This would make a strong newsletter because it connects Genesis, shame, identity, and restoration in Christ.

Why Do We Hide?

“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25)

One of the most striking changes in Scripture occurs immediately after the fall.

Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed.

After sin entered, they were still naked.

Nothing had changed outwardly.

Everything had changed inwardly.

The moment they sinned, they became aware of their nakedness. They sewed fig leaves together and hid among the trees of the garden.

Why?

Because they suddenly saw themselves differently.

They knew something was wrong.

They knew they were no longer what they had been.

The first result of sin was not violence, murder, or corruption. The first result was shame.

Adam later tells God:

“I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)

Notice the progression:

Nakedness.

Fear.

Hiding.

This pattern has followed humanity ever since.

We all hide.

We hide behind accomplishments.

We hide behind knowledge.

We hide behind our jobs.

We hide behind ministry.

We hide behind humor.

We hide behind religion.

We hide behind carefully constructed images of ourselves.

Why?

Because deep within us is the fear that if people saw who we really are, they might reject us.

Sin continually diminishes us.

It promises freedom but produces bondage.

It promises life but produces death.

It promises fulfillment but leaves us empty.

Every day that sin shapes our thoughts, desires, and actions, it pulls us farther away from the person God created us to be.

Like Adam, we become aware of what has been lost.

And like Adam, we try to cover it.

Yet there is an interesting theme that runs throughout the Bible.

Clothing.

Clothing tells a story.

A king wears royal robes.

A priest wears priestly garments.

A soldier wears armor.

A bride wears wedding garments.

Often, what a person wears reveals something about who they are and the role they occupy.

Scripture uses this same imagery spiritually.

After Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves, God provided garments for them.

Man’s covering was insufficient.

God’s covering was necessary.

Throughout the Bible, God continues this theme.

Isaiah speaks of the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness.

Joshua the high priest has his filthy garments removed and is clothed with clean garments.

The prodigal son receives the best robe from his father.

Paul tells believers to put on the new man and to put on Christ.

The clothing represents something deeper than appearance.

It represents identity.

It represents restoration.

It represents becoming once again what God intended.

Perhaps this is why so much of Scripture focuses on putting off the old and putting on the new.

God is not merely interested in covering our failures.

He is restoring what sin has diminished.

He is rebuilding what has been damaged.

He is reforming us into the image of Christ.

The story of the Bible begins with humanity hiding among the trees because of shame.

It ends with redeemed people standing openly before God, clothed in garments He Himself has provided.

No fear.

No hiding.

No shame.

Only restoration.

Reflection Question:

What coverings do you use to hide what you do not want others to see?

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You do not leave us hiding among the trees. Thank You that through Christ You provide what we could never provide for ourselves. Continue Your work of restoring, rebuilding, and reforming us into the people You created us to be. Amen.