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Our reputation can be ruined by one action, by the people with whom we associate, and by what others say about us. This is especially true of Christians because the world does not use the same standard of measurement for us that they use for others. Let me give you some examples of injured reputations.

Several years ago when Fred and I were setting up our tents and display tables at Canton, Texas we got into an argument about which way to place tables or some such thing. I pushed my point of view, (You do know I'm always right don't you?) and Fred got angry.

We later became friends with some of the dealers that had heard that dispute and to this day one of them will bring up Fred's anger occasionally. Are we the only dealers that get upset when they are setting up displays? NO. Have we seen and heard more severe upsets? YES. We have even witnessed upsets between that same dealer, that is critical of Fred, and his wife, but the differences are it was a first impression and Fred and I witness for Christ to this couple or to others in their presence.

I'm sure all of us can think of cases where someone is judged by the friends they have. "Birds of a feather flock together." "A man is judged by the company he keeps." "Guilt by association."

The last illustration is very personal. When I was 16 I had broken up with my boy friend. Let's call him Jim. Jim was sure God intended for us to get married and he wrote a letter to an evangelist that had been at our church asking his advice. I really have no idea what Jim said in that letter, in fact I didn't know about the letter for several years, but the evangelist forwarded the letter to our pastor. The pastor never spoke to my parents or me about that letter, however, since I had major surgery to remove ovarian cysts and part of one ovary shortly after he received the letter the pastor decided that my surgery was in fact an illegal abortion.

Eighteen months later when I was having my interview for admission to Bible College the Dean of Students informed my parents and me that I would be admitted on social probation. Social probation meant that anytime I wanted to leave campus except for church or work I had to have a permission slip signed by my parents. When we ask why, the Dean told us that one of my personal references claimed I had had an abortion.

We questioned what it would take to prove the information was wrong. The reply was that all references were confidential and the school could not tell us who had made the accusation. Plus, the school had no way of knowing how many other people might also believe it was true so to protect their standards of acceptable conduct I would only be admitted on social probation.

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