“A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1, CSB)
Reputations, we all have them. The problem is that reputations are in the eyes of the beholder. We feed a reputation through our words, actions, and behavior, but how others view that reputation is out of our hands. So, what kind of reputation should we pursue?
We need some care here. If we try and mold our reputation by the expectations of others, is it us? And yet, we learn what is a welcomed reputation by the response of others. We must avoid people-pleasing. That doesn’t mean that we are unkind, unloving, or don’t consider what others think. Our reputation must be built of studier material.
There are two requirements for that studier reputation. We should be honest with ourselves and others and want God’s opinion to matter the most. A good reputation before God is much more valuable than the world’s opinion of us.
Early in Jesus’ ministry, while gathering disciples, Jesus encountered Nathanael. “Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.” (John 1:47–48, CSB) Nathanael had an honest soul, and Jesus knew it. God does know us.
If we have a good reputation before God, it will not always be valued by others. Valuing honesty will not always be valued by others. The same can be said of mercy, grace, peace, love, joy, compassion, or self-sacrifice. And yet, those and other attributes are who we are in Christ.
Other verses for this promise (Compiled by David Wilkerson)
- Proverbs 22:1
- Ecclesiastes 7:1
- Psalm 27:6
- 1 Peter 4:14
- Proverbs 20:3
- Job 5:21
- Psalm 57:3
- Isaiah 51:7
- Job 11:14-15
- Proverbs 16:23
- Psalm 31:20
- Promises: Reputation - February 19, 2025
- Promises: Friends - February 17, 2025
- Promises: In Sickness - February 12, 2025
