“Naked and Unashamed”

“And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” — Genesis 2:25

I was recently struck by this verse in a new light. Often, I’ve read it thinking mainly about Adam and Eve’s physical nakedness. And while I’m sure that was true, I can’t help but think this also points to emotional nakedness.

Adam and Eve did not yet know sin. There were no regrets, no mistakes, and nothing to hide from one another. Can you imagine what that must have brought into their relationship as husband and wife? They could speak openly and honestly about what they were feeling and thinking. There was no fear of rejection or fear of what the other might think of them.

Communication between husband and wife was most likely perfect. But I also imagine their relationship with God was completely open and real. There was no hiding from Him. They walked with God freely. Sin had not yet entered the equation of relationships.

They were naked before God and one another, and there was no shame.

Then came the serpent. The deception. The eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then sin entered the world.

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings… He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’” — Genesis 3:7,10

Sin and shame entered the world, and we have been hiding ever since. We hide from God, and we hide from one another. The sad thing is that this is not the way God intended it to be.

Our relationship with God and with our spouse was meant to be open, real, and genuine. Deep inside, I believe we still long for that kind of intimacy — the ability to be fully known and emotionally naked without fear. But fear causes us to hide.

We withhold our deepest thoughts, fears, struggles, and dreams from one another. I wonder what would happen in our marriages if we learned how to truly live in that kind of openness?

Over the years, I’ve learned that I don’t need to hide from my husband. I’ve learned to trust him with my deepest fears, thoughts, and emotions. But honestly, there are still times when it’s hard.

I’ve also found it interesting that the deeper I grow in trusting God and His unconditional love, the easier it becomes to live openly. I surely still have a long way to go, but it’s been beautiful to think about what it might look like to be truly naked before God and our spouse — and not be ashamed.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Do you think it’s possible to reach that place of being fully known and unashamed?

What about in your marriage? Are you able to be emotionally vulnerable with your spouse? If not, have you ever wondered why?