"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT
INFLUENCE & REPUTATION"
In Proverbs 22:1 the
Bible says, "A <good> name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
loving favor rather than silver and gold." Man is said to wear three
names. The first is the name one is given at birth. The second is the
family name one inherits. The third is the name (reputation) one makes
for himself/herself in life.
In Ecclesiastes 7:1 the
Bible says, "A good name <is> better than precious ointment..." This is
especially true for the people of God. The Bible says that our good
works are to be done not to receive glory for ourselves but so that
others will see them and glorify God (Matthew 5:13-16). This involves
the type of reputation we build and guard for the glory of God.
In Revelation 14:13 the
Bible says, "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write:
'Blessed <are> the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says
the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works
follow them." This indicates that the way we live in life for the
Lord will outlive us in the minds and hearts of others. This is what is
meant by influence and reputation.
The Bible says that the
world will know us by our fruit (John 15:8-16; 1 Timothy 5:9-10). That
is, others will observe our conduct and make an evaluation of
christianity by what they see us do. This is one reason why keeping a
good name for the Lord is so important.
In 2 Timothy 2:19 the
Bible says, "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having
this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who
names the (name of Christi depart from iniquity." One reason
why christians should pay close attention to their own reputation is
that we wear the name of Christ as our own. If we ruin our own name by
the things we do, His name also suffers. Those outside the church are
given opportunity blaspheme christianity as being a hypocritical, sham
of an institution when christians openly behave in an ungodly fashion (2
Samuel 12:14; 2 Corinthians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).