reputation – 1a: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general 2: a place in public esteem or regard: good name
Notice how definition 1a is based on character, but the second doesn’t necessitate a basis of character. (Definition 1b, I did not include because it refers to some characteristic or ability, which biblical scripture doesn’t site in regard to an individual’s reputation.)
David declared that he’ll praise God forever for what He’s done; in His name he’ll hope, for His name is good. David vowed to praise God in the presence of the saints. (Ps 52:9) He clearly views God in a favorable way, as many of us do. But if at any point things didn’t go as well as David thought they should, and he failed to appropriately judge God’s character or recognize His overall quality, would that mean that God ceases to have that character or those qualities? Can David’s attitude, or our attitude, towards God -or anyone else- put their reputation in jeopardy?
The author of Ecclesiastes puts the previous book of Proverb’s wisdom to work to examine the human experience. Or another way to put it is, the wise sayings of Proverbs is what we should conform to our thoughts. But Ecclesiastes is, kind of, what happens when worldly society gets a hold of godly wisdom. Proverbs 3:3-4 tells us that if we make love and faithfulness a part of who we are -our character- we’ll win favor and a good name in the sight of God and (then) man. But in Ecclesiastes 10:1, the fragility of reputation (or good name) is illustrated by the comparison between dead flies ruining a perfume or ointment, and a few mistakes ruining an individual’s reputation of wisdom and honor. Unless we view the two scriptures as contradictory, let me point out that the sayings of wisdom in scripture are often general statements. So, generally speaking, if we live as the Lord tells us to, we’ll have a good reputation. But in the hands of easily persuaded men, our reputations may not stand. God will always judge or assess our character fairly, but we cannot count on man.
God’s word stands. Yes, a good name is more desirable than great riches, and to be esteemed is better than silver or gold (Pr 22:1). But know that men are fickle and your good name among them is in constant jeopardy. Although successfully serving the Lord is dependent on how we interact with others, I don’t believe that God desires us to be slave of the often unstable attitudes and faulty discernment of man, who often doesn’t allow God’s word to shape their perceptions. We’re to store our riches in heaven, which is where we should also really care if we have a good name (Mt 6:20-21).
Again, according to the first definition, reputation is determined by overall character. So, to accurately determine reputation, people -in general- should be good judges of character. It’s always best to take a person as they are, and reserve any assessment of people for personal experience. But a discerning person will occasionally allow a trusted individual to vouch for the character, and speak of the reputation of another. We don’t trust everyone’s opinion.
But I believe that God is more concerned about what is, rather than how things appear, and the first definition of reputation basically depends on who a person is, as determined by reasonable people. I think it’s that definition that best describes God’s viewpoint of our reputation. We know that He’s just. And that’s why I assert that reputation isn’t what’s merely said or believed about a person, but what’s known about them. That’s Proverbial, heavenly perspective, and wisdom, as opposed to the Ecclesiastical, worldly view of wisdom.
Do we have an appropriate relationship with our reputations? Many have chosen to believe the lie that says, liability is a measure of success. But based on that belief, Jesus would be considered unsuccessful. The Bible tells us that a student isn’t above his teacher. So, if Jesus had his haters, what makes us think we can be hater free? (Lk 6:40). It should come as no surprise. Jesus already forewarns us that if we follow him, WE WILL BE PERSECUTED (2 Ti3:12-14). Withstanding persecution and still persevering proves a believer’s fitness for the kingdom. When we’re faced with the temptation to yield under persecution, we should still be found standing with the Lord (Mt 10:32-33).
An inappropriate relationship with reputation is rooted in pride. It’ll lead an individual to place public approval over God’s. Saving face will take precedence over sincerity. The lie of pride that may lead to an extreme concern with reputation will convince a person that, it only matters how things look, not how they are. Keep putting up that front. The only person you have to answer to is you. But don’t believe those lies! The Bible encourages you not to be afraid of man who can only (harm your reputation by scandalizing your name, presenting you in a negative light, rallying people against you, threatening you with isolation, pointlessly disagreeing with you, and even) kill you, but rather revere the Lord who can do so much worse to you, but desires to do so much better for you (Mt 10:28; Jas 1:17). Man’s range of power is limited, but God’s is unlimited!
Because Jesus understood this, he successfully carried out the mission his Father gave him. Understand that God’s reputation among men was not so much of importance to Him that he couldn’t even set aside His glory and submit to the humiliation of becoming a man (Php 2:5-7). (Although He maintained His deity, He set aside its prerogatives.) And surely, the favor of Pharisees and high priests was alluring to Jesus (Heb 4:15). He was, no doubt, hurt by the rejection of his own people (Jn 1:11; Ps 118:22). But glory be to God! He was faithful enough to carry out his high calling! Jesus’ sight was heavenward. But imagine if yielded to the temptation to give in and win the favor of man over doing what he knew to be right?
You may say, of course he could do this with no problem. He’s God; I’m only human. But God wouldn’t command us to be Christ-like if it weren’t possible. Look at all of the people in the Bible who man hated or despised, but was approved by God: Abel, Joseph, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (bka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), Daniel, Lazarus, Stephen, etc. (Ge 4:1-7; 37:1-11; Dan 3; 6; Lk 16:19-31; Ac 7:54-60). Paul imitated Christ’s example and humbly gave up the good esteem of fellow Jews to embrace him. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, (former) persecutor of the church, and righteously faultless (Php 3:4-6). But I love how he basically says, ‘Forget all of that!’ Compared to knowing Jesus Christ, my reputation among you all is garbage (v.7-8). Forget about my rep. I’m choosing Jesus over a “good name” in your eyes. I know this earthly life is temporal. I’m making the decision to have a heavenly view!
