Daily Devotions
What a Single Sin Can Do to a Good Name
Title: What a Single Sin Can Do to a Good Name
Reading for April 28: 1 Chronicles 1-2
The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing.
1 Chronicles 2:7
We all want to have a good name. A good name is desired more than great riches (Prov 22:1). There are some good names in these two chapters: Seth (1:1), Noah (1:4), Abraham (1:28), and Israel (2:1). These men left this world with a good name.
But Achan did not have a good name. He was remembered as a troubler. He brought trouble to his family, both his immediate family who died with him for his sin and to the Israelite family who suffered defeat at Ai. That's how he was remembered. His name was ruined because of a single sin.
Has your name been ruined by a single sin? I'm not telling you this to pour salt into an open wound. God is also gracious and we can be forgiven of the sins we commit. Despite what has happened to your name on earth, your name can still be in the book of life in heaven.
But this is a warning. A single sin can forever ruin a good name. Think about that as you go about your day. A moment of pleasure or revenge or carelessness or just plain weakness can follow you the rest of your life. Make wise choices and be careful about the decisions you make today.
Father, thank you for this reminder in your Word of the seriousness of sin.
