above reproach

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2

I attended a study the other day that focused on this verse, specifically centering on being "above reproach". To be above reproach means to be undeserving of criticism; the main point of the study was that as Christians we must guard our reputations. We must avoid giving others cause for criticism, and instead let our reputations shine with the love of God. Job had this down... he was blameless and upright, and was well known for this and for his prosperity. (Job 1:1-3) For better or worse, our reputation represents God to those around us, and thus we should strive to bring Him glory and avoid dishonoring His name.

For part of the study, I couldn't help but be a bit concerned with the external nature of being focused on our reputation. Matthew 23:27-28 comes to mind:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

While it is true that our reputations are important for the reasons described above, our main focus must be internal; then reputation takes care of itself. In our study we went on to discuss how to best assess our reputation and identify where we are lacking, and it was pointed out that we should look to those closest to us for an accurate appraisal. Anyone who is married knows the truth in this - our spouses see behind the façade that hides our flaws from most others. Getting the opinion of those who know us most intimately will help us see what others don't, and what we may have a tendency to accept or conveniently ignore about ourselves.

Ever notice how after smelling something for a while you don't really notice it as much, but someone else who hasn't been acclimated to it can be overcome? The verse from Matthew paints a vivid picture - we're so used to the rotting corpse smell of sin in our lives that sometimes we hardly notice it. Those closest to us usually do, however, and if we can be humble and vulnerable enough enough to enlist their aid, we can start to get the carrion cleaned up.