The Cambridge Dictionary defines reputation as the opinion that people in general have about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behaviour or character.
The character of every individual is built on his/her reputation that affects other people in the community.
Aristotle the legendary Greek philosopher said, “Man is by nature a social animal. He further explained that an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. This means society is something that precedes the individual”.
Man cannot live alone. He must satisfy certain natural basic needs in order to survive. He has to enter into relationships with his fellowmen for living a life.
People lose their reputations that have been in existence for so many years with respect to acts that are seen as unacceptable.
This is what Matthew 5:13 has to tell us. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
So in a situation where an individual seems to be doing things that culturally shocks people or goes against the norms in the society, he/she is considered as tarnishing his/her image hence losing all the respects and reputations he/she has earned.
There are so many positive and negative behaviors that are seen as tools and instruments in building reputations.
As an individual, if you want those living with you to respect your reputation , you have to:
*Express appreciation to someone who helps you.
*Give credit to others.
*Ask questions.
*Be careful about complaining.
*Come up with solutions for problems.
*Admit it/apologize when you’re wrong.
*Tell/commend people when they do a good job.
*Don’t make excuses. (Take responsibility).
*Welcome criticisms.
*Don’t talk unnecessarily
*Don’t wait to be instructed.
*Concede defeat honorably
*Make peace with others.
The above are my personal opinions as said by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:12.
The following are the behaviors that tarnish one’s reputation as have been captured with Bible verses.
- Bad communication……………………………………(Proverbs 18:13)
- Infidelity (womanizing).…………………………….(1Corinthians 6:18)
- Theft (stealing)……………………………………..….(Ephesians 4:28)
- Bad company…………………………………..…(1 Corinthians 15:33)
- Not controlling oneself…………………………….….(Proverbs 12:16)
- Love for money……………………………….…….(Ecclesiastes 5:10)
- Indecent Dressing…………………………….……( 1 Timothy 2:9-10)
- Possessing a bad name…………………………….…..( Proverbs 22:1)
- Being jealous or envy………………………………….……..( Job 5:2)
- Anger……………………………………..…………. ( James 1:19-20)
- Corruption……………………………………..……….. (Hosea 9:6-9)
One shall be condemned when he/she is committed to the above acts, shall be alienated with the society, and be regarded as a non-conformist to the word of God.
