Honor and Respect

The word of God teaches us a lot about honor and respect. In this fast-paced world, I want to remind all of us to make sure that we honor and respect each other. I know that it is hard. It is easy for us all to find faults in others. But you know what, we all have faults. We are all imperfect because of our sins. But our loving God wants us to strive for perfection – “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:48”

            Honoring is to recognize a person’s worth or value and Respect is the focus on behavior and doing the appropriate thing. Respect is behavioral and can be taught, but honor comes from the heart. Respect acknowledges a person’s position, while honor attaches worth to that person. Respect teaches manners and proper behavior in the presence of others. Honor teaches something deeper, an appreciation of that person. Respect can become an outward technique to make a family look good to others, but honor builds the hidden bonds that provide great strength and long-lasting unity. It’s one thing to obey a man out of respect for his position. It’s yet another to show honor to him because you know him as a friend.

            Why should we respect and honor others?

                        There are so many reasons to respect and honor others according to the Bible. A few reasons are,

• Because it is God’s command for us (Romans 13:7)

      As a child of God, He wants us to respect and honor everyone. If you are a child of God, aren’t you obliged to live up to His name?

• Respect because of their position (Romans 13:1-14)

      It is God who appointed the leaders and people in authority. Whether they are good or bad, God created them and God loves them. That is enough reason for us to respect and honor them.

• Because we are God’s creation (Genesis 9:6)

      Yes! Since we are all created in the image of God, whether a person is a believer or not, we are supposed to honor them as the image of God.

          Who should we respect and honor?

• God (1 Samuel 2:30; Proverbs 3:9)
• People in authority (1 Samuel 26:11; Romans 13:1; Hebrews 13:17)
• Parents (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 19:19; Ephesians 6:1-3)
• Spouse (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Peter 3:7)
• Elders (Leviticus 19:32; 1 Peter 5:5; Timothy 5:1-3)
• Everyone (1 Peter 2:17)

          What happens when we don’t respect and honor others?

                        The consequences of disrespect and dishonor are very bad. According to Deuteronomy 27:16, “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.” Despite the consequences, I would like to emphasize you all as a fellow sister in Christ to strive to live up to our heavenly Father’s name in loving, respecting, and honoring others.

            Analyze the people in your lives. Who is someone you had a hard time respecting? I’m sure there are such people in all our lives. So, how do we respect those people? Look for things that you can respect in that person. You can find something to respect in anybody if you look hard enough. So, let’s all strive and do our best in respecting and honoring everyone in our lives from now on!