“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
The Importance of a Good Reputation
Scripture supports the rationale that a reputation should be greatly valued. In the Old Testament, we are told that “the memory of the righteous is blessed,” while “the name of the wicked will rot (Proverbs 10:7 NASB).” Proverbs 22:1 (NASB) further supports there being value in a good reputation; proclaiming that “a good name is to be more desired than great wealth.”
Given the importance appropriated to inheritance and family legacy within the entirety of Old Testament scripture (see Abraham, Isaac, David, etc.), a good reputation was (and is) highly valued within Jewish culture. The New Testament, likewise, encourages Christians to place a high value on one’s reputation, as overseers (elders) “must be above reproach,” and “respectable (1 Timothy 3:2).”
That being said, what is a “good reputation?” How shall it be defined for purposes of this note?
Taking context from the Holy Bible, anything “good” comes from God, and would be pleasing to Him. “Reputation” is more difficult to clarify, because there are two definitions that both have relevance:
Reputation (Per Merriam-Webster.com):
1 a : overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general. b : recognition by other people of some characteristic or ability reputation of being clever>
2 : a place in public esteem or regard: good name
Therefore, to simplify, we shall consider a “good reputation” as that which exemplifies characteristics pleasing to God and can be recognized by others. Please note, however, that when “reputation” is used in this note, it may [though not always] be speaking to the general perception of a total population, including both Christian and Secular value-systems—please consider by its context.
Within Christian communities, especially those that fall within the “Bible belt,” I believe, in most environments, value is still placed on one’s reputation. It could be argued, however, that in the more general society, reputation takes a backseat to unabridged power and wealth—or, people try to build a reputation that focuses on their power and wealth (among other things). When we fail to appropriately value reputation, or build the presentation of “good” reputation without the necessary character [in Christ], we diminish our ability to effectively love God and others.
Misguided Modern Society – Idolatry of Me and Community
With the broader present-day society de-emphasizing the importance of a good reputation when brought into comparison with dominant cultures of the past, it should be no surprise that many politicians straight-face lie without concern, and that rare is a day when the evening news is not commenting on the latest white-collar crime. As a Christian, believing the world to be in a fallen-state, the fact that many choose “silver and gold” over “favor (Proverbs 22:1)” should be anticipated and expected. Yet, while it can be reasonably argued that Christians do value a good reputation, how well are Christians presenting themselves to the whole of society as being “above reproach,” and “respectable (1 Timothy 3:2)?” Yes, value is attributed to reputation, but could it be possible that reputation has earned preeminence over character? Do we care more about possessing a good reputation than we do about it being representative of our actions; and more importantly, our intentions?
Rather than looking to Christ, are we seeing ourselves everywhere we look? Like Narcissus, have we succumbed to our own image, rather than purporting ourselves as ambassadors for Christ? Rather than loving others, does everything quietly reflect back upon us?
In Greek mythology, Narcissus was the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope. Narcissus was distinguished by his great beauty. His mother was told that he would have a long life, provided he never looked upon his own features. Yet, he fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a pool. There, he lost all interest in food and rest, and because he could not stop looking at his own image, he eventually died. He died pining away with longing at the sight of his own image. Today, the term narcissism denotes an excessive degree of self-involvement, envy, self-importance, and self-love—and finding emotional satisfaction in such self-absorption. Narcissists need constant admiration and attention. The Greek myth provides an important insight: self-love eventually leads to death; love for others leads to life.
~ Gospel Transformation, p. 248
Much like Narcissus, will we meet death by staring at ourselves? Could we be effectively staring upon our own image when we glance upon others? As Christians, we state that it is our desire to resemble our Savior and Lord. If we fall into self-absorption, such as Narcissus, the Lord we see looks just like us…and not much like Christ. If that “us” is taken collectively, and we adopt the norms of our church community—regardless of whether those norms are biblically founded—then we are still no better off than Narcissus, trading one idol (self) for another (community).
“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?”
