A. To
some extent, all of us are concerned about what others think of us. Within
limits, this is good.
1. Speaking
of an elder, Paul wrote: "Moreover, he must have a good report of them
which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil"
(I Timothy 3:7).
2. Concerning
women, the apostle Paul wrote: "I will therefore that the younger women
marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to
speak reproachfully" (I Timothy 5:14).
3. Concerning
servants, Paul wrote: "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count
their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine
be not blasphemed" (I Timothy 6:1).
4. We
should strive to live in such a way that we do not give others reason to speak
poorly of us.
B. But
we should not be overly concerned about what others think.
1. In
condemning the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said: "But all their works
they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge
the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called
of men, Rabbi, Rabbi" " (Matthew 23:5-7).
2. To
be overly concerned is to be self-centered.
C. A
good name enables us to have a good influence on others, while a bad name
causes us to have a bad influence. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but of
the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth
good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye
are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" (Matthew
5:13-16). No matter what my understanding of doctrine may be, I cannot bring
others to Christ if my reputation is not what it ought to be.
D. A
good name brings honor to Christ’s church, while a bad name brings reproach
upon Christ’s church. "When the wicked cometh, then cometh also
contempt, and with ignominy reproach" (Proverbs 18:3). Ignominy –
shameful behavior. Reproach – disgrace. I cannot engage in disgraceful
behavior without bringing disgrace upon the church.
E. Others
(beside ourselves) are affected by our reputation. "The just man walketh
in his integrity: his children are blessed after him" (Proverbs 20:7).
Your reputation is determined in part by your father’s reputation, your
family name. But father, we must remember, our children’s reputation will be
determined in part by our reputation.
