You got a good or bad rep?

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.  The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. (Proverbs 22:1-2 NLT)

The beliefs or opinions one holds about another are usually the result of their behavior or how they have performed at some point. The same is true about how they 'see' us. It can be very biased when it only takes in certain behaviors and not all the others we might exhibit along the way. Time and circumstances may cause one to have a certain reputation, but it is possible it isn't a true picture of that individual at all - it is just what we saw at the moment that caused us to believe what we believe.

A person can be said to be 'good' or 'bad' based on what we observe in their behavior. The value one places on another's behavior is based on what one believes about that behavior. If you are outspoken but the other is rather soft spoken, you make think them weak or timid. They could be wise and showing restraint, but you make a value judgment based on your particular bias. We form judgments about each other that are entirely one-sided (our side). We should not judge another by our limited perception of their behavior, though. Only God truly knows their 'true character'. 

We may get hints about their character, but we cannot say they are inherently good or bad based on those 'hints'. God asks us to focus on living consistent lives that are aligned with his Word. The more we strive for this sort of consistency in our walk, the more likely others will see 'good' behavior from us. Does that make us 'good'? No, it just means we are making wise decisions, trusting God with our lives, and doing our best to be obedient to what he asks. 

The man's reputation is only a small part of who he really is. The main part we must always focus on is what God focuses on - the heart. Is his heart in tune with God? Is it eager to do all God asks or requires? Is it willing to lay down every selfish ambition in order to do all God asks? These things are what help us to determine the 'true reputation' of a man. We cannot form quick opinions of another based on one set of behaviors. It may have been a weak moment, but all the other moments of their day were much, much better! Just sayin!