Tested and Approved: 21 Lessons for Life and Ministry预览

Day One: We Will Be Known by the Fruit We Produce

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad” (Matthew 12:33 NLT).

Businesses today focus on brand identity and social media positioning. They create social media posts to promote their products and support their identities. Celebrities and politicians spend many hours and much money establishing and protecting their reputations and the brands they represent. Do these public figures and companies know something that we should pay attention to in our own lives? The Bible seems to say so. In Proverbs 22:1, King Solomon wrote:

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold (ESV).

How much time do you spend thinking about your “name” or your reputation and the fruit your life produces? How much concern do you give to the character and integrity that your life reflects and how you are creating a culture and heritage for your family?

In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel gave King Saul an assignment. He told Saul to attack the Amalekites and completely destroy them and everything they owned. Saul did attack and defeat the Amalekites, but he didn’t destroy everyone and everything after his army won. Instead, he spared the Amalekite king and kept some of the livestock and property. Saul didn’t consider that his actions would have dire consequences. As he celebrated the victory, God regretted that He had made Saul king. The Lord sent Samuel to confront Saul about his half-hearted, disobedient actions. Samuel told him that the Lord had selected another king to take Saul’s place. Saul immediately regretted his behavior and wanted to change the result, so he pleaded for Samuel to return with him before the people. Saul wanted to invoke Samuel’s name and reputation to cover his sin, hoping the people would see him positively. If Saul had only understood God’s desire for obedience over sacrifice and considered the consequences of his actions before it was too late, then he might have done the right thing and remained as king. Samuel’s good name would not save Saul because Saul had squandered his own reputation.

A good name is worth more than great riches. Your name reflects the reputation of your character and the fruit of your actions. Your values form the foundation for your actions and behavior. If you choose to act in ways you know are wrong, then your bad reputation will follow. If you choose to obey God with your actions, then your good reputation will follow as well.

Consider: If someone were to write a statement about your reputation, what would you ultimately like it to say? Would they be able to say that right now? Why or why not?

Holy Spirit, bring me to a place of freedom and fruitfulness in my life. Show me how I can have the kind of reputation that will bring glory to my Father. In Jesus’s name, Amen.