Shame, Pride, and the Deprivation of Love

In a world searching for identity, many find themselves caught between two extremes: shame and pride. These are not mere emotions but deep-seated responses to a fundamental deprivation of Agape, the unconditional, life-giving love of God. On one end, shame convinces people they are unworthy and broken beyond repair. On the other, pride masquerades as empowerment, urging people to claim their woundedness as their identity. The LGBT movement, at its core, operates on this extreme end of pride—reacting against shame, yet unknowingly reinforcing the very deprivation that caused it.

Shame: The Lie That We Are Unworthy

Shame is a powerful force. It tells a person that they are flawed at their very core, unworthy of love and acceptance. Many who struggle with their identity—especially in areas of sexuality—have experienced deep wounds, often from childhood. Rejection, abandonment, abuse, or the absence of affirmation can leave a person with a distorted self-image, believing that they are "less than" or "different" in a way that makes them unlovable.

The world often reinforces this shame. Society, family, or religious communities—sometimes well-meaning—can unknowingly deepen the wound by shaming individuals rather than leading them to healing. In this painful void, the enemy of souls, the father of lies, whispers: "You are not enough. You are not loved. You will never belong."

Many people who experience same-sex attraction or gender confusion have, at some point, felt this shame deeply. They have heard the accusations, internalized the rejection, and believed that there is no place for them in God’s love.

Pride: The False Liberation That Enslaves

When the burden of shame becomes unbearable, the enemy offers another lie: "You don’t need healing; you need affirmation." The pendulum swings from self-rejection to self-exaltation—a distorted form of pride that says, "This is who I am, and I will not change. In fact, I will celebrate it."

Pride is not merely confidence or self-acceptance—it is a defensive reaction against shame. Instead of finding healing in God’s love, many embrace pride as a shield, protecting themselves from further rejection. The LGBT movement has capitalized on this reaction, turning the deeply personal experience of woundedness into a collective identity, one that demands not only acceptance but affirmation and celebration.

Society has legislated and institutionalized this deception, making sure that those who struggle with their identity are locked into their condition rather than given access to true healing. Governments, corporations, and media giants reinforce this lie, ensuring that anyone who questions it is silenced or punished. This is not true freedom—it is captivity disguised as liberation.

The Middle Path: Encountering the Love That Heals

The truth is neither in shame nor in pride. The answer is not to reject oneself in shame, nor to exalt oneself in pride, but to encounter the transforming love of Christ.

Christ does not shame us for our wounds, nor does He affirm them as our identity. Instead, He meets us where we are and calls us to healing. He looks at each of us with infinite love and says:

"You are mine. I know your pain. I see your wounds. I love you as you are, but I will not leave you in your brokenness. I have more for you. I desire to restore you, to make you whole, to bring you into the fullness of life."

This is the middle path—the way of truth and love. It is the path of every sinner who has ever encountered Jesus and walked away changed. It is the path of St. Mary Magdalene, of St. Augustine, of countless souls who have struggled with their identity, their desires, and their wounds, but who found freedom in surrendering to Christ’s love rather than fighting for the world’s affirmation.

A Call to True Freedom

The enemy has worked tirelessly to hijack human identity, particularly in the realm of sexuality, because he knows it is deeply tied to God’s design for mankind. He knows that if he can convince people that their wounds are their identity, they will never seek healing.

But Christ came that we may have life, and life in abundance (John 10:10). True freedom is not found in embracing wounds as an identity, nor in being crushed under shame. It is found in stepping into the love of Christ, allowing Him to heal and restore, and discovering our true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God.

Let us, as a Church, be a place where people can encounter the love of Christ without fear of rejection, but also without the deception of false affirmation. Let us be the voice that says:

"You are loved. You are called. You are made for more. Let Christ make you whole."

This is the true message of freedom. This is the path of Agape.