Christian Living

Respect Looks Good On You

by Rev. Dr. R.J. Lightsey 
01/20/17
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Respect Looks Good On You

“Respect” is something we hear about almost daily. Lately I have been wondering if we really make the effort to respect others even if and especially when we disagree with them.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “respect” as a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc. Using that definition, we are compelled to treat every human being with respect because every human being is God’s creation and He defined His creation as “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  Mankind is also valuable and important because he was created after God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

You don’t win others to your way of thinking or get them to perform the way you want them to (even if their performance is below expectations) by talking down to them, yelling at them, cursing them, or publicly embarrassing them. You should treat and speak to others the way you want them to speak to you. Also, it is definitely and emphatically hypocritical to disrespect someone and then think less of them and want to reprimand them if they show you the same disrespect. At some point, you will reap what you sew.

May we all strive to admit our shortcomings, ask for forgiveness, and invest in the lives of others. May we all look deep inside ourselves and always commit to wear respect on a daily basis. After all, respect looks good on you (and me)!