BY PASTOR BRANDON YOUNG
Our reputation is our most valuable possession and we must do everything in our power to protect it. Over the years, many folks have said, “I don’t care what people think about me!” This is a frightening statement and could not be further from the truth of God’s Word. Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Precious ointment was valuable and would often cost a year’s wages during biblical times, but here Solomon states a good name is more treasured. I still believe that is true today.
According to the dictionary, a reputation is the beliefs or opinions generally held about someone or something; a widespread belief that someone or something has a particular habit or characteristic. A reputation is formed from one’s lifestyle, actions and words. We choose our words and actions daily, and they create the perception others have of us. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” We actually choose our reputation by how we decide to live our lives. Oftentimes we convince ourselves that due to the slander and gossip of others that a false reputation is created and there is nothing that we can do about it, but according to Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” No matter how many others lie about us or try to harm us through slander, God says he will not permit the words of their mouth to convict us. Isn’t it nice to know that others cannot tarnish our reputation? The only person that can is staring back at us in the mirror every day. God will abolish the rumors and gossip about his children, but the truth will always stand and be shouted from the rooftops. The truth of who we are as individuals will be spread quickly far and wide.
The term, “Your Reputation Precedes You,” was coined and became popular in the 1900’s. It means people know about you before meeting you. These things can be positive or negative. We must acknowledge that people around us are forming opinions of us daily and this information is then being disseminated widely.
Reputations mean something in the business industry. According to invespcro.com, reviews are of utmost importance. Ninety percent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Eighty-eight percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. A review tells the consumer that one product will be reliable, trustworthy and the other is going to either let you down or you aren’t going to get your money’s worth out of it. This is the same principle when it comes to individuals. Based on our deeds and the words we use every day, reputations are formed. These reputations also come to represent our Lord as Christians. The world sums up Jesus using us as a frame of reference. We must be very careful in all we say or do. The perceptions of others become reality! It’s simple, really. The way others read you determines who you are. Personality translates to others’ perception of you, which in theory, becomes your reputation.
How can we possess a Godly reputation? I would like to leave you with some scripture references and thoughts to meditate upon that will answer the previous question. Thessalonians 4:11-12, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” We must examine our own lives daily, and not meddle in the affairs of others.
James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” We must love those in the world without becoming like the world.
1 Peter 3:8-13, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous (BE CAREFUL OF ONE ANOTHER’S REPUTATION); 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” We must be careful with what we say by being swift to hear and slow to speak.
I have thought for weeks about a Godly reputation, and I can tell you that when we act and speak in anger or when we are too quick to react that we can easily damage our name. If we can slow down and pray that God would direct our steps, we can choose to do and say the right thing. Satan loves when we are speedy and hasty because he knows terrible deeds and words will follow, but God commands us to wait upon the Lord. Let’s pray that each of us can do a better job to have a good name as we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ!
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton, and his associate, David Odom)