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Guard a Godly Reputation (April 11, 2024)
“A good name earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity is more desirable than great riches; and favor is better than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)
A good reputation is a lasting treasure more valuable than passing worldly riches, and, thus, should, be carefully guarded by the application of God’s Word to our lives. American founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” Sadly, an honorable name built over a lifetime can be ruined almost instantly. Respect that took many years to earn can vanish virtually overnight. Reputations can be irreparably tarnished by our own misdeeds and bad choices or through no fault of our own. Gossip, slander, and lies, for example, can overshadow the most stellar reputation.
We live in a so-called “cancel culture” in which tolerance for differing beliefs, world views, and lifestyles is increasingly demanded by a society crazed by expectations of political correctness. Almost daily, we hear about famous people from politics, entertainment, business, sports, and all walks of life being ostracized as social outcasts for irresponsible statements or actions that happened in many cases decades ago. We must be extremely careful in measuring the potential impact of our thoughts, words, and actions in light of the immediate global scrutiny of our lives afforded by today’s technology, especially modern social media.
Although we may be persecuted for our faith, Christians must portray the character of Jesus Christ regardless of the worldly consequences as we seek to develop reputations worthy of God’s favor. A Christ-centered lifestyle entails submission to the divine guidance of our lives according to the absolute truth of the Holy Bible, our handbook for wholesome living. We must also yield to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit to cultivate within us love, goodness, kindness, and other spiritual "fruit" that were the hallmarks of Jesus’ earthly life. Living to please, honor, and glorify Christ is the only way to a slander-proof reputation!


 

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