~ James 2:1-4
In our sinful nature, we have a tendency to place our standards on others. We place greater importance on those things which we value, and less on those things which we do not. Rather than follow the command to “love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12),” we relegate our love for those people or characteristics (such as wealth and power) that support the value we see in ourselves. It may not be a conscious discrimination, but it is discrimination nonetheless. C.S. Lewis spoke to the need to see past our own understanding, and find the value and significance in every “immortal soul”:
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”
~ C.S. Lewis
It is a personal concern that many Christians (myself included) regularly fail to look upon others as “immortal souls.” And as it pertains to our reputation, it is sought through conformity with like-minded individuals, more so than it is in Christ. In many ways, professed believers will always struggle with life’s most daunting idol—self. There is a dichotomy—the whole good versus evil thing—that is more visible to others than it is to us. While we proclaim the Gospel, we must also remember that we have nothing without it. Our good deeds are nothing but filthy rags (Romans 3:23) aside from that which is done through us in Christ Jesus. The Christian’s struggle with sin is never-ending, and there is not one culture (including those that reside within the Church) that does not come into conflict with the heart-confronting message of the Gospel.
“The gospel, precisely because it so powerfully confronts all the human ways we try to supplant God, from the tower of Babel to the cross, is always mysterious and even dangerous to cultures that want to maintain their uneasy bargains with sin–whether those bargains take the form of tribalism or individualism, collectivism or consumerism. No human society–not even Israel, as the prophets lamented and insisted–can fully “enculture” the gospel. Christendom is always purchased at the price of a reduced gospel that all too often reduces the cross to a piece of jewelry.” ~Culture Making p. 177
Faulty Foundations – Lost in the Caves, Indulging in the Shadows
We live in a dangerous time, in that while we have the Gospel, we do not always seek Christ. We live in a time that wants what it wants, but fails to find what it needs…even when it is being proclaimed openly without risk of martyrdom, as it once was! And in having the Good News, do we not have a greater responsibility (Luke 12:48)? While we know the outcome of the war (Christ being victorious!), it is important to remember that we exist in a world that is still battling, and there will be casualties. We must fight! The devil is known as the Great Deceiver for a reason, and when partnering with the world and our embattled flesh, he can quickly misguide our best intentions. He even attempts to implement scripture, albeit incorrectly, to lead man into sin (Matthew 4:1-11).
One way a Christian can be led astray with scripture is to become “puffed up” with knowledge. A believer can become prideful in his or her knowledge of scripture, and consider him or herself to be the authority, rather than Christ. When others support this perception, and such an individual is held in high regard within their community; the reputation may not match the character exhibited through action, or known to God by heart’s intention. He or she is a pillar of sand rather than rock (Matthew 7:24-28), and can lead that community into ruin.
And once a society adopts a premise for its culture—a foundation—one is hard-pressed in getting that society to change from that premise. This aspect of human nature’s dependence on a cultural foundation, to the detriment of further enlightenment, was elaborated upon by the Ancient Greek Philosopher, Plato.
In Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave, the Greek philosopher, Socrates, is speaking with a young follower named Glaucon about the challenges of being a philosopher—a seeker of truth and wisdom:
Plato lets Socrates describe a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire behind them, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to Plato’s Socrates, the shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall do not make up reality at all, as he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners…
..The Allegory of the Cave is an attempt to explain the philosopher’s place in society: to attempt to enlighten the “prisoners”…
Socrates next asks Glaucon to consider the condition of this man. “Wouldn’t he remember his first home, what passed for wisdom there, and his fellow prisoners, and consider himself happy and them pitiable? And wouldn’t he disdain whatever honors, praises, and prizes were awarded there to the ones who guessed best which shadows followed which? Moreover, were he to return there, wouldn’t he be rather bad at their game, no longer being accustomed to the darkness? Wouldn’t it be said of him that he went up and came back with his eyes corrupted, and that it’s not even worth trying to go up? And if they were somehow able to get their hands on and kill the man who attempts to release and lead them up, wouldn’t they kill him?” (517a). The prisoners, ignorant of the world behind them, would see the freed man with his corrupted eyes and be afraid of anything but what they already know…
…Philosophers analyzing the allegory argue that the prisoners would ironically find the freed man stupid due to the current state of his eyes and temporarily not being able to see the shadows which are the world to the prisoners.
