A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverb 22:1
When we use that term, ”a good name,” we are thinking of a good reputation. Just as when you think of someone’s name, and you have a positive or negative reaction. The same thing happens when someone thinks of your name their thoughts are either positive or negative about you and your family.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.Sometimes a person’s name can be ruined by influential enemies, but most of the time it is ruined by his conduct and lack of integrity.
People can not only spoil their family name or father’s name, but they can also bring reproach on the name of Christ.
Psalm 1:1 Gives us some insight on how to avoid this trap.
David says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” We are not to take counsel or advice from the ungodly. Who are you letting advise you and your actions? Everything we allow in our minds through our eyes and ears is giving us counsel. He goes on to say, “nor standeth in the way of sinners.” Do you try to fit in with the way of the world? James tell us in James 4:4 that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Are you standing in the way of the sinner? Then, David says, ” nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” This one probably gets more Christians than the other two because it is so subtle. Do you complain? Do you grumble? Do you murmur? How much does it take to get you to blow your top? Do you realize that you are missing out on a promise that God gave us. He said if we would follow this patter set forth in Psalm 1:1 that whatsoever we doeth we would prosper. Why would we want to miss out on that blessing over something trivial? Why would we want to spoil our good name? And more importantly, why would we want to bring reproach on the name of Christ?
