A few of my friends have started their own business. And some of them have been approached by other people who offer to work under their name - which is always a difficult decision. How will this person affect your brand's reputation? Will they make the brand more "famous" or will they discolor it by the way they carry themselves?
In the third instruction on how to respect God, God says, "don't drag my name through the mud in your squabbles."
It is potentially an awesome thing to throw about the name of the fiercesome god who sits on a pole - whether as a curse or as a blessing. But God says he would like the freedom to choose his own battles. And he would like to free us from the consequence of making promises in his name that we may have trouble keeping.
"Leave me out of your fights," God says, "and don't manipulate my name in the same way you don't manipulate me."
Write
Think about your faith story: how do people think of you? How does your reputation impact the way people in your life think about God?
in your life presently, in what ways you use "Christian" as a way to enhance your reputation in the world? What behaviour, values or attitude of yours reflects negatively on God's reputation?
Who do you know is mis-representing God by their behaviour?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the connection between your reputation and his. Thank God that he uses everything in your life to demonstrate his unconditional love and extravangant grace.
Pray about your present struggles with bearing God's image and repuation. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to let him express his values through your life..
Pray for your friend who is misrepresenting God. Ask God to give you the wisdom and opportunity to come along side your friend and walk with them in rebuilidng their life with God.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way Jesus covers your reputation under his name, and the way he entrusts his reputation with you, and makes himself "famous" through how he blesses through you.