Refrences

Good Morning,

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

Ecclesiastes 7:1 “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.”

A reference letter tells of the past behavior of an individual. 

It gives a suggestion of potential future activities.

References reveal who a person truly is when they are not trying to impress or gain something. It shows the inner person at a moment of relaxation when their true nature is visible.

A NAME... that is the opinion of others. What people think of someone when they have watched them in various circumstances   

A criminal record has bearing on what people think of you.

      • Yes you can be forgiven.

      • Yes, you can start over.

      • Yes, your past is a part of you. 

      • Your past IS YOU... at one time.

When I am looking for a carpenter, and multiple references say a person repeatedly was slow or did not complete a job, that will make me assume the same will happen in the future.

Evil people in the past should be scattered in the future. Someone who was a critic yesterday is likely to be one tomorrow.  Someone who was a talebearer yesterday will almost surely be one tomorrow.  They have proven themselves; they have a "reputation."

Proverbs 20:8 "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.”

vs. 26 “A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” 

Someone who was once scornful and critical is likely to remain the same in the future. God advises you to keep them away from you.

Proverbs 22:10 “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”

Removing yourself from the scorner will stop contention and reproach. Over the years, I have met several pastors who seemed to always be ready to tell me some critical news, repeat a story, or speak evil of people I know to be "good."  

I avoid these people! 

Talebearers, according to the Lord, keep strife alive.  God is not impressed with that behavior.  Their critical comments can be read online as they slander people who have been dead for decades.

Proverbs 26:20 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no, the strife ceaseth.”

vs. 21 “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

I will not spend time with critics, scorners, talebearers, or anyone who stirs up contention and strife.  If you point me to someone who seeks to hurt others or has often said critical or slanderous things, I will show you someone I will avoid at all cost.

We should all seek to develop good references.  As people watch us over the years, we should live in the way which describes our references as good. 

What are your references?   


Pastor