Reputation

I am thinking today about reputation or character. Living above reproach. What we think is a good laugh one minute can become laughing "at" instead of "with". There is a fine between the two and I think the line is a line of love for the person. I don't mind laughing with those I love about something I have done or said that may prove to be silly or embarrassing. Yet if someone who I don't know or I think has little regard for me, little love for me, laughs as well, then that is different.
Is that true for you?

Webster dictionary: rep∙u∙ta∙tion \ noun
[Middle English reputacioun, from Latin reputation-, reputatio consideration, from reputare]
(14th century)
1 a : overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general
b : recognition by other people of some characteristic or ability -has the reputation of being clever.
2 : a place in public esteem or regard : good name

In the MESSAGE by E. Peterson, book of James it says:
A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell."

"Temptation often comes not at our strongest, but our weakest moments. When we are at the limit of our patience, love, etc., we are tempted to be unChristian. Beware, Jesus' temptation began after 40 days of fasting. "- Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations

These words may seem abstract today. But it is what is on my mind.
How do you protect your reputation or the reputation of others??
Do you think the amount of love you have for a person measures how far you will go to protect their reputation?
Just some thoughts.


Tan, P. L. 1996, c1979. Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : [a treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers]. Bible Communications: Garland TX
Peterson, E. H. 1995. The message : New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs . NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colo.