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in, continued in long enough, will destroy your good name. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). Solomon was not just speaking of the name by which one happens to be called, but the reputation that people associate with that name. What parents for example would name their son Lucifer, Judas, or Adolph? What parents would name their daughter Jezebel? These names have long been ruined because of the sinful reputations so closely associated with them.

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ne cannot scripturally be an elder without a good reputation (1 Tim. 3:7). We who are not elders cannot hope to influence the lost for good if we do not strive to maintain a good reputation. Peter writes,

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God” (1 Peter 2:11-16).

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in, given enough time, will destroy your character. This, again, is because it transmits its own character to those who practice sin. It has been said that your reputation is what people think about you, but your character is what God knows about you. Jesus, in the beatitudes, describes the character that saints are to maintain, even in the face of adversity. We are to be “poor in spirit,” mournful, “meek,” hungry and thirsty “for righteousness,” “merciful,” “pure in heart,” “peacemakers” and “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:1-16). Peter writes,

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rest upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:14-16).

ertain sins will destroy your body. Sexual promiscuity and drug abuse can result in AIDS or VD (of course, health care workers and recipients of blood transfusions are also at risk). Alcohol consumption can lead to liver and brain diseases. Tobacco use can cause lung disease and various forms of cancer; even smokeless tobacco can lead to mouth and throat cancer.

hile we certainly cannot prevent all ailments, we can minimize the risk of some diseases by avoiding risky behavior. The apostle Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1,2; see also 2 Cor. 7:1). Paul tells us that some risky behavior is also sinful and will keep us out of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10,18-21).

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in, if continued in, will destroy the effectiveness of your prayers. As the Messianic Prophet wrote to the people of Judah, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But…your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isa. 59:1,2; see also 1 Peter 3:7).

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in will destroy your emotional stability. David prayed, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:7-12; see also Psalm 32:1-4).

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abitual sin will destroy your financial stability. The sin of wasteful living so completely devoured the prodigal son’s possessions that he took a job feeding pigs, indicating a total loss of dignity as well (Luke 15:13,14). The sin of gambling in particular has drained many bank accounts and shattered many families (1 Timothy 6:10).

he ultimate destruction, of course, is “the everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:9). &

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

Bob Myhan

hat is a Christian? How can one know that he is a Christian? How does one become a Christian? We will consider, in a series of articles, the three passages where the word is used.

uke says, “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). A disciple is a learner and a follower. More specifically, it is one who learns for the purpose of following.

esus stressed the importance of learning when He said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44,45).

e also said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

eter also emphasized the importance of learning. “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2,3).

esus and Peter also stressed the necessity of being a follower. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:38); ”For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

ne is not a follower if he does not put into practice his teacher’s principles. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). &