Redemption or Replacement

Build a Reputation

Reputations are important. They tell you more about a person’s character than their words ever should. Words can be used to create and project an image. Words cannot create a reputation. Good or bad, it takes time to build. A good reputation is priceless. You have to earn it with years of consistency. On the other hand, the same is true in reference to a bad reputation. They can be damning. Rightfully so. Houses of cards created for a reason.

Having a bad reputation isn’t the end. Realizing it is just a crossroads. There are two paths to follow. Two choices. Restore or replace. One is acceptable, the other is not.

Restoration. You can begin walking the long path of restoration. That path requires discipline, courage, self-awareness and honesty, integrity, consistency, and time. Lots of time. Patience will be necessary too. It takes time to crawl out of the hole and fill it back up with dirt but it is worth it.

People who have acquired a bad reputation are not typically eager to devote themselves to that honorable but difficult path of restoration and redemption. So they choose to replace their reputation. To do this they create an image. A product. Essentially it is a character that they play, not who they really are.

1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Good and bad movements all over America are littered with these parasites. These opportunistic leeches who have come out of the depths and attach themselves to something good. They can play the villain or the hero. It doesn’t matter. This isn’t about principles to the leech. They sold those out long ago. To the leech this only about how they can benefit personally.

Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

They are truly wolves in sheep’s clothing. They hide their reputations as wolves under the image of “sheep’s clothing”. Simply creating an image, project it out, and protect it at all costs. Then they walk amongst the sheep collecting donations and recognition based on lies.

These types of people must be purged from our movements. Divided.

Division from a good thing is bad. Yet, division from bad things is good.

Proverbs 13:20 – “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

It is in those situations that division can be a good and healthy thing. We need division. Sometimes it is exactly what we need. Yet we remain reluctant to apply the necessary judgement. Even when we know standards and integrity must be protected. Sometimes division is necessary to do that.

Divide the wheat from the chaff.

Romans 16:17-19 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Luke 6:22 – “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.”

I spoke and continue to speak truth about opportunists among us. They always respond the same way. With lies. Truth does not pass through their lips very often. Trust is not valued.

In contrast I believe that the people come first. Trust can never be broken or we lose. We must retain that trust at all costs. The one thing I don’t want to be is “like everyone else”.

I tell the truth about them and they tell lies about me. I expect it. For years these sunshine patriots have been trying to take me down. They don’t have the reputation, the credibility, the weapons, or a sharp enough tongue to do that.

Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn.”

My reputation speaks truth louder than their lies.

Santa’s helpers, plumbers, ponies, and captains of nothing. Crafty gypsy queens, insects and anarchists. Culdoscopes, pee-pads, and chemical attacks. Doxing, death threats, and D.C. rats.

If I had a bad reputation, I would have been vulnerable to their attacks. However, since I have a great reputation, I didn’t even have to respond. My reputation truly spoke for me.

Romans 12:19 – “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

I’ve been called a lot of things by a lot of triggered people over the years.

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” - Ben Franklin

Focusing on reputation builds an image. Focusing on character builds a reputation.

Don’t create an image.

Build a reputation

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