What Are You Known For?

  Start living for what you want to be known.

Tim Mossholder

WE KNOW PEOPLE based on their actions. Good or bad, reputations have a way of preceding us. John was "the Baptist." Frank Sinatra, "the Voice." Pinocchio, liar.

In Proverbs 21:24, Solomon writes about a different nickname. He wrote,

"'Scoffer' is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

    who acts with arrogant pride."

In case you're wondering, as I was, what exactly the word scoffer means, here is the definition according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Scoffer: one who expresses scorn, derision, or contempt; mocker¹

I don't know about you, but that's not something I want to be known for. Like it our not, Solomon says, those who are arrogant and haughty will earn the moniker. Isn't this how it is with all of our behaviors and attitudes? We can call ourselves whatever we want, but our actions speak louder.

What Do You Call Yourself?

It's interesting to me that the proverb uses the word "name." He doesn't say that the prideful will simply be known as scoffers, but rather Scoffer will become their name. A name, especially in the context of the Old Testament, equates to a person's identity. If you've ever heard the phrase, "I'm going to make a name for myself," you know exactly what this means.

Although I've lost quite a bit of what I've learned, I majored in Spanish in college, even spending a short time abroad in Mexico in an immersion program.

One of the first things you learn in Spanish, whether in elementary school or conversational Spanish 1101 on the third floor of Kaufman Hall is how to ask someone their name and how to introduce yourself.

In English, we say something like, "What is your name?" to which I might respond, "My name is Andrew" or maybe to shorten it, "I'm Andrew." Here we see the principle that our name is our identity. I am Andrew. But in Spanish, a more common question is <<¿Cómo te llamas?>> In response I would say, <<Me llamo Andrew.>> Translating the conversation literally we get,

How (what) do you call yourself?
I call myself Andrew.

Functionally, the distinction is minor, but these really are two different questions, aren't they?

The first is more technical, akin to asking what appears on your birth certificate. It's why someone may answer the question with, "My name is Andrew, but I go by Andy." The second is what most people are really after when they ask the question, because the questioner wants to know how to address and refer to the subject.

Essentially the question is, what do you want to be known as? It is out of respect for our new acquaintances that we ask the question so we can call them what they want to be called.

But there is a problem with this type of question and response, whether in Spanish or English. Because what we call ourselves, ultimately, is irrelevant. I can call myself Andrew, but if everyone knows and refers to me as Andy then Andy, in effect, is my actual name.

Aside from literal names, we do this with descriptors too. If I call myself Andrew the writer, but I never write anything, the adjective is worthless. Instead, people would know me by what I do and how I behave. In the Bible, God changes the name of quite a few people, establishing new identities for them.

But were I to change my name but not change anything else about me, nothing would change. I think of the famous lines in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Juliet, lamenting that the object of her affection belongs to the family Montague—her own family's sworn enemies—waxes philosophical about surnames and language in general. She says:

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would smell as sweet.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title.²

While Juliet's statement might be a bit melodramatic, I must agree that our character infuses our name with meaning and not the other way around.

What Do You Want to Be Called?

Whether they like it, the arrogant will be called Scoffers—contemptuous ones, mockers. They would probably rather be known for how amazing they are. After all, they are better-looking, smarter, and holier than the average plebe. At least, in their own minds.

Those who act in arrogant pride look down on others. Even if they aren't conscious of this attitude, prideful people by definition have a feeling of superiority. And, as Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart [a person's] mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Therefore what lies in our hearts will manifest in words and actions.

Because this posture necessarily involves comparisons to other people, the arrogant will be known as those who mock and deride others. Even if someone were to have a higher IQ or a flatter stomach, he or she would be known instead for awful treatment of others. And although they might have an advantage over others, their worth is the same in God's eyes. He gave them intellect, so a smart person's response should be to glorify him, not look down on others!

Previously we explored God's consistent admonitions to care for the less fortunate. Another constant of the Scriptures is probably best encapsulated in this proverb, "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor." (3:34), a passage quoted by both James and Peter in the New Testament. They quote the Septuagint version, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, saying "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (Jam. 4:6). God is passionate about how we treat one other. In fact, other than loving and revering God, loving our neighbors as ourselves is the most important commandment.

So my question to you is this. What do you want to be known for? What do you want to be called?

You can call yourself whatever you want: Einstein, Usain Bolt, Venus, or Rockefeller, but you will be known by others for your actions. Therefore decide today how you want to be known, and start living your life that way.

If I may, I'd like to offer a suggestion (to myself as well). Jesus said to his disciples, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).

I think that's a pretty good place to start.

Hey, if you enjoyed this article, you might also like my guide to a strong, healthy relationship with God called 12 Things Effective Christians Do (Even When Life Isn't Going as Planned).

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Notes:

1. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. "scoff," accessed May 27, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoff.

2. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, act 2, sc. 2, lines 46–50, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, accessed May 31, 2025, https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/romeo-and-juliet/read/2/2/.