Naked And Not Ashamed: We've Been Afraid to Reveal What God Longs to Heal

by T.D. Jakes

With a powerful anointing, Bishop T.D. Jakes challenges us to go below the surface and become completely and honestly vulnerable before God and man. In relationships, in prayer, in ministry--we need to be willing to be open and transparent. Why do we fear? God already knows us, but He cannot heal our hidden hurts unless we expose them to Him. Only then can we be Naked and Not Ashamed!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Self Help, Religion, Spirituality, Amazon, Ebooks

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

Bishop T.D. Jakes is the author of the bestsellers God's Leading Lady; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; Maximize the Moment; The Great Investment; His Lady; Woman, Thou art Loosed (the film of which won the Best Film Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival) and He-Motions. His daily morning show The Potter's Touch and weekly broadcast The Potter's House air on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Black Entertainment Television, as well as in Europe and South America. Bishop Jakes is the founder and pastor of The Potter's House, one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation, where he leads an interracial congregation of more than 28,000 members. He lives in Dallas with his wife and five children.

Reviews

[James S.]

I have a question for the Bishop,

I've been to Viet-Nam, would you speak a word or preach a sermon on that stuggle in Viet-Nam? please.

I know this is not a popular topic, or maybe one that you have not researched, but it is important to me and many other veterans who follow your ministry.

Amazed by His Grace

James S. Chambers

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a critical thinker and take nothing as Gospel if it is the ideas of another. This work is a mix of remarkable insight into who we are and who God has made us to be, but it is also a work written or at least published in 1995, which of course, is over 20 years ago. I found a couple of particular viewpoints offensive and bigoted. I considered putting the book down after chapter 3, but pressed on and was incredibly enriched by Chapter 4 with speaking of my passions, in the need to identify them and not allow seeds of doubt to suppress the manifestation of those passions. As I read, my thoughts jump around to and fro, from enlightenment to annoyance. Granted, the annoyance lessens when I can grasp the deep meaning behind the words.
Understanding how much our thoughts control our actions is paramount to moving forward in Christ, and Bishop Jakes breaks down all the areas in which we need to pursue the value in what we think about and when. Friendship is critical to the Christian life, and again, he presents the ins and outs of relationships that we need in our lives and the work it takes to maintain them. He emphasizes the need for the negatives to reinforce the positives. I reread passages more in this section than any other. His emphasis on our cleansing by the blood of Christ is not only moving but convicting as it reveals our basic need for God. The absolute need for openness and honesty is critical to our relationship with God, and Bishop Jakes shakes the rafters in getting us to admit how much we try to keep from God. We need to learn to be open with God, strip away the clothes, jewels, and cosmetics, and reveal who we are on the inside, and stop trying to hide what God can see anyway. Being naked before God, giving him absolutely everything in us for Him to shape us into who we are meant to be, should be every Christian’s goal. It isn’t easy, but Bishop Jakes binds it all together by showing us that getting naked before God starts with us on our knees in prayer. Yes, this writing began with my critical assessment of a few sentences, but through the entire work, I am encouraged by what I need to do and what could be if everyone would be naked before God. After all, he already knows it, so why try to hide it from him.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd like this more than I did; mostly because I love to hear Jakes speak. Maybe he's a better speaker than writer. There were still plenty of challenges in this book.

[Erin Laramore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a LONG while to get into. I think that part of it was the timing of when I read it (in the midst of a pandemic) and part of it was that 90% of the scripture references were quoted in the King James version, (which I'm not as well acquainted with and had to therefore focus harder on the meaning behind the words), but also in part because until chapter 9 (of 11 total), I couldn't find a common theme between chapters and sometimes even within chapters. It felt a bit to me like a conglomeration of mini-sermons put together in a book. I'm still giving 3 stars because there were several statements in there that hit me between the eyes, but I'm giving it only 3 stars because it felt like a lot of work for me to get to those. While I'm not a fan of audio books, I think this one might be better as an audio book as long as the author was the narrator. I believe it would come out better as spoken word instead of written.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be truly ourself before God - be naked and not ashamed

The author has written a book that shakes us up and challenges our thinking. It dives into the unconventional and speaks frankly and openly on the basic problems of human that put up a facade in all their dealing. Using Jesus to illustrates the truth in displaying the true in Naked and Not ashamed, so that we can truly comes before the all knowing God in our prayer (and petition) to receive our needful answers/healing and restoration. This is definitely a book that we all can relates to.

[Nakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written for me! Selah
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent

Chapter 6 was a major eye opened for me! A must read...

"If you have been betrayed or wounded by someone you brought too close, please forgive them. They really were a blessing. You will onlu be better when you cease to be bitter."

[Sandra Menefee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and reminds us that we all should be naked and not ashamed of our trials and walk. It reminded me that your trials and your "baggage" is your testimony of how God has triumphed in your life and need not be hidden.

[Missbuckner]

I AM STILL READING.. LET YOU KNOW WHEN I AM DONE!

[Dianne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me that only thru "transparency" can true healing began.

[Shola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not need to hide the scars of our wound.They make us beautiful before the Lord

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a reminder for me that God already knows everything about me so why be ashamed about my issues and try to hide.

[Godfrey Lungu · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a nice book

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just What I Needed!

[Courtney(Bring on the Suspense) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had heard a lot of praise for T.D. Jakes, and he's part of a leadership lecture series my church has invited parishioners to attend, so finding this in the local Wal-Mart was a nice discovery. Mine is the updated version, but as far as I understand, there is nothing new save the cover.

As many have mentioned, Jakes writes with a style that is at times unnecessarily verbose; one that probably lends itself better to sermons than the page. Jarring metaphors and language that is almost comical in its intensity (kind of like those great Marvel comics written by Stan Lee) propel the reader along, but through it all, Jakes makes the case that God's grace is within our grasp if we only reveal all of our faults not only to ourselves but to God. The message gets a bit repetitive over the course of the book, but it's worth the revising, at least for me. Some chapters were more revealing and helpful than others, but in the end, I found I'd highlighted a great deal that I will return to read over the coming journey. In short, he does a great job of making me feel that I'm not alone in my fears and anxieties, and that there is much I need to learn and understand. I can't put a price on that kind of support and wisdom.

I bought this book because it was what I needed (dealing with fears and needing God's healing and grace), and it helped me find both, especially grace, a tricky concept for me, to be quite honest. I'm not sure I'd want to read more from him, but I found this book to be helpful for me on this path to my nascent Christianity.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me over three weeks to finish this e-book, even though it's not particularly long. That's because it was written in rather flamboyant and repetitive language, and read as if it were the transcript of a series of talks, rather than being intended for reading. The author is apparently a mega-church pastor and a prolific writer, but I'm not inspired to read anything else he has written.

Having said that, his main points are well-taken; that we need to let go of past hurts, and be ourselves before God and other people rather than putting on masks or trying to live up to other people's expectations. However he doesn't really explain how to go about this, and his use of metaphor becomes sometimes overdone, with some odd interpretations of Scripture in places.

I downloaded it free a few years ago, but it's quite expensive now for what it is. If you like a book that reads like someone talking, then there are some good points in it, but I wouldn't really recommend it.

[Abigail Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I've been wondering the entire time I was reading this why it wasn't titled Naked and Unashamed?? But I suppose that's just me being picky. :D But the book itself was great. Slightly basic in some of its concepts, however always a great reminder. The truths here were spoken firmly but still with great love. The last few chapters were my favorite. They were still basic in a sense, however, I think the truth found there we often know in our minds, but it never descends down into our hearts, and consequently, we don't live that truth. But Jakes talks about it with such love and passion and reaffirming it continuously with scripture, that it makes one have to truly think about it. Am I living that out? Or am I portraying some religious perfection that simply isn't true? Am I naked and unashamed? Am I willing to be honest with myself and those around me, despite what they may think of me? Great book.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this on my Kindle a LONG time ago when it was offered free. I'd always heard that T.D. Jakes is a proponent of prosperity gospel so I came to this book prepared to mostly disagree with it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't like that at all. In fact, I really enjoyed it. The main premise of the book is that we need to stop trying to create our own fig leaf garments that we think present us as well dressed, holy people. We may fool others, but we sure aren't fooling God!

