A good name may come under attack at any time: accusations arise, pressures build, and crises happen. However, difficult circumstances alone cannot destroy a name. These challenges provide opportunities to demonstrate inner character qualities or reveal the lack thereof. In the end, the person who weathers the storm with integrity will sail on with a good name.

When a person does not live with integrity, he waffles into compromise, and compromise will destroy a good name. If a person who has stood for Biblical principles begins to yield to evil, he will eventually lose his good name. Compromise may begin with “little” choices, but in time, inconsistencies reveal true character and lead to significant losses.

Temptations to compromise usually come when a person is facing extreme needs. It may appear to him that if he compromises, he will relieve the pressure. What he does not realize is that the pressure is a test of his character—if he compromises, he not only fails the test, but he also multiplies his future problems.

Beware of temptations to compromise in these and other areas:

• Dishonest billing
• Immorality
• Cheating on taxes
• Cooperation with evil
• Misusing funds

A person’s determination to resist compromise opens the way for God to bless him and those who are influenced by his example. “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth forever. . . . Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:1–3, 6–7).