Proverbs 25:10 Lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away.
Infamy: the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed. The evil fame we are known for.
The proverb says, “Your infamy will never go away.” There is a truth in this because many people are known by what they did wrong, even though they spent the rest of their lives trying to do right and overcome the mess that made them of evil fame in the first place. Great ministries, CEO’s and politicians that have fallen terribly have been remembered for the shame and evil fame rather than the efforts they made to turn their lives around and go straight so to speak.
Thank God for His grace and that God judges the heart of man, not on his past failures, but on the merit of the blood of Christ. The Grace of God is amazing because the evil fame we became known for can be replaced with an identity of who we are in the Lord now, even though mankind may not be on board with God’s proclamation of who we are. Rom. 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Thank God for His grace and that God judges the heart of man, not on his past failures, but on the merit of the blood of Christ. The Grace of God is amazing because the evil fame we became known for can be replaced with an identity of who we are in the Lord now, even though mankind may not be on board with God’s proclamation of who we are. Rom. 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
In 2 Samuel chapter eleven, we can read the story of King David and Bathsheba who committed adultery. The adultery results in Bathsheba getting pregnant. King David tries to fix the problem by having Bathsheba’s husband come home on military leave in the hopes of a conjugal visit, but Uriah does not go see his wife; therefore, King David arranged the murder of Uriah to cover up the adultery and pregnancy of Bathsheba. It sounds like an episode of bad reality TV. This infamy never left David or Bathsheba; however, God saw David as a man after God’s heart. Acts 13:22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.
David was quick to repent and keep going with God regardless of what had been done. Psalm 25:11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Yes, the fruit of what had been sown would cause problems in the kingdom of Israel and Judah. The evil fame of the sins David committed would always be a fact in David’s life, but with God, there is forgiveness and the opportunity to live in the favor of God regardless of the infamy David was known for.
David was quick to repent and keep going with God regardless of what had been done. Psalm 25:11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Yes, the fruit of what had been sown would cause problems in the kingdom of Israel and Judah. The evil fame of the sins David committed would always be a fact in David’s life, but with God, there is forgiveness and the opportunity to live in the favor of God regardless of the infamy David was known for.
I am not making light of adultery or murder, or any other heinous sin committed on earth. I am saying you might have committed something difficult for mankind to forgive and as the proverb says, “Your infamy will never go away.” This may be the way it is for the rest of your life, and be sure the devil will remind you of this fame at every opportunity that presents itself. However, God has the last word and commentary as to what He will say about you through-out eternity once you repent. That is the power and forgiveness found through the blood of Jesus. God will still use the calling on your life for His purpose, even though you might have ruined your good name through the action you took to become labeled with the infamy. Rom. 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
I have known and know some people dealing with the label of infamy attached to them; it is like an appendage that sticks out, no matter where they go. As some of you feel, my respect for some of these fallen ones has waned. However, the love of God must be offered and granted to them the same way the love of God has been given to us; unconditionally.
The warning we get in the word of God is also clear. We must watch our hearts in judging, lest we fall in the same places and end up with an evil fame of our own. Gal. 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Let us live our lives with the goal of walking circumspect before God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us do our best not to become another statistic of infamy. God bless you.
The warning we get in the word of God is also clear. We must watch our hearts in judging, lest we fall in the same places and end up with an evil fame of our own. Gal. 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Let us live our lives with the goal of walking circumspect before God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us do our best not to become another statistic of infamy. God bless you.
God always get the last word.