“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17
Growing up, my parents taught us to be respectful to others, no matter their standing in life, and as a pastor’s kid, we had plenty of opportunities to learn. I saw my dad being respectful to souls from all walks of life, whether wealthy and successful, or those who were troubled, weak, lost, and had hit rock bottom.
But in today’s world, respect for one another is growing thin, with disrespect for one another running rampant. Not only that, but it’s encouraged, cheered on, and, for some, a lucrative form of living.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:28-31 describes where this widespread disrespect of others in our culture originates:
“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.”
Rather than freedom of speech, there is a depravity behind the sin of disrespecting others.
It’s a troubling world we’re living in, where even disrespecting one’s family is supported and cheered on by others.
Whereas in the past, family grievances were dealt with at home, social media has taken family discord to a whole new level. Micah 7:6 describes the scene, “For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
Disrespecting family members on a public level includes tell-all books where children defame their parents. From royals to reality stars, sons and daughters are making headlines and book royalties by publicly rising up against their parents.
Still, many people believe if they are disrespected by others, it’s their own fault, that they’ve somehow done something to deserve it or receive it. But it isn’t true.
Jesus was perfect, yet He was disrespected, even in the midst of ministering to people. Mark 5:39-40 describes what happened as He entered Jairus’ home to raise his daughter from the dead: “He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him.”
As well, Matthew 26:67 describes how Jesus was disrespected when brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership: “Then they spit in His face and struck Him with their fists. Others slapped Him.”
He was mocked and made fun of, as Luke 22:63-65 describes: “The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many other insulting things to Him.”
Jesus was publicly disrespected, and countless people continue to disrespect Him daily with their words and deeds.
Paul in Romans 13:7 instructs us, “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Sadly, even many Christians are publicly being disrespectful of today’s leaders, political candidates, and their followers. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a higher calling in how we speak of and treat people. We may abhor their actions, but we are still called to be respectful in a way that’s pleasing to God.
James 3:9-10 appeals to us, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
While we’re called to oppose unbiblical stances and agendas, this doesn’t mean we are to personally disrespect those promoting them through name-calling and making fun of their appearance, ethnicity, age, and disabilities.
On Earth, Jesus addressed leaders’ intentions, behaviors, and practices, but He didn’t disrespect their personhood. In Matthew 23:27, he spoke of their inner heart issues: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
Likewise, in Matthew 23:28, Jesus spoke of their motives and intentions: “In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Help us respect others because You call us to do so. When our hearts are drawn to be disrespectful to others, including family members, leaders, and politicians, let us instead choose to do what is pleasing before You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Constantinis
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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Originally published Thursday, 26 September 2024.
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