A good credit score is hard to attain and maintain. There are many things that can affect your credit score and one of those is derogatory comments. Derogatory comments on credit are negative entries on a credit report, such as late payments, charge-offs, collections, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. These marks can lower your credit score, make it harder to get loans or credit cards, and even affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a job. They can remain on your report for seven to ten years, but you can sometimes get them removed by disputing errors, writing a goodwill letter, or making a “pay for delete” offer.
Just like credit scores we have credibility with those we are around. We can have good or bad credibility. One thing that can affect that is the comments we make. We can be offensive with our comments and actions towards others and this can negatively impact our credibility. This can cause others to start making derogatory comments about us. Yes, I’m aware that sometimes people talk bad about good people. I’m talking about not giving them a reason. You can pop off something with the thought, “I don’t care what they think.” You should though. That person that you showed an attitude to is a soul. What if you later try to share the Gospel with them and because of your actions you have lost credibility within them? What if someone else was witnessing to them and they walk into church and see you, will they want to stay or leave?
We must be concerned with our credibility with others. It can directly affect our witness.
Proverbs 21:23 NET The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
1 Peter 2:12 NET and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.