Day 286 – Reputation

Proverbs 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

God’s names:

Yeshuwa – Jesus

Kurios – Supreme Authority

Iesous – Jesus

Huios – Son

Theos – Supreme Divinity

Hagios Pneuma – Sacred, Holy, Violent Breath, Wind, Spirit

Christos – Anointed One, Messiah

God’s character:

Integrity

How do people see you? What kind of reputation do you have among your friends and colleagues? Can they depend on you, or do they overlook you in favor of someone else more dependable?

Solomon said a person with integrity walked securely; people could depend on him. However, everyone knew those who were out for themselves and didn’t care what they did to get what they wanted. People knew them and stayed away from them.

As Christians, your reputation preceded you. People knew what kind of person you were before you opened your mouth. An example of that is the Apostle Paul. He persecuted Christians, had them imprisoned, stoned to death, and sought them for destruction before he encountered Yeshuwa on the Road to Damascus. People feared him. They wanted nothing to do with him. It took Barnabus to speak on his behalf before anyone would trust him and his conversion as real.

Acts 9:1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of Kurios, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 He said, “Who are You, Kurios?” Then Kurios said, “I am Iesous, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 Then he, trembling and astonished, said, “Kurios, what do You want me to do?” Then Kurios said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul rose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. However, they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him Kurios said in a vision, “Ananias.” He said, “Here I am, Kurios.” 11 Then Kurios said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Kurios, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind everyone who call on Your name.” 15 However, Kurios said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, Kurios Iesous, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Hagios Pneuma.” 18 At once there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized. 19 When he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 He preached the Christos in the synagogues, that He is the Huios of Theos. 21 Then everyone who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 However, Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Iesous is the Christos.

 23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 However, their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. 26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were afraid of him and did not believe he was a disciple. 27 However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He declared to them how he had seen Kurios on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Iesous. 28 Thus, he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 He spoke boldly in the name of Kurios Iesous and disputed against the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him.

Did anyone need to speak for you when you became a Christian so people would know your faith and intentions were real? Reputations are hard to overcome. Your new friends will vouch for you, and your old friends will try to harm you. You might wonder if your new faith in Christos is worth everything you’re experiencing. The answer is yes.

People know you for good or ill. What kind of reputation do you have for Yeshuwa?

Let’s pray: Father, You know me. You chose me as Your child, put Your name on me, and gave me an assignment to do Your will. Help me to do Your will with boldness and integrity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 1 November 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux