Respect

The Holy Bible teaches us about the value of respect. In fact, it is enshrined in one of the Ten Commandments which is  “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). Also Jesus teaches us that, to show respect, we must also be very careful with our words which can so easily show a lack of respect. He says in Matthew 5:22, “If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” So lack of respect is serious because it shows a lack of love and can be very hurtful to others. We must be very careful not to use cruel words, that our behavior is not insulting and to avoid sarcasm.

The Bible teaches us to respect all people. To respect them for their humanity, whatever their age or social status. It says, “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters” (1Timothy 5: 1-2). And also in James 2: 2-6 the Bible teaches that the poor must be esteemed as much as the rich.

When we respect people, they feel the love that we have for them. They see that we value them. Perhaps they see that we value them more than they value themselves. In respecting the elderly we continue to include them and in respecting the young we show them support. At work, a good leader shows respect to his/her sub-ordinates.

The Lord Jesus Christ set many examples of respect towards His followers. He said to them, “No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15). “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). “Whoever honours you, honours Me.” (Luke 10:16).

It is a very sad mistake to believe that you lose your status or dignity when you respect others. On the contrary, expressions of respect increase love between people and create unity. This is especially important in marriage and in the family. The Bible teaches, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25); “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord”(Ephesians 5:25); “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21) and that a husband “must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). This respect and love links the hearts of the husband and wife for as the Bible says, the two have become united into one (Genesis 2:24). It also sets a good example for the children, teaching them how to love each other and by doing so showing respect, using kind words, being gentle, valuing each others’ opinions and being selfless. The Holy Bible provides further instruction for parents and children. It teaches “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1) and “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).