We often believe we see everything, but much of what we are seeing could very well be shadows. This was the prominent stumbling block for the scribes and Pharisees, the church in Corinth, and many of us now! Who can fully comprehend a God who is omnipotent and omniscient? Jesus cautioned his disciples to be prepared (Matthew 24:42) and to not be misled (Matthew 24:4). While Plato sought the truth, Jesus WAS AND IS the TRUTH! Yet, the Truth from the Word Incarnate was received only by a few, with many content to stare at the shadows that brought them comfort. They convinced themselves that they already possessed Truth in its completeness; therefore, there was no need to consider anything further. While offered a foundation of rock, they chose sand.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explains the foolishness of holding onto faulty foundations and shadows:
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
~ 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, NASB
Christians are called by Christ to serve as loving philosophers for His Truth, continually seeking to: 1) Share the Truth that has been revealed to them with non-believers [“prisoners”] and one another, while 2) Continually seeking to understand the Truth (Jesus) better—building from a sound theological foundation to lovingly bring others into the bright light of the Father’s love.
Current Cultural Challenges for Cultivating Christ’s Character (Application)
To assist in digesting what I have shared prior to this juncture, below are five points that quickly summarize everything using the analogy of the tree and its shadow (see Lincoln quote that opened note):
- A shadow (reputation) has little value if not paired with a healthy tree (a Christ-focused character)
- It is easy to quickly fall into self-idolatry or cultural predispositions that focus on the shadows (reputation/visible actions and words), rather than inspect the tree (character/intentions behind the actions, one’s heart)
- A shadow (reputation) can be larger or smaller than the actual tree (character) depending on the time of day (environment/audience)
- Any foundation that fails to be established by Christ and maintained by the Holy Spirit will lead to a weak and feeble tree (character), regardless of the size of its shadow (reputation)
- Once a tree (character) is sized up by its shadow (reputation), it is difficult to develop an opinion on the tree (character) based on its other attributes (actions/intentions)
Considering the five points above, the following are what I consider three major hurdles for cultivating a Christ-like character in the here-and-now:
1) Cursory Mindset Culture: For those who live in the developed (not the word I attribute to it) world, information rules. Today, more than ever before, the JMU motto of “Knowledge is Power” rings true. Individuals are inundated with thousands of messages before ever leaving the house for work. Whether it is perusing Facebook, reading a blog, checking the scores from last night’s games, sending or receiving texts, or talking to a family member or roomie…people are quickly scanning and interpreting data
In most work environments, the introduction of laptops and smart phones only increases the speed at which one is expected to perform their job duties. The line between personal life and work has never been more blurred. And it is possible that in regularly performing tasks in a cursory, or surface-level, manner—we have diminished our capability to think deeply. By clicking HERE (to do a cursory scan), you can read about some of the concerns psychologists and other professionals have regarding the Internet’s impact on our thinking processes.
Why should a cursory mindset be a concern? There are a few reasons. First, Christians are encouraged to love God and love others. A key component of loving others is to be invested in them. There was a time when people would sit on their porches with friends and members of their family and talk for hours about the news of the day. Then, time on the porch turned into phone calls…and then Instant Messages…and then texts. Information quickly provided, and maybe even more frequently…but with less depth (and possibly, subsequent thought). Dare I suggest that people tend to invest less in one another; knowing more facts about more people, but truly understanding few in an invested way?
And could it be reasonably ascertained that if we struggle to invest in our neighbors, it is also a struggle to invest in our heavenly relationship? God seeks our hearts and desires us to pursue Him as He pursues us…to know Him:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” ~Matthew 7:21-23 NASB
This leads into a related, and just-as scary-hurdle…
2) Objectification: With emphasis on functioning quickly and with less time invested in others; such an environment breeds the dehumanization of people. People are objectified. Consider the typical corporate job in the United States or Europe. Employees are placed in departments, trained in some specialized role, and treated as person-ably as a cog in a wheel. If the employee fails to meet the metrics arbitrarily determined by a company executive he or she only knows in passing them through the hall, it is quite possible that he or she will need to start applying for a new job elsewhere.
And when someone spends more than forty-plus hours a week acting like a machine, what is the likelihood that he or she acts like a person when they go home to family? Uh-huh…
We are encouraged to make quick judgments about those we meet. How often do people profess, with pride, their ability to get accurate first impressions of others? As I can only speak for myself, I have always believed myself to be a good judge of character. Recently, I have come to believe that such deference to my own character judgments can be potentially detrimental in loving others.
