Reputation of Character

Proverbs 12:26 “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.”

John Wooden, the famous UCLA basketball coach once said that it was more important to focus on character than reputation. “Character is who you really are, reputation is what others think you are.”

If we place too much emphasis on what others think of us, we tend to allow our actions to be dictated by others points of view. I’m not saying it’s not important to consider how we present ourselves, we certainly don’t want to project an image that falsely represents who we are, but if we allow others judgements to dictate our perspective, we may take our eyes off the Lord and become vulnerable to a false impression of who we are.

There are many who will judge every aspect of who you are and they often do so according to their own standard of goodness. The world’s standard is based off culture and today that is conceived from the very gates of Hell. Culture has normalized sin and even celebrates it. From the confusion of gender to the sanctity of life, much of which was classified as a mental illness long ago is now pushed as another expression of individualism.

Do you think that any proponent of abortion or homosexuality will judge a man or woman of God fairly?

The righteous have a specific way in which they are called to live.

The Life of the Righteous

The path of those who follow Christ resembles the character of godliness.

Proverbs 8:20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,”

The Lord declared the way He presents His image and it was according to righteousness.

Righteousness has a specific set of traits…

1. The Fear of the Lord: Walking in righteousness begins by a clear belief in God’s sovereign holiness. His authority is recognized over all of creation and are subject to His rule and reign. Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.” The Moral law brings fear to the sinner, for it is unwavering in its assessment of men.
2. Delighting in God’s Word: The path of the righteous leads them in honoring the Lord by obeying His Word. The more they walk in it, the more they see the joy and freedom in keeping it. There is nothing as rewarding in sensing God’s pleasure over a life that is faithful. Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
3. Trusting in the Lord: The world has many ways a person can go, and there are many stumbling blocks for people to fall.  If a believer proclaims Christ as their Lord and Savior, they have made a commit to trust and obey.  The Spirit guides the faithful pilgrim and leads them all along the way.  Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
4. Living Justly and Faithfully:  Justice is a benchmark of God’s throne.  He is faithful in His rule and authority, and He is just in His response towards sinners.  He promises that if we walk faithfully with Him, He will be found faithful to us.  Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
5. Acting in Mercy: Mercy is another attribute that God reflects back to those who choose to reflect His quality. What a great reward for the one who doesn’t receive what they deserve.  By God’s mercy He allows sinners to offend His holy name.  He mercifully waits patiently for the wayward sinner to repent and be born again.  By His mercy, people stumble and fall and God patiently beckons them to return.  There is something about mercy in the way God demonstrates His mercy to those who are merciful, they find themselves having it returned to them, but in much greater measure.  Psalm 18:25-26  “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.”
6. Showing Compassion: The term compassion is etymologically linked to רֶחֶם the Hebrew word for (rechem, “womb”), the verb paints a picture of the protective, nurturing compassion a mother has for an infant.  What great care the Lord takes with His children.  He knows their weaknesses, He protects them when they are vulnerable, and He nutures them as they grow.  For those whom the Lord has placed in our lives we must practice these same qualities as our Lord has given to us? Psalm 103:13  “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.”
7. Being Generous: For those who have much, much is expected. As the one given 5 talents was expected to bring 5 more, so those whom God blesses, the return should be comparable. Proverbs 22:9 “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.” The love of money has been a root of evil for many generations. For those entrapped by its allure, the insatiable nature of greed can grip the unsuspecting pilgrim and cause them to stumble.

These character qualities are only a sampling of the many attributes of those who are found faithful. For those who possess them in abundance, great reward is found among them.

What Others Think

Should we be overly concerned about how others view us? Some would say that we can’t change another opinion so why worry about how they see us?

In some cases, I can see how being less concerned about others points of view can save a lot of worry and fretting. I know of many people who have allowed others harsh opinions to dictate their self-worth. If an abusive father or mother shows hatred, then I must not be worth the effort to love, so goes the false conclusion. Sadly, many emergency rooms across America are filled with kids who are suicidal and depressed from very abusive relationships.

I think it best to search the Word and understand God’s perspective.

Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Paul reminded the church that to be a servant of the Lord, the focus must be ultimately on pleasing the Lord and not men.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

The words we speak should be weighed carefully, particularly in relating the gospel. Even in normal discourse, we are to guard our mouths and be slow to speak and quick to listen.

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.”

I’ve heard a few preachers comment on the man who concerns himself more with the world than with God, they ultimately fear man more than the Judge of the Universe. To trust in the Lord is to be established in His kingdom. There is a renewing of strength and their place is fixed securely on high.

The Lord looks upon the Heart

Scripture also emphasizes that God looks at the heart rather than an outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7 states that while man looks at outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart. Matthew 6:1 advises against practicing righteousness for others to see, as this will not be rewarded by God. 

We can try to look good to others but we are not fooling the Lord. He knows our hearts, He reads our minds and is intimately acquainted with all our ways.

When we have a right understanding of who we are in Christ, we can safely consider others and their needs.

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

When we show others love and respect, we honor the Lord who formed them.

People Pleasing

If we can be a positive reflection toward others and encourage them in their walk we just might be able to help reverse the damage done by others. We just need to be cautious to not let people pleasing be our aim.

While avoiding people-pleasing is important, the Bible also suggests considering how one’s actions are perceived by others for the sake of testimony and peace. 2 Corinthians 8:21 mentions aiming for what is honorable in both the Lord’s sight and the sight of man, and 1 Peter 2:12 advises keeping conduct honorable among others so that they may see good deeds and glorify God. 

Finally, scripture addresses the difference between the world’s view and God’s view.

John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

The world will never understand the life of a believer, they have no perspective in all that comes by walking in the Spirit, the very One who dwells within the life of a believer.

The character of a believer reflects the character of God. The world will hate you for it but the eternal reward far exceeds the trials.