The term "discreditable" refers to actions, behaviors, or characteristics that bring shame, dishonor, or a loss of reputation. In the context of the Bible, discreditable actions are those that are contrary to the teachings and commandments of God, leading to a tarnished witness for believers and a negative impact on the community of faith.

Biblical Context and Examples

Throughout Scripture, various behaviors and attitudes are highlighted as discreditable, often in contrast to the virtues and righteous living that God desires for His people. The Bible provides numerous examples of discreditable actions and their consequences, serving as warnings and lessons for believers.

1. Moral Failures: Discreditable actions often involve moral failures, such as lying, stealing, or engaging in sexual immorality. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against such behaviors, urging believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In Ephesians 5:3 , Paul writes, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed."

2. Hypocrisy: Jesus frequently condemned the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time, who outwardly appeared righteous but were inwardly corrupt. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

3. False Teaching: The spread of false doctrine is another discreditable action that the Bible warns against. In 2 Peter 2:1-2 , Peter cautions, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed."

4. Division and Strife: Creating division and strife within the body of Christ is discreditable and contrary to the unity that believers are called to maintain. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 , Paul appeals to the church, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction."

Consequences of Discreditable Actions

The Bible is clear that discreditable actions have serious consequences, both for individuals and for the community of believers. Such actions can lead to a loss of credibility, hinder the witness of the church, and bring about divine judgment. In Galatians 6:7-8 , Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Call to Righteous Living

Believers are called to live lives that are above reproach, reflecting the holiness and righteousness of God. In Philippians 2:14-15 , Paul exhorts, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." By avoiding discreditable actions and pursuing righteousness, believers can maintain a strong testimony and effectively witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.(a.) Not creditable; injurious to reputation; disgraceful; disreputable.

These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the ...
... but if they do believe them, they ought much more readily to receive these beliefs
of ours, so honourable and so holy, than theirs so discreditable and so vile ...
/.../11 these things since they.htm

Miscellaneous Phrases
... Devices generally held to be discreditable. Devious and perilous ways. ... Dimly implying
some sort of jest. Discreditable and insincere support. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section xi miscellaneous phrases.htm

Christ is All
... there is an end of his religion; now it will be such a contemptible thing, that
nobody will ever call himself a Christian; it will be discreditable to have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/christ is all.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... The term 'Methodist' does not, of course, in itself imply anything discreditable
or contemptuous; but it was given as a name of contempt, and was accepted as ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

General Corruption.
... Sec. 1. WE hear sometimes scholars complain, and with a certain show of reason,
that it is discreditable to us as a Church not to have long since put forth by ...
/.../chapter i general corruption.htm

Canonicity.
... accepted. Origen thinks that the motive of Susanna's exclusion was its relation
of particulars discreditable to the Jewish nation. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/canonicity 2.htm

Tertullian Pushes his Opponent into a Dilemma.
... which led Him to the creation of good creatures, as having detected [6264] what
was good in matter"although this, too, be a discreditable supposition [6265 ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xiv tertullian pushes his opponent.htm

Heresy Lowers Respect for Christ, and Destroys all Fear of his ...
... my promise! I had shown myself to have been born of a virgin; but this
seemed to me afterwards to be a discreditable thing. [2306 ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xliv heresy lowers respect for.htm

Letter xi. --To Libanius.
... But if he is otherwise disposed, it is only right, even if he be unwilling, he should
be forced to it; so as to avoid the unhappy and discreditable plight in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xi to libanius.htm

Reformation of Abuses at Rome by the Emperor Theodosius.
... [749] Thus did the emperor Theodosius free the city from two of its most discreditable
abuses: and when he had arranged all other affairs to his satisfaction ...
/.../chapter xviii reformation of abuses at.htm

Discreditable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not creditable; injurious to reputation; disgraceful;
disreputable. Multi-Version Concordance Discreditable (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/discreditable.htm - 6k

Discredit (4 Occurrences)

/d/discredit.htm - 8k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Yet the exaction of it from a Hebrew was regarded as discreditable (Psalm 15:5;
Proverbs 6:1, 4; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13; Jeremiah 15:10). ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Discredited (3 Occurrences)

/d/discredited.htm - 7k

Avoid (31 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ephesians 5:4 Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are
all alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks. (WEY). ...
/a/avoid.htm - 15k

Alike (67 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Ephesians 5:4 Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are all
alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks. (WEY). ...
/a/alike.htm - 25k

Shameful (27 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:4 Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are all
alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks. (WEY). ...
/s/shameful.htm - 15k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Ephesians 5:4 Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are
all alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks. (WEY BBE). ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Judges (117 Occurrences)
... In his narrative he sets down the whole truth, so far as it has become known to
him through tradition or written document, however discreditable it may be to ...
/j/judges.htm - 81k

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