One of the most important things you will ever own is not your house, your intelligence, your good looks, nor your wealth. Your most valuable asset is your name.
When your name is uttered, what connotation does it bring to hearers’ ears? Do they first contemplate, “Oh, he has lied in the past, so chances are what he says may not be the truth”?
When you are mentioned, do they giggle and remember all the foolish things you have done, and because of your past, refuse to take anything you do seriously? Does the label “adulterer” flash through their minds when you are mentioned because of sinful behavior in the past? Are you branded as a cheat forever because of having been caught in class many years ago? When “hard worker” is mentioned, is your name the first one they think of? Are you always remembered positively because of your concern and care for others?
What we do or say usually burns an impression in people’s minds of who they think we are and what they think of us and our character. It is an impression that is difficult to change or erase from their memory. The value others put on our name often dictates how we will be treated by them. It may affect job placement; how we are treated in school, or even who will agree to marry us. Others’ opinions and thoughts when our name is mentioned have a lot to do with who we are and who we will be.
Most of the references in the Bible using “name” have to do with God’s name. All through the Bible, His name has earned others’ respect. His name stands for justice, truthfulness, faithfulness, one who is able to do the “impossible,” and the one to go to in time of need.
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Psalms 8:9 Also: Psalms 8:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 102:15, Isaiah 9:6
The Bible does have something to say about the values our name can have. Here is some of what the Bible says our name can mean to others:
- The Bible says the reputation your name brings is of great value.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 - Do good and the right thing, and your name will have a positive meaning to many. Do wrong, and your name will be forgotten, or it will not be a pleasant memory to those that know you. If your name has a negative connotation, it is usually no one’s fault but your own.
“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Proverbs 10:7 - An ointment may be fragrant and smell good to many, but it will not affect as many as will one with a good reputation. The loss of such a wondrous person with a good name will be a great tragedy to those that were touched by his life.
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 - God will not honor the reputation of those that did not honor him.
“Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” Psalms 9:5 - Those that love God will have a good reputation for doing so.
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” I Corinthians 8:3
Our lives impact many. What impact did we leave in their minds when we interacted with them? What do others think when they remember us?
To keep a good reputation: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
— I Thessalonians 5:22
Bro Brinkworth,
I think it is important how others view us as representatives of Christ. We cannot make everyone happy, but I have encountered a man lately that let me see myself as he saw me, and I it was convicting.
This man is no saint. He is a decent guy, but lost. I had some potential business dealings with him and they were not going the way I wanted them to go. I reminded him how he would not be in a position to be involved whatsoever if I had not invited him. To this he became angry and said these words to me “You are exactly what people say you are, you are the most conniving individual”. It floored me; both his implication and the wider implication that he had this discussion with others.
I started by apologizing right then. I was angry too, no way around that. However, as time has passed, I can see that perhaps God put him in my path to give me that little message. I was pushing too hard. I was using my position to produce MY intended result. I realized that there were others, who aren’t so bold that I was running over, thinking I was doing the right thing. I suppose there is not much wrong with that by the world’s standards, but in our economy and culture, those outcomes just don’t matter that much. We should be taking a longer view of things. The truth is, I have already gained all, I have no need of temporal victory here on earth, as much as I may desire it or think it wise.
I thank God that man fell in my path when he did. Our name is HIS name, our actions are what people will perceive as His reflection. I want to do that right.
Most of us have also had similar humbling experiences. A wise person does something about the rebuke. You did the right thing in obeying the Holy Spirit’s conviction. That change will make your name even brighter in some eyes.
You hit nail right on the head. “Do good and the right thing, and your name will have a positive meaning to many.” And it won’t hurt if your Father and Mother have a good name. I preach a sermon a while back and this is how it started:
Names… My Father’s name was Thomas. (Twin) (doubting Thomas) My mother’s name is Mary Elizabeth. (Virgin mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist)
My grandfather was named Peter. (Stone) Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
My great grandmother was named Sarah. (lady, princess, noblewoman) (Abraham ‘s wife)
My oldest son middle name is Hosea. (Salvation) (Messenger for God) – A cousin name Michael. (a great angel of God)
My youngest son name is Steven David. first martyr of Christianity, (Beloved King David)
I have a grandson name is James. (Brother of Jesus)
I had an uncle and I have a cousin named John. (Gracious) (John The Baptist) – Granddaughter name Naomi. Mother-in-law of Ruth.
I had an uncle and cousin named Moses. (son or deliverer) (told pharaoh let my people go – the parting of the red sea)
But out of all those names, only one name has the power to save, And that’s the name of Jesus! Because Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
God bless you, keep up this good work.