It Doesn’t Matter

It doesn’t matter what people think about you.

Ok, then what does matter? Because it sure seems like everywhere I turn, opportunities (especially in ministry) are built upon what other people think of you. If you’re a passionate preacher, people will like you and invite you to speak at their revival or summer camp. If you’re funny, they’ll want you back to fill the pulpit when the Pastor’s on vacation. If you have a reputation of being an effective evangelist, they’ll want you to preach at the next church association meeting/convention. The Bible tells us to be of a good report. So you tell me what people say doesn’t matter, but it sure looks like it does. If they’ve heard you’re trouble, fallen from grace, undeserving, unqualified, or someone with continued moral failings, don’t expect a phone call. So what people think, matters a great deal.

Taking this a little different direction, but I have to ask: why do you do what you do? You may think this question has nothing to do with this topic, but bare with me and ask yourself, why do I do what I do? The answer to why you what you do will help establish what your reputation is built upon. When it comes to a reputation, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but how long until you fool yourself? You know who you are better than anyone (well… read on).

In Revelation chapter three, Jesus is speaking to a church in the city of Sardis, an ancient city in Turkey located in whats now known as Sart in the Manisa Province. Read here what He says,

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:1‬

You can fool people, eventually fool yourself, think no one knows you more than you, but Jesus knows you better than you. You can tell a lie so much, you begin to believe it, but you can lie to Jesus all you want; He is the Truth – He knows the truth. “I know your deeds;” In other words, “you can’t fool me.” The Sardis Church had a reputation of being alive, perhaps being a big megachurch, but Jesus knew who they really were… Dead.

The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but had a character that was dead. This is exactly why, why you do what you do, matters. If you spend all your time making good moral decisions because you want people to think you’re a good person without any sense of morality, it will catch up with you if not in this life, the next. If you’re waiting for marriage to have sex, for fear of getting caught, you’ll think one day you’ve outsmarted everyone. If you stay with your spouse for the kids, the kids will eventually grow up. If you preach to impress, they’ll find the next shiny penny to stare at. If you do what you do with a complete lack of God in the equation, with the absence of morality and integrity, you can’t expect a good reputation.

If you currently have a bad reputation, whether it’s your fault or not, doing what you do for the sake of a good reputation will leave you feeling lost. Never mind how important your reputation is, how important is your character? Do what you do for the sake of Christ. Knowing Christ is great, making Him known is a fulfillment of your purpose.

Unlike so many critics, when Jesus exposes a problem, He provides a remedy for change. The Sardis Church had problem, but Jesus offered a solution for them as well as for you:

“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.”

Revelation 3:2-3

The solution is simple. Go back to where you started. Have you seen God move mountains? Start there. If you have to go back to the day you were saved, start there. It took the death of Christ and subsequent resurrection to save you. That event is plenty to build on. Stop worrying about what people think of you. Facebook feeds everywhere is evidence that people will believe anything anymore. If it’s false, it will prove to be so. True character is far more important than a good reputation. Cling to people who know your character. Heed what they think. People will come and go. They’re your fan when you’re succeeding and pretend to not even know you when you’re struggling. Why do we look to people like that for value? If they’re saying God’s done with you, going to church, having a strong social media game, and looking the part may fool them into thinking you’re wrong, but if your character is not God honoring…

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:9‬

It doesn’t hurt to surround yourself with people who care more about your character than your reputation. If they only care about your reputation, and you continue making mistakes, they’ll do what they can to sweep your sin under the rug. That isn’t tackling the issue. King David wrote amazing music we have recorded in Scripture and he killed a Giant with a rock and a sling shot, but had Nathan not cared about David’s character, he wouldn’t have the reputation he has today.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:33-34‬

To the people who don’t know you, it really doesn’t matter what they think. You can’t base what you think of you on what someone thinks of you. If a reporter doesn’t have all the facts, how valid is his story? You know the facts, you know you. Why stop doing what God’s called you to do because of some critics? You’re going to mess up and there will always be an audience that’s defines you by that; your faith needs to be louder. Surround yourself by people who know your character and will help keep that in check. This doesn’t mean surrounding yourself with yes-men. I have quite a few people in my life now that have told me no when I wanted it to be a yes, or worse, wait. Making a mistake in the Christian faith can be one of the loneliest roads because you’ll feel so isolated. Some people don’t want to be seen with a broken Christian. The toxic environment of competitiveness has shadowed the environment of grace for many people. They struggle in seeing the need and rather, look at how bad it may look befriending you. Invest in people who want to invest in you. Love people who need to be loved (that’s everybody).

It doesn’t matter what people think about you. Your integrity matters. Who you are when no one is looking matters. A Christian cannot effectively carry out one’s purpose without a strong character. If your integrity is weak, you cannot expect a great reputation. Changing a bad reputation into a good one without integrity is not just hard, it’s impossible. There are some people’s opinions, you’ll never change and we can call it unfair or label those who falsely label you something ungodly, but call it consequences, forgive, and move forward. The best and most effective opinion you can change is your own. If you can’t embrace you, why expect others to? If you’re going to base what you think of yourself on what others are saying, focus on what Christ thinks of you (read Romans). As toxic as believing your positive reputation (despite your lack of character) is, believing you’re a loser because that’s what people think (even though you have strong integrity) is just as damaging. Remember, sin doesn’t have the last word; grace does. Signing out for now. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for reading.