What practical steps can you take to cultivate a "good name" today? A Good Name: Priceless Treasure “A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) Why a Good Name Matters • Scripture treats reputation as real wealth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). • A respected name draws “favor with God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4). • A blameless reputation silences slander and magnifies God’s glory (1 Peter 2:12). Foundations of a Good Name • Integrity—undivided loyalty to truth (Psalm 15:1-4). • Faithfulness—steady reliability in every commitment (Luke 16:10). • Love—self-giving concern that wins respect (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Practical Steps to Cultivate a Good Name Today • Make truth your native language—no exaggeration, no hidden agendas (Ephesians 4:25). • Keep every promise, from small appointments to long-term contracts (Psalm 15:4b). • Work diligently; your craftsmanship reflects your character (Colossians 3:23). • Show honor to parents, employers, elders, and civil authorities (Romans 13:7). • Guard purity in thought, speech, media, and relationships (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). • Practice generosity; a stingy life tarnishes the name, a generous life polishes it (Proverbs 11:24-25). • Speak life, not gossip; refuse to entertain or spread rumors (Proverbs 16:28). • Choose friends who strengthen, not stain, your reputation (Proverbs 13:20). • Leave social media footprints that match your in-person testimony (Matthew 5:16). • Confess and correct failures quickly; repentance protects credibility (1 John 1:9). Guarding Your Good Name • Establish accountability—invite trusted believers to confront you in love (Proverbs 27:6). • Set clear personal boundaries before temptation arrives (Proverbs 4:23). • Remember that one moment of compromise can undo years of faithfulness (Ecclesiastes 10:1). The Ultimate Model: Christ “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) His humility, obedience, and sacrificial love give the pattern (Philippians 2:5-11). Follow Him and your name reflects His. Living It Out • Begin each day determined to honor Christ in every word and deed (Colossians 3:17). • End each day with honest self-examination and thanks for His grace (Lamentations 3:40). • Day by day, the Spirit produces the character that secures a truly “good name”—a legacy richer than gold and silver. |
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