What takes a lifetime to build, but can be destroyed in seconds? Your reputation. As Christians, we should be concerned about our reputation. When people think about you, is “Christ-like” a word they would use to describe you? You and I are called to be salt and light. When I cook, I use salt because it never takes on the flavor of the food. Instead it interacts with the food it’s with and enhances the favors already there. Salt that’s still in the shaker only has the potential to affect flavors.
When people think of you, would they say you enhance their life? Do you bring flavor? We are all known for something by those around us. It’s time we thought of what that is and asked God to help us be more Christ-like. Of course, God’s idea of who we are should be more important to us than man’s. However, you and I have a mission to seek and save the lost. If we have a poor reputation, how will anyone listen to our message. I once heard someone say, “I can’t hear what you’re saying because you’re actions are so loud.”
God is concerned about how we bear His name. Here are some verses that talk about reputation.
1. So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
1 Timothy 3:2-4 NLT
2. Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].
1 Peter 2:12 AMP
3. A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation.
Proverbs 16:21 MSG
4. If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker.
Proverbs 24:8 GNT
5. An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.
Titus 1:6 NLT
6. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap.
1 Timothy 3:7 AMP
7. Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.
Proverbs 28:7 MSG
8. Fire tests gold and silver; a person’s reputation can also be tested.
Proverbs 27:21 GNT
9. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT
10. A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
Proverbs 22:1 MSG
