Reputation vs Character

Our reputation is determined by what men see.  It's the opinion of man from what is outwardly demonstrated.  Man's opinion of you is not always truth.  We all have mastered putting on a "front" and wearing a mask for the occasion.

Why spend our whole lives maintaining a reputation that is a false facade of who we really are? It is amazing what we as humans are capable of doing in order to be accepted or in order to get "ahead."  As Christians we are called to a different way of living. 

God is concerned with our character. Our character is what we are when no one else is looking. It's the hidden man of the heart.  I like this definition of Godly character:

"The ability to discern God's right way from the wrong, and to voluntarily surrender one's will to do what is right in God's sight and, with the promised supernatural help, to resist the wrong even under pressure and temptation." 

In order to be a people of character - we must: Guard our hearts at all cost, be wise in who is allowed into our inner circle, and be careful in the voices we allow to speak into our lives.  We must keep a heavenly mindset so that our focus does not shift from the things of the Spirit to merely keeping up with the "Jones'."  

Lord, maintaining an image for others is vanity and pointless. Help us to always remember that it is YOU that we will stand and give account to.  We want to be a people who demonstrate to the world who You intended Your followers to be.  May You be well pleased with our representation of You and Your ways.

(Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 13:20, 1 Cor. 15:33, Romans 12:2, Philippians 3:2, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:15-16, 1 John 2:6)