Reputation Matters!

blogreputationaUsually, when asked why I won’t do something, my reply is, “I have a reputation to keep!” This doesn’t please most people who hear this; instead, their response to that is, “You shouldn’t care what other people think!” To a certain extent, I can understand that thinking. For instance, I should not care what someone would think if I were to stand up for what is right among a crowd of wrong-doers. However, when it comes to reputation, I believe it does matter what people think. I will explain why.

We are to be an example to those around us (I Tim. 4:12). If we are off doing and saying things that Jesus would not do and say, then we are not being a very good example! Of course, none of us is perfect–and we will never be–but we are to try our best to have a mind like Christ (Philippians 2:5). People know what kind of person we are by our actions (Matthew 7:15-20). Even if we say we are a Christian, if we do not try our best to be one, they will not be apt to look to us as an example!

Others also take notice of who we hang out with. Often, teens don’t want to believe that they will begin to act like the people they hang around. The Bible tells us it will happen, though. “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (I Corinthians 15:33). If the people we are “friends” with will not accept our ways as a Christian, we have no need to be affiliated with them. After we have tried our best to teach them, if they do not want to better themselves, then we must sever those ties, or else they will bring us down. Sometimes, there are people who seem to be our friends, who in the end, spread our defects, make us look bad, and hurt the reputation we are attempting to build for Christ. We have got to watch out who we are running around with, or others will begin to see that we are beginning to imitate their ways…which, if unrighteous, will be greatly damaging to our building reputation!

The Bible tells us what we are to be, simply! By becoming what God has commanded, we don’t have to wonder “who we are,” or “how we should live.” We will know how to be the right example! Here are some things God wants us to be:

Moral, having integrity (Titus 2:7)
Reverent, respectful (Titus 2:7)
Incorruptible, not willing to give way to the devil’s ways (Titus 2:7)
A sound speaker, using good language and words, and being uplifting with our words; they are powerful (Titus 2:8; Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 34:13-14; Col. 3:8-9; James 3:5)
Humble, meek, seeing everyone as above yourself, not being conceited or proud (Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 18:4; James 4:10; Colossians 3:12)
Blameless and harmless in a world of perversion; (Philippians 2:14-15)
Joyful (Philippians 4:4; Psalm 35:9; 2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Caring, hospitable, kind & tenderhearted (Eph. 4:32; 1 Peter 4:9; Phil. 2:4)
Forgiving and loving (Eph. 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Col. 3:13-14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-11)

blogreputationbI know that it may seem like, at times, the Bible is just a “rule book” of “don’t do this” and “you can’t do that.” But when we honestly grasp all God and Jesus have done for us, why would we not want to mold ourselves to fit His standards? I mean, we don’t need money or power to become the things He commands us to be. It’s all inside us, and He’s willing to help us become all that we can be for Him!

I’d like to end this entry on this note: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). We can be the best example to those around us, as long as we seek God’s guidance in building a righteous reputation. Even when we mess up, keep trying. He knows if we truly desire to live for Him; He knows our hearts!

– Hannah Smith

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