Our Reputations Precedes Us
Scriptures: Judges 13-16; Acts 19:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:5
Introduction:
The word “reputation” is defined as “an estimation in which a person or thing is commonly held.” The key word in the definition is “estimation” coming from the word estimate which means to “form an opinion of.” Put simply, a reputation is an estimate and/or judgment made about someone or something in which that person or thing becomes known for. The reputation can be based on fact or fiction.
The title of my message this morning is “Our Reputations Precedes Us.” As we have begun a new year with new opportunities and goals, what people know of us will often impact how those opportunities play out and how we are able to reach our goals. Our reputations, good or bad, often precede us – meaning that people will often know something about us before they ever meet us. If someone refers you to a job the potential employer will want to know why you’re being recommended. When the person tells your story, what they say about you now becomes a part of your reputation with that employer. When you interview and are offered the job, you are now in a position to confirm your reputation. How this works in the business world is no different as to how this works in the spiritual world. I will speak more about this shortly.
Remember I told you that a reputation can be based on fact or fiction? Consider this question: What physical image of a man comes to your mind when I say the name Samson? Did you think about some muscle bound man who was extremely strong? Did you think about a mighty warrior? Most likely just the name itself made you think about someone who was strong and mighty. This is what we think about when we hear the name because of the one who originally had the name. Samson was one of the judges of Israel who was responsible for delivering the Children of Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. This name is so powerful that people name their pets this name to signify the power of the pet (for example a large dog). When someone hears the name they think about power, strength and might. They see in their minds someone who is very strong and has plenty of muscles. Everything we think about when it comes to the name Samson is based on the “reputation” of the biblical Samson who was a one man army in and of himself. So let’s review some verses in the Bible relating to Samson demonstrating his strength and then I want to ask you another question. Turn with me Judges Chapter fourteen.
I. The Strength of Samson
As I stated a few minutes ago, when we think of Samson we think about a muscle bound mighty warrior who was extremely strong. In Judges Chapter thirteen we read about the angel appearing to Samson’s parents letting them know that they would have a son who would be a Nazarite – dedicated to God from his birth to his death. His mother was forbidden from eating anything unclean or drinking any wine or strong drink while she was pregnant with him nor was a razor ever to cut his hair after he was born. This is what was told his parents. Notice there was no description given of how he would look or how strong he would be. Let’s read some verses when Samson strength was on display.
Judges 14:5-6: “Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath; and behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand; but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.”
Judges 14:19: “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.”
Judges 15:14-15: “And when he came unto Lehi the Philistines shouted against him; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put for his hand, and took it and slew a thousand men therewith.
Judges 16:17, 20, 28-30: “That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, ‘There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb; if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man….And she said, ‘The Philistines be upon thee Samson.’ And he awoke out of his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him….And Samson called unto the Lord, and said ‘O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”
In these verses that we read, did you read in any of them that the things Samson did were under his own strength? No! The Bible says repeatedly that “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.” Are you seeing where I am going with this? We have absolutely no description of what Samson looked like. We have no description of whether he had muscles or was skinny. The Philistines were constantly trying to find out where his strength came from which could be interpreted that he looked like everyone else. Even a man with muscles could not have done some of the things Samson did. Whether he was fat or muscle bound we do not know. All we know is that he exhibited strength when the Spirit of Lord came upon him. Based on what we actually know Samson could have been a normal looking guy who had great strength when the Spirit of Lord came upon him. His strength was tied to his hair. He was a Nazarite, dedicated to God. When his hair was gone so was his strength. It stands to reason that if he had been some large muscle bound man he might have been able to fight off some of the Philistines even without his hair. Samson confessed that his strength was tied to his hair as he was a servant of God.
