5 Proven ways to Have “A Good Name”
What do you think about when hearing the words, “A good name?” Better yet, WHO do you think OF when hearing those words?
Biblically, we can think of Job. “a man…that was perfect, upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
Also, we can think of Paul. God changed Paul’s direction and made him a missionary, a disciple-maker, a church planter, and a mentor.
[Tweet “Paul went from killing Christians to being killed as a Christian.”]
Not only are there examples found in the Bible, but I’m sure you can think of someone in your own life that have a good name.
Someone that tries their best in all they do and tries to exceed the expectations of life. Maybe they’re a pure and godly person who places God as their authority and seeks to help others.
With all these people with good names in mind, the most important question we must ask ourselves is,
“What do OTHERS think when they hear MY name?”
Don’t you want to be a Job or a Paul to someone else?
Having a good name is seen as a two-fold picture.
First, a good name has a reputation.
When hearing the name of someone you think highly of, you automatically think of their actions.
What they’ve done for you or how they’ve impacted others.
Someone who seems honest, genuine, trustworthy, helpful, wise, strong and the list can go on and on. But, we must understand that a reputation is only what we SEE.
Anyone can appear to be honest, genuine, etc., but that doesn’t mean they ARE these things.
The words “seems” and “appears to be” are reasons why a good name is two-fold.
Secondly, a good name has integrity.
Simply put, it’s having a good reputation when no one is there to witness it.
Integrity is not two-faced.
A good name is the same person in public as they are behind closed doors.
They don’t commit sinful acts in public, nor in secret because they’re aware of the consequences.
They’re pure on the outside as well as on the inside.
[Tweet “A good name practices what they preach!”]
Anyone can have a reputation, but you can’t have a good reputation without integrity backing it up.
This is what a good name looks like.
Now that we have a “good picture,” how does the Bible portray a good name?
Proverbs 22:1-4 – “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.”
In this passage, there are three values of a good name.
First, there’s a non-monetary value.
In other words, a good name is priceless! It’s “rather be chosen than great riches.”
But, why?
You may think, “If I was rich, people would value me more than the person that has nothing to give. I will be more useful to them when meeting their needs.”
You’re absolutely correct… for meeting their physical need for money.
But what about their emotional need?
Or their spiritual need?
In light of these other needs, are riches really that valuable?
Money is not always the answer.
Today, the world lies to us and says that we cannot find true happiness unless we have a pocket full of cash.
The Bible says in Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth.”
Also, in 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says, “…for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
[Tweet “Don’t value things that won’t last.”]
A good name understands the value of advice and guidance that can change a life.
Yes, money can help in the moment, but pointing someone in the right direction is far more valuable in one’s life.
It’s true when they say, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”
When the Bible says that a good name is rather to be CHOSEN, it’s simply pointing out that obtaining “good name status” is not by having money, but rather having integrity and a pure reputation.
Being ready to help with any need. Being approachable. People will choose you because of your character and faith in God.
The second value of a good name the personal value.
The Bible says in verse three that “a prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself …”
Being “prudent” means you are cautious of your surroundings and always ready to make a move in the right direction.
So, you can say that a good name is being proactive!
The personal value of being proactive in your spiritual life is saving you from a world of sin.
The reason why someone has a good name is that they are cautious of their sinful flesh and proactively putting themselves out of a tempting situation.
For example, one evening a husband decided to make dinner for his wife. He chose the classic spaghetti with sauce as the entree.
After surprising his wife and having a wonderful dinner, it was time to clean up the mess in the kitchen. The husband decided to put it off until the next morning.
Well, to his surprise, it took him twice as long to do the dishes because of the sauce staining the pots and pans overnight.
Don’t you think it would have been easier to clean everything before it became stained?
Of course!
In light of this story, my pastor once told me, “it’s easier to keep the heart clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled.”
Don’t put yourself in a tempting situation that you know you will struggle to get out of.
With that, be aware of where you are going and avoid the wrong path.
Don’t be around people who drink if you struggle with alcohol.
Don’t search the internet in a private location if you struggle with pornography.
Be proactive and predict the evil coming ahead.
Thirdly, a good name has a godly value.
“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.”
This verse shows piousness in the Christian life. Being humble and in reverence to God in your walk.
Definition of pious
Piousness means to have or show a dutiful spirit of reverence to God; an earnest wish to fulfill complete obedience to God and His Word.
Someone that has a good name is seen doing this very thing.
My pastor often times talks about the laws of sowing and reaping. If we choose to sow the Word of God in our lives, we will reap the benefits of God’s blessings. We will become more like Christ in our walk and our lives will become more valuable to the work of God.
To have godly value is to desire God, His Word, and His work!
Conclusion.
I encourage you to desire to have a good name. A good name is seeing the importance, worth, and usefulness of being priceless, proactive and pious.
A verse that wraps up the picture of someone with a good name and their desire for Christ is John 3:30. “He must increase, but I MUST decrease.”
Again, “What do OTHERS think when they hear MY name?” They should think of the GOOD NAME of Christ and Christ alone.
What meaning does your name have?
Are you leaving a legacy that points toward God?
What areas of your life would you like God to change?
Let’s talk about them.
Leave your comments below.