[Denise Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encourages us to be transparent before God and peers instead of hiding behind other masks. Being completely honest with God. Letting your friends know your flaws and shortcomings in addition to your victories will assist others with receiving your testimony because you let them know that you’re just like them instead of someone they put on a pedestal-highlighting your wise choices with telling others the bad choices that led to wise choices

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s one of my favorite authors. His books are always compelling, relevant and meaningful. I could easily read anything that he’s ever written. There is a section in the book dedicated to friendships. Read this book just for that if for nothing else. It will completely alter your notion of what a true friend looks like. I highly recommend it.

[Susan Rickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pointed and revealing

I have read one other book by TD Jakes and he is encouraging. The whole chapter written on Christ washing disciples feet truly worth reading. Thank you for another good book with insight.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be open and minister others

The message quite simple here: be open and minister others before we could be glorified. The chapters here only the explanations of that message.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of this I enjoyed, parts I wasn't fussed on, and one chapter that made me angry because of the author's lack of compassion.

[PMM · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of the book that I did not understand his point. But there were parts that were very good and I understood what he was trying to get across.

[Don]

Bought March 24, 2023 from Mission Store, Newmarket

[Summer Vespestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the content but the narration was painfully slow and choppy.

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning, for the description of this book, we read the following:

Bishop T.D. Jakes brings encouragement that casts out the fear of vulnerability before God. When you can stand before God, unashamed, you can receive the healing He freely offers.

Ever since I began my journey to be a good Christian woman two years ago at the age of 69, I’ve accumulated a great deal of knowledge. Given this, I believe the essence of what Bishop is attempting to communicate to his readers apparently deals with us possessing an identity in Christ.

Everyone reading this book will unknowingly find that the person you change as you begin to possess a new identity in the eyes of the Lord. While your outward appearance will undergo no change whatsoever, who you are as an individual will. The transformation that will occur will be the identity you have in the eyes of the Lord, for it is part and parcel of your acceptance through the faith you possess of Him and His gift of eternal life. As Christians, we need always to remember that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, had given His life here on earth then rose from His tomb to overcome death and to bless all those who believe in His existence.

What happens the moment we become His advocates and devotees is that we immediately lose the identities we possess of this earthly world and have our identities in our Lord. The new identity we now possess is becoming a member of His body, the church, of which there’s nothing to be ashamed of, even if we’re naked.

We can find evidence of this when we read JOHN 1:11-13 [NKJV]:

[11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
[12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
[13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And since, as Christian, we are in the body of Christ, let us recall what is written in 1 CORINTHIANS 12:26-27 [NKJV]:

[26] And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

As you peruse the Bible, you will find more scriptures that deal with the identity we possess in Christ, for example:

ROMANS 6:6 [NLT] we read:
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”

And in 1 JOHN 3:1-2 [NLT], we have:

[1] See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
[2] Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

In possessing an identity in Christ, we’re quite aware of His desire to release us from everything we’re suffering from regardless of what it might be through His compassion, kindness, and the renewal of our souls, etc.

Through the pages of Bishop Jakes’ book, we’re taught about residing in the Lord’s arms as we place all of what is suffering from there. We’re taught how to shed the clutching control of disgrace and remorse burdening our existence by having our daily existence fraught with self-assurance in every area of our lives. For it is when we freely confess to the Lord our pains and disappointments that the Great Physician will place His healing presence on us.

For wanting his readers to free themselves from the abyss they’ve fallen into and live a life free of want, I’ve given Bishop Jakes the 5 STARS richly deserves.

[Joan R. Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hat is off to T.D. Jakes!

He has written such a fabulous book and then gave it to us free. I learned so much from his book. He brought things up that I have never considered. He made perfect sense out of it. I hope you will read it. It will open your eyes with new understanding.

[Andrea Binnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naked and Not Ashamed

This book addresses the issues of who we're and have become because of culture traditions and religious priorities comparing them to who we could be if our true selves were unveiled and laid bare exposed and challenged by who we really are

An excellent read
Not for everyone
But those who wish to be honest with themselves will find room for adjustment