BibleViews2Use
Posts
Your Reputation Isn't that Important. Here's Why.

Your Reputation Isn't that Important. Here's Why.

When self is enthroned no good thing is going to come out

Steven Pawley
April 24, 2025

On A Personal Note

One of the biggest struggles in my desire to walk closely with Christ is the problem of evil – the evil in me. There’s just too much of the old me being revealed and not enough of the new in Christ.

There’s the public side – who people think I am, and the private side – who I know I really am! In Christ I have a new identity, but when the pressure is on, and “I” show up instead, things get messy.

The Text Message

In Gen. 34:30-31, God had given Jacob a new identity (Israel). But being the good friend God is, when the old nature rears its ugly head, Jesus just tells it like it is. “Israel” is acting like “Jacob”.

Challenges large or small reveal which identity we’re yielding to, ours or Christ’s. When your cup gets bumped whatever’s inside comes out: Christlikeness or you. It tells it like it is.

Jacob’s been missing his time with God, and it shows. In v. 30 his cup is bumped and nothing good comes out! You can tell because in the moment, it’s all about “me” and “my” reputation.

When self is enthroned, no good thing will come out of it. Like Jacob, we’ll be remembered by the wrong identity. No one thinks of him as “Israel” he’s usually called “Jacob”. How about you?

We make progress in our walk with Jesus when we choose carefully our spiritual diet. If we spend more time putting in the good things of God, it’s more likely Christ will come out when bumped.

You don’t want to be famous for the wrong identity. You’re a Christian inside and out. But you’ll know whose reputation you care most about when the pressure is on. Who spills out of your cup?

Let’s Take the Message Home

Jesus reminds us that “self” is to be denied, reckoned dead, given no help. Calvary took care of that, but you must decide daily which identity you will reveal (Lk 9:23-24, Rom 13:11-14).

Who comes out when your cup gets bumped? Ask Jesus to tell you like it is. Now, make a change starting today: A better habit, fasting, that phone call, accountability, time with God.

Thanks for Reading! Your Input is Invaluable. I Answer Every Email.

Help me get the best content to your inbox by sharing how the post impacted you and how we can improve it. Reach out at [email protected].

Here are some previous popular posts:

Do you know others who can benefit from this free newsletter?

Thank you for being a subscriber. If you enjoy what you’re reading, please forward this email or link to others who might find it helpful: https://bibleviews2use.beehiiv.com