Daily Devotions

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

There are some good names in these two chapters: Seth (1:1), Noah (1:4), Abraham (1:28), and Israel (2:1). We all want to have a good name. A good name is desired more than great riches (Prov 22:1). 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.

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 before you sin.

Father, thank you for this reminder in your Word of the seriousness of sin.