Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NAS
Today we conclude our study of Question 145 of the Larger Catechism, which asks, “What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?” The final part of the answer states, “The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are… breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.” Last time we saw how the sin of envy can lead to many different evil actions. This morning we consider the importance of promoting the good name of ourselves and others.
“Is it of good repute?” That was the question a preacher asked in a sermon many years ago as Robin and I sat in the audience. For some reason neither one of us ever forgot that admonition, as we will occasionally remind one another of it. To ask if something is of good repute is to apply this portion of today’s Catechism question to your current life situation. Repute is short for reputation but it also carries with it the idea of that which is reported. Similarly, the same Greek word that can refer to one’s “reputation” also can simply mean “name,” depending upon the context. So when the report went out about Jesus’ miracles, the Scriptures state: “And King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become well known,” (Mar. 6:14). In other words Christ’s name, with regard to His reputed ability to do miracles, was reported far and wide. In the same way we recognize a close relationship between name and reputation in English, though these two concepts are not included under word as they are in Biblical Greek.
So how do we keep our names and the names of others in good repute? First, we do not breach (break) lawful promises. If I have promised something, and if it is not a sin, then I should endeavor to keep my word, even at great sacrifice to myself. Otherwise, my name, my reputation, begins to be associated with one who does not keep his word, which means I am not bearing proper witness to God, whose image I bear—because God always keeps His Word. However, if I promise something that in and of itself is sinful, or that turns out to be sinful due to unforeseen circumstances which arise after my promise, I must not keep that word. We need only to think of Saul’s evil promise to kill whomever ate or drank anything before the battle ended (1 Sam. 14), or Jepthah’s evil oath to sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to the Lord (Jdg. 11:31-35), to realize that evil or sinful promises must be repented of and not fulfilled! For what is more important for us to honor, our own, sometimes rash words, or the perfect Word of God? If and when you ever find yourself pressured to do some sinful thing because you gave your word; humble yourself, confess your foolishness to God, repent of your evil words and do not keep them but keep His!
In order to promote what is of good repute in ourselves we must not engage in evil activities. Instead, we should develop reputations of those who avoid evil. By so doing, we hinder ill reports whereby our names would become known for evil and not for good. The Catechism also enjoins upon us our duty to promote the good names of our neighbors by “hindering what we can” that would procure for them an ill name. Lot plead with the men of Sodom “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!” (Gen. 19:7). They had begun to develop a reputation for gross sexual perversion, from which Lot lovingly sought to turn them. We should do likewise.
Finally, we should endeavor to not be “neglecting such things as are of good report.” There is so much evil, so much bad news in the world of which we should be seeking to avoid, that sometimes we fail to notice that which is good. Yet here is truly a duty in which we can rejoice: God requires us to promote and spread good reports! Whatever we see that is good, honorable, right, lovely, pure, just, or true let us bear witness to such things. And most especially let us bear witness to the God who has so graciously given them!
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