Shame is easily confused with guilt, which is directly related to a specific wrong or sin you’ve committed. Guilt is a feeling of responsibility or remorse (regret) that moves you toward God, compelling you to repent (confess and turn from your sin).

But shame is a more profound, painful feeling about yourself because of your sinful actions or someone else’s sinful actions toward you (typically abuse). With guilt, you feel bad about what you did, but with shame, you feel bad about yourself or who you are. This tends to pull you away from God rather than propelling you toward Him.