Character is Most Important

 

“The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation.

The truth you believe determines your character.”

Author Unknown

This quote succinctly explains the difference between reputation and character.  Because our lives are so transparent now, scandal experts are hired to provide damage control for their clients. They clean up the public image but unless the heart is changed bad decisions will continue to happen.

Damaged public  images like that of a recently fired college football coach. A motorcycle accident with a pretty young woman in tow exposed his true character on a national platform. Not the accident itself but the revelations that followed. At the press conference following the incident he never mentioned that anyone else was on the bike. There were witnesses to the accident so it didn’t take reporters long to sniff out the truth. The truth about the female companion and their affair. This man is married with four children. Rewind the tape to January and he was a hero because of what he had accomplished on the field, but time revealed his true character.  It always does.

The exterior doesn’t always match the interior so while someone appears to have a good reputation, he or she may have a rotten core. I’ve encouraged you to guard your reputation and part of this process is by guarding who you spend time with. Ask God for character discernment toward others who come into your life. Male or female. He will reveal the truth to you.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

Encouragement:

Ladies, this subject is so near and dear to my heart. Your circle of friends is your circle of influence which also means you can be negatively influenced, and it’s not something you’ll ever outgrow. Please be bold enough to end a relationship where you’ve discerned a person’s character is questionable. Jesus still wants you to love this person so please communicate this to them, but distance must happen. Pray hard for them. I have complete confidence in you!

Know I’m praying for you,

Sherry