Introductory Thoughts
The brethren have become notorious about speaking of one another, not always in the best light. Frequently, the individual’s reputation who is the subject of the conversation dictates the tone of the conversation. We have several examples of the brethren speaking of Timothy. Thankfully, each instance involved a report of praise. If someone chose to speak evil of Timothy, the conversation would have had to revolve around some sort of baseless accusation. According to the Bible’s testimony of Timothy, he had a wonderful reputation among believers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul likewise gave a good report of Timothy when he said, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. . . . But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22). Every Christian should live in such a way that any evil report would be baseless and rejected by those who know you best.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Many people in the Bible had a good reputation. Consider Ruth (Ruth 2:11-12; Ruth 3:11); Timothys mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15); Demetrius (3 John 12); Cornelius (Acts 10:2, 22).
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(For everyone): What were the keys to Timothys development of a good reputation? How could those keys be instrumental in your own development of a good reputation?
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Can you dictate everything that people are going to say about you? Can you dictate any of the things that people will say about you? How can this dual understanding change your life?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to give you a reputation like Timothy.
- Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom to maintain a good report.
Song
SAVED, SAVED!
