What the Bible says about influence and reputation

In Proverbs 22:1 the Bible says, 'A 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 in life.

In Ecclesiastes 7:1 the Bible says, 'A good name 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 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; 1Timothy 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).



Submitted by S. Duncan


"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15,16