Articles
Are You Misunderstood?
When some people encounter criticism, their automatic reaction is to complain that they have been misunderstood. “That’s not what I meant.” “I’ve been taken out of context.” Their defense is that what they said or did is not a true reflection of who they are.
And it is true that we can be misunderstood. Paul’s sincere desire to associate with the Jerusalem church was derailed by suspicion based on his past behavior (Acts 9:26). Paul had indeed changed, but he hadn’t yet proven that the change was legitimate. His reputation didn’t match his true identity.
We also might be a victim of gossip or slander. Someone may circulate stories about us that are untrue, and these may condition people’s minds who hear something false or slanted about us before they ever meet us. Even Jesus was victimized by such (John 7:12).
Sometimes our decisions are criticized because others don’t know all the facts. Or perhaps someone may completely misinterpret what they see or hear in us. Our lives are constantly being filtered through the opinions, judgments and values of others. And much of this is unavoidable.
However, we are responsible to base our actions on principles of godliness, and if we do this consistently we will begin to establish a reputation that repels unfair criticism. Over time we build “capital,” a store of trust and dependability that can absorb the occasional mistake or lapse that plagues all of us.
But the key to a solid reputation is consistency. And the key to consistency is character. Christians follow a value system that is established by God and demands constant adherence. But inconsistency signals that we are not acting out of principle but impulse or convenience. Sometimes our reputation is a true reflection of what we are, and our peers see it clearly whether we do or not.