Quick judgments are dangerous because if speaking in terms of statistical relevance, you’re working from a smaller sample-size, and the data set is observational—it is easy to skew such data through inference or similar-but-unrelated, prior experiences. For such reasons, when high-profile criminal cases are selecting jurors, potential jurors are asked if they were already aware of the circumstances surrounding the case. Typically, if potential jurors already possess knowledge of the events surrounding the case, such individuals are often dismissed, lest they be selected and influence the jury with circumstantial evidence that ultimately does not get permitted in the case.
We listen to our friends (which is typically good). We listen to our family (which can typically good too). We listen to brothers and sisters in Christ (more regularly good). We sometimes fail to 1) Listen to ourselves—to place weight on our own experience, and 2) allow time (i.e. patience/investment) to know the person. In only taking a moment, we can get caught looking at the exterior beauty, scan the surface, and assume that positive reactions or welcomed responses reflect substance and depth; therefore, placing an inflated value on what we see. Likewise, the opposite may also occur and we can be overly critical…all of it based on our first impression.
When I was a property adjuster in Metro Atlanta, I was astounded at how many insurance claims involved $600K – $800 residences—also known in common-speak as McMansions. At first glance, these homes were impressive; however, many of the damages arose from poor design and inferior materials. Many were recently built; most after 2000 AD. These homes had not stood the ultimate test—time. Yet, for those who had purchased them, they had initially passed the “eye test.”
For people, such as is the case with buildings, there is a need for a strong foundation, more specifically, one set upon Christ:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” ~Matthew 7:24-27
And since The Word emphasizes the need for patience in healthy relationships (Proverbs 15:18, Romans 15:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13-4-8a)—when we move too quickly to judge…loving becomes lip-service, actions become cliché, creativity becomes obsolete, and living is nothing of the sort as we conform (through ill-developed habits) to that which our culture has modeled:
“The greatest danger of copying culture, as a posture, is that it may well become all too successful. We end up creating an entire sub cultural world within which Christians comfortably move and have their being without ever encountering the broader cultural world they are imitating. We breed a generation that prefers facsimile to reality, simplicity to complexity (for cultural copying, almost by definition, ends up sanding off the rough and surprising edges of any cultural good it appropriates), and familiarity to novelty. Not only is this a generation incapable of genuine creative participation in the ongoing drama of human culture making, it is dangerously detached from a God who is anything but predictable and safe.”~ Culture Making, p. 94
Jesus was a polarizing figure in history (and still is); therefore, His reputation differs depending on the people with whom one speaks. While considered an influential rabbi, those that would have been considered His peers—the scribes and Pharisees—openly questioned His behavior. They found it unconscionable that Jesus would eat and drink with prostitutes and tax collectors (Mark 2:16, Matthew 9:11). Jesus’ actions were misinterpreted by those who failed to see the need for love, getting caught up with legalities (power/influence). Because He failed to conform to the culture of the time, the scribes and Pharisees judged His behavior negatively, never truly desiring to understand His loving intentions.
…how many of us are as guilty as the scribes and Pharisees of being white-washed tombs?
3) Laboring For Comfort: Never has it been so easy for a person in the developed world to survive. Quick access to food (not necessarily healthy). Comfortable furniture. Gadgets that make it easier to use other gadgets. More service-focused businesses targeting discretionary monies…
…And people collecting welfare. Unemployment checks for those both motivated and unmotivated to find new work. Executives laying off workers, but rewarding themselves with bonuses…
While I can only speak to what I see in the States, there is an ever-growing sense of entitlement, which correlates with a demotivation to work hard…
Yes, there are more people volunteering, though I would suggest that the intentions for many are self-serving (feel good, not glorify God)…which helps them feel justified in enjoying what luxuries they possess. It removes guilt.
…when teenagers are devastated because their parents won’t upgrade them to the latest iPhone, I have to fight back what may very well be righteous anger…I’m not sure.
