Your reputation is what people think about you (Proverbs 22:1). It is what people see about your life. It is the example you set for others. It is important to be a good example and have a good reputation (Matthew 5:13-16). On the other hand, your character is what you are on the inside. Character is who you really are. It is who you are when no one is looking. Timothy had consistently shown his “proven character” (Philippians 2:22). Other versions refer to this as “proven worth.” It is the type of life you have regularly lived and it reveals, in the long term, your real value to the Lord. Reputation is what people think you are. Character is what God knows you are. Your character is a matter of choice, not of birth. You can become what you want to be. You can change parts of your character that are not what you want them to be. If you do not treat others the way you should, you can change. If you are not morally pure, you can be. If your speech is improper, it can be different. If you need an attitude adjustment, you can do that too. As God looks at your heart, what does He see? Is He pleased? Is He saddened? Does He see someone who is trying to be like Christ, or someone who is living like the world? Samuel picked David, a man after God’s own heart. Does that phrase describe you? It could, if you decide you want that. Will you resolve in your heart to do this? Will you be purer in heart? Will you develop and grow your character to be what God wants you to be? You can decide to do that right now. Will you?
