Respect is an attribute that seems to be lost in our society. Sarcasm is the rule of the day, and we all laugh at the pointed putdown. Never in history has there been a time where people were so irreverent. Employees are disrespectful to employers. Children are disrespectful to parents. Authority means nothing to a lot of them. The school has little control because respect for teachers is also gone. The military is the only group that seems to have no problem getting respect, but they do have an edge. If you don’t show respect, there are negative consequences to pay, and you won’t like them. Wikipedia defines respect as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something, elicited by their abilities, or qualities. No matter the ability or qualities of an individual, we owe them respect, because all mankind is made in the image of God. The life within each of us is a breath from God. God himself is no respecter of persons. Therefore, we should honor the value of all life. We should treat everyone with an element of respect. You may not place much value on some people, but God does. He sent His Son Jesus to die for all people and He says every person you meet is worth dying for!
I Peter 2:17a “Honor all men.”
Respect is to be valued in the home. Children are to honor their parents, and Fathers are not to provoke their children. Wives are to reverence their husbands. God intends for the family relationship to be one of respect for one another. Husbands are also told to respect their wives.
Ephesians 6:2a “Honor thy father and mother;”
Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
I Peter 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
I do believe respect must start in the home. That is the basis for all our learning. Children emulate their parent’s actions. If you are disrespectful to one another they will repeat that outside the home. You probably do also, you’ve just learned how and where to do it so that it doesn’t get you in trouble.
Many use social media to get a dig into someone. Social media has caused people to be braver with their disrespect. Many will say much more texting, or on the web than they would dare say in person. Others show disrespect by ignoring others. They pass by a person in public and act as if they were not even there. Verbal confronting disrespect, social media sarcasm, or ignoring another person are all wrong and disrespectful. These actions really show the attitude of their heart. Disrespect is a heart issue.
So, how do we change our own attitude about respecting others? We understand the truth that God values all life. We draw on the power of the Holy Spirit to control our tongues, we ask him to “bring to our remembrance” God’s word concerning this situation. It does not mean we are to be fake or phony in our actions toward another, but it does mean we can act in an honorable way toward others. No matter what the situation God tells us to love. That is what Jesus would do and we are to emulate him.
Luke 6:32 “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.”
Excellent