I didn’t hear those exact words, but the sentiment was the same. I took it as a compliment, but in reality, it could go either way.

It is said your reputation is what others think of you. Your character is who you are when no one is around. Character should take higher importance for all of us.

There was a book written many years ago called, Dress for Success. The author gave ideas and suggestions for how to dress to be considered a leader by others. Of course, the “look” had to be backed up by the substance, the ability to do the job. The look may have built a reputation of sorts, but something inside the person needed to back it up.

You may have experienced what I have. You buy a name-brand piece of clothing, famous for its style and quality, only to find the company has lowered its standards to make more sales. Disappointing at best.

Reputations are built over time. And those reputations, driven by a lack of character, can lead to challenges in our lives. This is especially true if we lead Christian ministries or organizations.

Jehoram was appointed king after the death of his father, Jehoshaphat. Jehoram’s father and grandfather built reputations as good kings. Jehoram could have followed the legacy left by those who led before him. But he didn’t. And it didn’t take long for all around him to see Jehoram for who he really was. Chronicles tells the brief and sad story:

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.

2 Chronicles‬ 21‬:20‬ NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

What a legacy! No one was sorry when he died.

What is your reputation? What do others think of you and your leadership? Is the character of your life directing your actions, or are you driven by something else?

The Lord reminds us through the apostle Luke that it can all come tumbling down, as it did for Jehoram.

For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

Luke 8:17 NLT

Be careful with your good reputation. It is fragile.

God’s best,