known for

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Ruth 3:11

Every person is known for something. Famous people are often known by what they can do or what they had done. Singers are known for their voice and songs, actors for their movies, sportsmen for their championships or wins. Others are known for their extreme wealth or discoveries in the science or medical fields.

While these things may be good, they are all surface and temporary and do not reveal who the person really is.

Boaz told Ruth that in his town all the people knew her as a woman of noble character and so he was willing to do what she asked of him.

Even though many people are known for doing some amazing things, very few are known for their character as being noble. It is common for famous people to do great things but have very poor character. They are then known for getting drunk, doing drugs, getting into fights, abusiveness, foul language and much more, despite all their famous abilities.

Although believers should be known for a noble character, many have the same character as those in the world. Lying, cheating, stealing, abusiveness, drunkenness, greediness and more are known characteristics of many in the church, and often without regret or sorrow.

Believers are to be set apart as different. Their character should shine before their world as one of noble character, that of God. As Jesus, the believer should live his life above reproach and of a different character than the world.

People should know the believer as one of noble character that can be trusted to do what is right no matter how difficult it is.

Regardless of where you live, there are people who live around you who are watching you, know you and make judgements on your character. Some of these people will see you in the best of your times and in the worst of your times.

How you act and react to situations will show your true character, whether noble or corrupt. Everything that you say or do should reflect God’s Holy Spirit in your life. A noble character should be the description of your life.

How would people around you, both known and unknown, close or distant, describe your character?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be known for a Godly and noble character; that all of your words and actions will reflect God’s character; and that God will give you strength to always do what is right.

Pair of swans

You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Psalm 45:2

A person is often known by how he speaks. Every person speaks a little differently. This is not talking about the language being spoken, but what words are they saying and how they talk to and about other people.

Some are known for gruff talk. They will speak harshly about many different things and people. Often they appear as a grumpy person.

Others will be known for speaking in pride. All that they say is things about themselves.

Some are always cutting others down, making jokes. No one can tell if they are ever serious.

Still others speak with compassion and building others up.

The writer speaks of a person who is an excellent person. He is excellent because he speaks with grace. His words are kind and merciful to those he is speaking to or about.

It is not common to find a person who is always gracious in what he says. Too often the words spoken are cutting others down or being prideful about self. It is easy for a person to find fault in others.

Believers are often known for constantly finding fault in those who do not follow Jesus or their way of worshipping God. They often do not show the grace that God has shown them.

The person who has his heart set after God’s will speak like Jesus spoke–with grace, love and mercy.

Every person has faults of one type or another. No one is exactly the same. Since this is the case, believers must remember that and speak accordingly with grace, allowing the other person some room to grow in the Lord.

Take a moment to think about how you speak to or about other people. What are your words saying? Are they words that build up or tear down?

People are always listening to what you say. They want to know if what you are saying is matching what you say you are living. You say that you are a follow of Jesus, then that means you must be like Jesus. One of the fastest ways to know if you are following Jesus is by how you speak.

People will know you by what you say. Do they see you as a person of grace? Or do they see you as a person of judgement?

Fill your mouth with words of grace as you speak.

I pray today that you will know God’s grace towards you; that you will show God’s grace to others; that you will speak the words of God; and that you will speak with God’s grace and love.