more often than you find guilt. Guilt lives in the courtroom where you stand alone before the judge. It says, "You are responsible for wrongdoing and legally answerable." "You are wrong." "You have sinned." The guilty person expects punishment and needs forgiveness. Shame lives in the community, though the community can feel like a courtroom. It says, "You don't belong – you are unacceptable, unclean, and disgraced" because "You are wrong, you have sinned" (guilt) or "Wrong has been done to you" or "You are associated with those who are disgraced or outcast." The shamed person feels worthless expects rejection, and needs cleansing, fellowship, love, and acceptance" (Shame Interrupted, pg. 11)
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