Whom should I honor and respect?
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.
