“O God, it is You who knows my folly,
And my wrongs are not hidden from You.
May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts;
May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel”                        Psalm 69:5-6
It is a deep wound inflicted on the Body of Christ when we sin, dragging the name of God in the mud.  We are well aware of numerous occasions when public sin by a vocal Christian mars the reputation of our God.

We are called to be God’s lights illuminating the darkness, not poster-children for the twisted and evil.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”          Matthew 5:16

“. . . giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited.”      2 Corinthians 6:3
“. . . 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

Too often, the choices we make have the opposite effect.

“However, . . . by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. . . .     2 Samuel 12:14

May God forbid that we should blaspheme the name of the God we love by the life we live in this world!