Question 1

How do I gain respect?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 13:8The man of God said to the king, “Even if you gave me half of everything you own, I would not go with you. I would not eat or drink anything in this place.”Psalm 25:21May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.Proverbs 10:9People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.Matthew 7:12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”Romans 2:10There will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good.Jude 1:20You, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.We gain respect in much the same way we show it—building our lives on God’s Word, having integrity, treating others the way we would like to be treated, not compromising our character, and standing up for truth no matter what.

Question 2

How do I show respect for God?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 19:30“Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the Lord.”Leviticus 22:32“Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy.”Deuteronomy 10:12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.”2 Kings 17:36“But worship only the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him.”Psalm 96:7-9O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.Hebrews 12:28-29Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.We show respect for God by worshiping and revering him.1 Chronicles 16:8-10Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.Psalm 22:23Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!Revelation 19:5From the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”We show God respect by praising him for who he is and what he has done.Ecclesiastes 5:1As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.Habakkuk 2:20The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.Zephaniah 1:7Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. The Lord has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.We show God respect by seeking his wisdom and being silent long enough to hear what he is saying to us.1 Samuel 15:22Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”John 14:15“If you love me, obey my commandments.”Philippians 2:12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.We show respect for God by obeying him.

Question 3

In what ways might I show disrespect to God?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 20:7“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”Leviticus 19:12“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.”Leviticus 22:32“Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy.”Deuteronomy 5:11“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”We disrespect God by misusing his name. This includes not just using God’s name flippantly in our conversations, but also claiming to represent God but failing to live up to what following him requires.Psalm 78:19, 22They even spoke against God himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness.” . . . for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.2 Peter 3:3-4In the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”We disrespect God by doubting his goodness and the truth in his Word.Psalm 78:10They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his instructions.Jeremiah 18:9-10“If I [the Lord] announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”John 14:23-24Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.”2 John 1:6Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.We disrespect God by not keeping his commandments, by disobeying him.

Question 4

What happens when I respect God?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 20:20“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”Respect for God often keeps us from sinning because we don’t want to hurt the one who loves us so much.Psalm 115:11All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.Respect for God helps us trust him when we have doubts or experience trouble.Ecclesiastes 12:13Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.Having respect for God helps us obey him because we realize that his ways are best.2 Chronicles 19:6-9“Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case. Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”Nehemiah 5:15The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.Having respect for God helps us treat other people with fairness and justice. As we respect God, we learn to respect others and treat them with integrity.Acts 10:2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.Respect for God causes us to give generously to help others because God has given generously to us.

Question 5

What can I do to show respect to others?

Accepted Answer

Luke 10:33-34“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.Romans 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.1 Corinthians 8:1Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.Philippians 2:3Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.1 Thessalonians 5:12Honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.James 2:1My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?1 Peter 2:17Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.We can respect others by showing more concern for them than for our own agenda, thinking highly of them, building them up in love, and treating everyone with integrity and fairness.1 Samuel 20:14-16“If I die, treat my family with this faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David.2 Samuel 9:6-7His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan.”We show respect to others when we keep our promises to them.

Question 6

Whom should I honor and respect?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 3:5“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”1 Samuel 12:24“Be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”Nehemiah 1:11“O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.Revelation 4:11“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”We should respect God, first and foremost, and demonstrate that respect through worship and service.Exodus 20:12“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”Ephesians 6:2-3“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”We should respect our parents. They deserve our deep respect because God chose them to bear us, raise us, and teach us.1 Thessalonians 5:12-13Honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. . . . Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.We should respect our spiritual leaders.Leviticus 19:32“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged.”We should show respect for the elderly.Exodus 22:28“You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.”1 Samuel 24:5-7Then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.”Ecclesiastes 10:20Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.Romans 13:1-5Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.1 Peter 2:13-14For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.We should sow respect to those in authority over us. Even if they are incompetent, evil, or oppressive, we should at least, respect their position.Ephesians 6:5-9Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.Employers and employees should treat each other with respect.Luke 14:11“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.1 Peter 2:17Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.We should treat all people with respect because God created each person with value.Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.We should treat all people with respect by being fair, thinking the best of others, befriending people, encouraging everyone, and treating all as equals. As followers of Christ, we should reflect Jesus as we interact with others.