After he was captured, his hair began to grow back. The Philistines apparently thought it was a one and done and they did not monitor his hair – their mistake! When his hair grew back, his strength returned. His final act was to ask God to allow him his strength one last time and God did it. My point with this is that our description of Samson physical body is totally made up based on his display of strength. In other words, the reputation of his physical looks was made up based on what a “strong” person would look like in our opinions! We do not know for sure what he looked like but I am sure not many people think of a skinny man when they envision what Samson looked like. Let’s look at another example, one that deals with someone’s spiritual reputation.
II. The Seven Sons of Sceva
In this example we find the seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out a demonic spirit. What they did not know was that the spirit they were trying to cast out did not know them as they knew of Paul. Paul had a reputation and was known by the spirit, these men did not have a reputation nor were they known. Let’s read this story.
“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, ‘We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.’ And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?’ And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:13-16)
I told you earlier how our reputation works in the natural with the example of someone referring you to a job. I told you that it also works this way spiritually. We have a spiritual reputation, whether we realize it or not – if we are doing the work of the Lord. I am not talking about people who are in ministry; I am talking about every child of God. We have a spiritual reputation that spiritual forces recognize. Have you ever thought about this? If God needs someone to get a job done, is your spiritual reputation such that God knows that you will do it? When Satan brings temptations our way, is our spiritual reputation one that says that we will give in or is it one that tells Satan not to bother? We have a spiritual reputation and if it is not what you think it should be it is not too late to improve upon it. You see, with God we can erase our previous reputation, but it will take some work.
In the Scripture we just read we find the story of the seven sons of Sceva. They had witnessed the miracles that Paul had done in their city and they decided to join the bandwagon. So they called a man to them that had an evil spirit and tried to cast the spirit out by “the Jesus that Paul preached.” The demonic spirit told them that he knew Jesus and he knew Paul, but he did not know them. You see, they did not know Jesus themselves from which the power lies. They did not have a connection to the force nor were they doing anything for God that would make the demonic spirit take notice of them. Not only was the demonic spirit not intimidated by them, he actually jumped them and beat them up. How did this happen? Even though they used the name of Jesus, they had no connection to Him. Paul was connected to Jesus, they were not. You can carry the name of Christian, but that don’t make you one. It’s the decision that we make in our hearts – that sets us apart. They did not have a reputation so the demonic spirit had no problem ignoring them and showing them who had the power in that situation. Do you see this? What is your reputation – your natural reputation and most importantly, your spiritual reputation?
Conclusion
Our reputations precede us. People will hear of us and sometimes make decisions about us long before they ever meet us face to face. This will be based on what they have heard “about” us – our reputation. Our reputations should be something that we protect and are proud of. It should be something that we have worked for and continue to work “on” to ensure that it is not lost. This is important because our children will have to live “through” our reputation. They will be known by us until they begin to establish their own reputation. The last thing that we need is to have such a bad reputation that our children must fight to overcome ours in order to make their own way. Some children are able to do this, others are not. I am talking about how things work in the natural now.
Let’s consider the impact of a strong spiritual reputation. If you’re walking with God, the Spirit of God that operates in your life will also be linked to your children. They will be able to see how you allow God to operate through you and it opens the door for them to allow God to operate in them. Your faith is the key that help unlock your child’s faith in God. Remember what Paul said to Timothy? He said “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5) Paul told Timothy that the faith that was in his grandmother and mother was also within him. You see, his grandmother and mother walked with God in such a way that their faith planted the seed within Timothy which grew and enabled him to become a pastor. When we read this verse Paul is actually speaking of the reputations of his grandmother and mother which was now fostering his reputation. Can you see this?
Our reputation precedes us and it lays a foundation (good or bad) for our children. This applies to our natural reputation and our spiritual one. Do you know what your reputation is spiritually? Do you understand that your spiritual reputation can guide and help establish your natural reputation? Do you understand that how you walk in this world with Christ will impact how you do things in the natural which impacts your natural reputation? We cannot separate our natural reputation from our spiritual one.
What is your spiritual reputation? Can God count on you?
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