…how dare those parents! 😉
Pursuit of comfort conflicts with two of Christ’s major messages: Suffering and servant-hood. Jesus’ half-brother James says that Christians should, “consider it a joy…when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance… (James 1:2-3).”
Jesus tells us that, “…Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28).”
This does not mean that one cannot be wealthy or experience comfort serving the Lord, but it would be surprising to me if there was not some trial, some suffering, that had to be endured for the glory of God at some juncture…though, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25).” This is something I take personally to heart, since I live in the United States (I’m wealthy when compared to the world population)…and my last name is Rich (yow-zahs!)…
THEREFORE, in cultivating Christ’s character, we should have a simple focus:
“Glorify God and enjoy Him.”
How can we do this? Love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40).
Loving as defined in scripture is not synonymous with loving as defined in our world, so rather than expounding on what I have written about previously, you can read my note on Humility and Love at your own leisure.
I would, however, like to provide some recommendations for successfully jumping over the hurdles that have been discussed. First, intentions are essential. Only Jesus knew the hearts of men, so we have to make sure that we do not assume the intentions of any action we do not understand. Instead we should seek to understand. This may require confronting through utilization of questions. Inquire about motivations for a particular action or actions. We are guaranteed to be surprised from time-to-time (sometimes positively…sometimes…not so much)
Second, deliberately invest in others with the Word driving your thought (Joshua 1:8). Think long-term, not short-term. Exhibit humility and patience (1 Corinthians 13:4), which supports long-term relationship. If we see the other person’s needs as more important than our own, then we are beginning to embrace the servant perspective endorsed by our Lord. Humility makes us tolerable for the other person too! Most people do not find it productive to be around someone that 1) thinks they are more valuable than others, and purports the attitude that 2) talking to others is more a means for self-approval, than glorifying God. Of course, to be authentic in such behavior does suggest that one is truly a Christian and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.
Also, embrace an attitude of gratitude and willingness to forgive when needed. When you’re the offender, be willing to ask for forgiveness. Having experienced the mercy of God, we should be able to serve with joy and gratitude, authentically treating others as “immortal souls.”
In our desire to grow in our faith and Christ’s likeness, it requires healthy community; fellowship with other believers (Matthew 18:20). Consequently, there must be a willingness to participate in spiritual transparency with those Christian brothers and sisters whom we call friends. Tim Keller provides beneficial commentary regarding the value of spiritual transparency amongst Christian friends in his book, The Meaning of Marriage:
“Christian friends are not only to honestly confess their own sins to each other (James 5:16), but they are to lovingly point out their friend’s sins if he or she is blind to them (Romans 15:14). You should give your Christian friends “hunting licenses” to confront you if you are failing to live in line with your commitments (Galatians 6:1). Christian friends are to stir one another up, even provoking one another to get them off dead center (Hebrews 10:24). This isn’t to happen infrequently but should happen at a very concrete level every day (Hebrews 3:13). Christian friends admit wrongs, offer or ask forgiveness (Ephesians 4:23), and take steps to reconcile when one disappoints another (Matthew 5:23ff; 18:15ff).” ~Meaning of Marriage p. 115
In conclusion, we must trust and allow the indwelt Holy Spirit to change our hearts through sanctification. May the Spirit mold our character through sanctification so we are “temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, [and] in perseverance (Titus 2:2).” In exemplifying the kind of character that is “good” and pleasing to God, we can be assured of holding a “good reputation” in the eyes of the One whose opinion ultimately matters.
Post Disclaimer/Disclosure: Please be aware that this note was written specifically for a Christian audience. The thoughts and opinions shared within it were researched and contemplated in a deliberate, yet non-academic, perspective. The note’s origin arose from a discussion with a loving friend who personally challenged me on similar subject matter. I make no claim that this is an authoritative work, but rather the outcome of a personal investigation that shares my thoughts, conclusions, and subsequent convictions based on my readings, conversations with friends/family, and life experiences. It may appear tangential to some, as it can be argued that much of the information I reference only loosely touches upon one another in content and context; using concepts and quotes from perspectives both biblical and secular in nature. However, if you were prompted to read this note, I hope that you have done so inquisitively; ultimately evaluating anything you found to be insightful and “Truth-bearing” through the one lens that matters…that of Christ through His Word.