Care too much about reputation

Hello yjyj,

Something that comes to my mind is Jesus Christ and how he handled his own reputation. He was lowly; and people mocked him, laughed at him, did not even believe him, they desired to kill him because He was living rightly among them, He always called out in prayer to His Father. He also someone who loved God, others, and truth. Truth is a great thing to obtain.

You can hold yourself in a certain way; though the bible makes it clear that we should love our neighbour as ourselves, not being judgmental of others.

Provers 19:8 He/She who gets wisdom loves his/her own soul; He/her who keeps understanding will find good.

Just made this if you are interested it is long but am teaching about James chapter 2:

(34 M. Video - Teaching) James 2:1-14

Yjyj said:

Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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We should only care about our reputation before God.

Jesus said,
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,

Yjyj said:

Is caring about reputation related to pride? I do my best to maintain good reputation but it can becoming worrying. Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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Welcome! It honors our Father when we walk unstained by the lusts of the flesh, our reputation. We represent Him and I am certain how we are percieved by others reflects on Him. Pride is something quite different though. It can lead to a less than ideal love for others. Be blessed.

Yjyj said:

Is caring about reputation related to pride? I do my best to maintain good reputation but it can becoming worrying. Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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If it is all about status and prestige then yes, that's pride. But we should care about our reputation in a holy way.

A good name is better than fine perfume. Ecclesiastes 7:1

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:7

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

Yjyj said:

Is caring about reputation related to pride?

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Your example can be what gets your reputation. You want to be a good example, so your reputation can be good because of your good example helping other people. But, of course, you can not control how people see you. So, be God's good example, so at least people see what is good, even if they take it the wrong way.

Yjyj said:

I do my best to maintain good reputation but it can becoming worrying.

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It depends on what is supposed to give you a good reputation. I have been brought up where I could be shamed if I did not conform to people who were selfish. So, if I conformed to them so they said nice things about me, that might not mean I had a reputation that was truly good.

In any case, we should not do things only because of fear. Jesus has us doing what is good . . . because of love.

Yjyj said:

Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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We need to care about our example. And we care about how people react > I mean, we pray for God to bless people to benefit from our good example.

I now think of this > you can be famous, and be accepted because you have somehow pleased a lot of selfish people. But the best way to be famous is because you have been kind to some person, and have helped him or her to find out how to love. The fame you have with that one person is greater than the fame of pleasing billions of selfish people.

"quality, not quantity"

Speaking of myself alone, yes, it's very important. Reputation proceeds you. It says a lot about your character, experiences, and beliefs. It's easy to say something and another thing to live by that standard.

I want to be a positive reflection of my faith and family. Being a good example matters. We have enough of the other. I don't want to add my name to that. Life isn't just about me. I have a duty to my loved ones. They've supported me all my life and are my biggest cheerleaders. I don't want to let them down.

I want to contribute to those who follow. That requires me to be someone who's respectable and worth respecting. Not because we're related, friends, or share the same beliefs. But wholly because they see something in me that's worth emulating.

I don't want a pass. I want to be the genuine article. I guard my reputation carefully. Maintaining that stance has served me well.

~bella

Yjyj said:

Is caring about reputation related to pride? I do my best to maintain good reputation but it can becoming worrying. Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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Caring about reputation is not necessarily pride. A Christian must care about his/her conduct, strive for a good name, think about what ever is commendable & honourable.

But, all this with an aim to glorify God and NOT to glorify "self". Also, it shouldn't be to please people, but only to please GOD.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-8 - "A good name is better than precious ointment..."

Proverbs 22:1 - "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches..."

1 Peter 2:12 - "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Yjyj said:

Is caring about reputation related to pride? I do my best to maintain good reputation but it can becoming worrying. Is it alright for Christians not to care about reputation?

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Caring about reputation can be a good or bad thing. If you care too much, then you're living to please people. If you care too little, then you're not going to check yourself as you should, and you may have a problem with arrogance. Thread the needle.

When contemplating a particular action or saying something, one can be aware of the effect such action or words might have.

The Christian should not change what he would do or say to curry favor or gain approval. However, we should also consider if our words or actions would cause unnecessary offense.

Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are supposed to make ourselves of no reputation, and yes seeking reputation is of pride which God resists.