Like many Christ-followers, I am often assaulted with self-recriminating thoughts. I was discussing this with a very wise friend who said, "Don't do the devil's work for him!" How profound. I don't think I've ever stopped to think that when I engage in such thinking, I'm actually in allegiance with the evil one.
Why do we beat ourselves up? Do we think this is a virtue? Do we think we're assisting the Holy Spirit who is able to "convict" us of sin? Do we imagine that mental self- flagellation will motivate us to do better?
In essence, when we do such a thing, we're shaming ourselves. Have you found shame to be a good motivator? It's effective, but it's not ideal. You can use shame to make a child comply with your wishes, but such compliance becomes perfunctory and it leads to resentment.
God has a better plan. Rather than whipping us into submission with threats and using shame to motivate us, He lovingly captures our hearts. John the Apostle tells us, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3)
When we love God, we want to obey Him and His commands are not a burden to us. An obedience deficiency is cured by a love sufficiency. As we grow in understanding God's gracious and loving heart, we see how un-shaming He is. If He doesn't shame us, then why do we shame ourselves and why should we listen to the shaming of our Arch nemesis?