My Month Of No More Reproach

3. Self-Inflicted Reproach.

Life styles such as idolatry, corruption, fraud, 419, party spirits, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, thievery, and other types of immorality, are causes of reproach. Examples abound in scriptures and in contemporary life of people who by their actions and life styles brought shame and reproach on themselves. I am writing this so that you will no more bring shame on yourself.

Noah a great man of God brought shame and reproach on himself by becoming a drunkard (Gen 9:21). Lot brought shame and disgrace when he also got drunk and slept with his daughters Genesis 19:31-35. Samson brought shame and reproach upon himself by his inability to control his sexual appetite. 'Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her. And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house'. Judges 16:1, 4, 21. How many are grinding stones in strange places because of their inability to control their sexual appetites. People like Reuben who slept with his father's concubine and brought generational reproach on his generation. Gen 49:3-4. David the uncommon General brought shame and reproach because of sexual activities. Amnon, the son of David half-brother of Absalom, raped the sister of Absalom and brought not only disgrace but uncommon death upon himself. How many are carrying unwanted pregnancies and corresponding shame because they could not close their thighs. Some bring reproach by stealing, manipulation and all kinds of unwholesome lifestyles.

Listen to me this is not the plan of God for you. Read this: "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2 "So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world" Philippians 2:15

"Namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain" Titus 1:6-7

4. Reproach from Others Sources. People can bring reproach on you just because they

hate you, your parents, and your family. - like the people of Israel suffered. "Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. Ex 1: 11. People are sacked in their offices for what they know nothing about and they suffered shame. Some defile others and brought shame on them. I have two counsels stop bringing reproach on people. Stop putting yourself in a situation that will bring reproach on yourself and other.