Examining Your Reputation
Reading and Commenting on the Book of Acts
Read Acts 10:1-7
Like the Roman officer Cornelius, your reputation is important. It is developed through your actions. Truth is, you may have many reputations. Some have known you since birth; others have experienced you for the first time just minutes, hours, or days ago.
The Path Toward A Good Reputation
Tell the Truth
Tell the truth to yourself and to God about your past and your present.
Scripture tells us, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold" Proverbs 22:1.
You won't be able to tell the truth to others until you can tell it to yourself while consciously acknowledging God. And you won't be able to grow unless you've taken the time to ponder and accept where you have been and where you are today.
Envision the New Truth
Cornelius is described as a man who was devoted to God. The evidence of this was that his family admired who he was and as a result followed in his footsteps. He is remembered as a man who valued giving to those in need and to prayer. Who do you want to be? Who do you believe God wants you to be?
Live the Truth
Don't get overwhelmed with a laundry list of new goals. Instead, pick one character value you want to embody and then tell yourself, tell God, and tell others what kind of person you desire to be. If it's to be more loving, start loving. Work at it. Plan it. Evaluate progress each day. When you fail, admit it - that's "loving" in and of itself. Ask people you trust to remind you or ask you how you're doing developing your desired characteristic.
Live Today
The most important reputation is the one you will build today. You can't change yesterday but you can change tomorrow by living right today. Don't worry about changing other people's view of you, concentrate on allowing God to change you one day at a time. The rest will take care of itself.
Reflection Questions
How would an honest person who knows you well, describe you?
How would their description be different from what you would like to hear?
What is the one character quality you would like to improve?
