How the Enemy Traps Us in Shame

She believed the lie, now she bears the shame.
But even here, Jesus is waiting!

Something happened today that is affecting my life right now, but while reflecting on that in prayer, I recalled a while back I was watching one of those news stories about a celebrity who looked like they had it all. Big house, big name, tons of money, a happy life, lots of followers. But behind the scenes, it turned out they were really struggling. Addictions. Lies. Broken relationships. All the stuff they were hiding finally came out. And what stuck with me was something they said after going through rehab: “I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.”

I think most of us know that feeling, even if our story looks different.

That’s how the evil one works. He doesn’t show up in a red suit with a pitchfork. He comes in quiet. He makes sin look fun. He tells you, “It’s not a big deal. Everybody’s doing it. It’ll make you feel better.” And for a moment, maybe it even does.

But then the voice changes.

Right after you give in, he turns on you. “You’re disgusting.” “God doesn’t want you.” “Don’t even bother going to church.” “You’re alone now.”

Temptation makes promises. But shame always shows up after.

This isn’t new. It’s been this way since the beginning. In Genesis, the serpent tells Eve, “You certainly will not die!” (Genesis 3:4, NABRE) He twists the truth just enough to make it sound good. But once they eat the fruit, Adam says, “I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.” (Genesis 3:10, NABRE)

That’s what sin does. It isolates. It brings fear and shame. That’s exactly what the evil one wants.

It’s like fishing. You don’t catch anything with an empty hook. You use bait. Something shiny. Something tasty. But that hook is still under there, ready to sink in and drag you under.

I’ve seen this same pattern over and over. Someone tells a lie and thinks they got away with something. But then the truth comes out, and now they feel exposed and ashamed. You see it all the time in Hollywood or the music industry or even in your own back yard. Lust, drugs, pride. They tear people up. Stars try to keep it together on the outside, but you can tell they’re hurting. It’s not until they go through real healing that they finally start to get their life back.

And I think that’s when the voice of God finally cuts through.

God doesn’t shame you. God doesn’t accuse you. That’s not how He works. He doesn’t make you feel sick in your soul. He doesn’t say, “You blew it, I’m done with you.” His voice is gentler. Steadier. Full of mercy.

Jesus says, “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NABRE)

The enemy wants to destroy you. Jesus wants to bring you back to life.

For me, that’s what the Sacrament of Reconciliation has been. Not a list of sins. Not a moment of guilt. But a place where I hear the real voice. The voice that says, “You are not alone. I love you. Come home.”

I’ve walked into confession before feeling beat up, weighed down, like a total failure. But I’ve never walked out feeling that way. I walk out lighter. Forgiven. Redeemed. Free. Not because of anything I did, but because Jesus meets me there. He doesn’t point a finger. He opens His arms.

Revelation calls the devil “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10, NABRE). That’s exactly what he does. He builds you up with lies, then tears you down with shame. He plays both parts. He sets the trap, then mocks you for falling in it.

But Romans reminds us, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, NABRE)

So why do we fall for it? Why does sin still draw us in?

Honestly? Because it feels good in the moment. That’s the truth. Sin can look fun. It can even feel like relief. But that feeling doesn’t last. It fades. And what’s left is the mess. The regret. The shame. The silence.

The enemy knows how to twist things just enough to make them sound true. He’ll manipulate your mind and your heart just to get what he wants. He wants distance between you and God. That’s the goal. He wants you too embarrassed or too scared to go back.

But God doesn’t twist. He doesn’t trick. He invites.

He says, “Come back to Me.”

That’s what the story of the Prodigal Son is all about. The son didn’t get cleaned up first. He didn’t make a grand speech. He just started walking home. And while he was still a long way off, “his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NABRE)

That’s what God does for you.

So if you’ve been hearing that accusing voice lately, the one that says you’re too far gone or that God doesn’t want anything to do with you, I just want to tell you that voice is a lie.

That voice is not from God.

God’s voice says, “You’re mine.”
God’s voice says, “Let Me help you.”
God’s voice says, “Come back.”

You don’t have to fix everything first. You don’t have to have the right words. You don’t even have to know how to begin. Just take the first step.

Jesus will meet you there.

He always does.

You are not alone. You never were.

He’s still calling your name.