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A Christian Reputation
Ephesians 5:3
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"
One of the wearisome things that Christians deal with is the stained reputations of those who have fallen into sin. Sin always affects more than the fallen. The effects of sin reach to people who had nothing to do with the sin. For example, years ago a well-known TV evangelist was caught mishandling money. He eventually went to prison for his crime, but every Christian who went soul winning had to answer questions about that man's actions.
God warns us in the verse above about having a good reputation. He commands that we should live in such a manner that wrong actions could "...not be once named among you, as becometh saints;" This reminds me of Daniel who lived in such a manner that the only way his enemies could accuse him was through his service to God. They sent people to spy on Daniel to see if they could find anything of which to accuse him, but his reputation was one that they could not accuse him of doing wrong. God shows us in this chapter how to live our life in such a manner that people can not accuse us doing something wrong.
First, God tells us that loving people will help you to avoid accusation. Though this is not the only way, this will certainly help. God commands us in verse 2 to "...walk in love..." When people know that you love them, then they are less likely going to accuse you of doing wrong. People who are hateful will watch everything you do so that they can find something of which to accuse you. Don't be a hateful person, but be a person who is known for loving people.
Second, having the right associations will help you avoid accusation. People are often accused because of their associations. Verse 11 commands us to "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,..." Christian, if you don't want people to accuse you of doing wrong, then don't associate yourself with those who live wrong. If you don't want to be guilty by association, then spend time with those who are known to have good reputations and not bad.
Third, using your time wisely will help you avoid accusation. God commands in verse 16 to redeem our time. God is teaching us that being known as a scheduled person will help you to avoid accusations. Those who live an unscheduled life are more open to accusation than those who are scheduled. This is because scheduled people are known to fill their time doing what is right. A scheduled person won't allow open time for the Devil to use.
Fourth, being filled with the Spirit will help you avoid accusation. Spirit-filled people will have a reputation of God working through them. When a person is Spirit filled, you would not imagine them doing wrong, for the works the Spirit do not lean towards loose living. For instance, if I told you that one of the apostles had an adulterous affair you would not believe me. Why? Because they were filled with the Spirit, and their works testified differently. When you are filled with the Spirit, your works will testify of God's works, and not loose living.
Christian, having a good reputation is of utmost importance. Guard your reputation and live in such a manner that people would not feel that they could get away with accusing you of loose living. Though you live in a world where false accusations are prevalent, you can certainly live your life above board so that it would seem hard to accuse you of such horrible acts.
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