Respect
In this day of informality, where everyone feels that they have a right to tell you their opinion, that somehow whatever it is you do is okay, and that personal responsibility is no longer a priority, we have lost respect. Respect is a word that is thrown around a lot. Some think that everyone, no matter who they are and how they act, is owed respect. That respect is a right and not a thing earned. While there are basic human dignities everyone is owed, respect is most definitely earned.
re·spect
/rəˈspekt/
noun
a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.
Our TV shows that, instead of just telling a story and entertaining us, are being used to put forth ideologies and pander to the societal trends of today. The commercials that interrupt them sell us products by using crude language and images. We know people have digestive issues and do not need the visuals and the slang to get the point. Some would say that the companies are just being real and trying to sell products to the younger generation. While that is most likely true, being real doesn’t require vulgarity. What I might say to my friends is not what I want corporate America talking to me like that. They are not my social circle.
Respecting others’ opinions doesn’t mean being untrue to our own.
–P. M. Forni
Social media has us believing that everything we think, our opinions on everything are important and we have the right to tell everyone. No matter what it is, the subject, the politics, the social issue, our opinions are the only true and just opinions. If you disagree then you are a bad person and you get labeled and canceled. Where is the respect? How one can have conversations and learn a thing if we automatically label others as bad. Sometimes another opinion just brings the thing that solidifies our own opinion and other times makes us rethink.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10 ESV
There is disrespect for the sanctity of marriages. Men and women feel it is perfectly ok to talk with a married friend or acquaintance with informality and no respect for his or her status as married and for their spouse. I know a married lady who refuses to meet with another man, no matter how long they have been friends, without a third party there. She does it out of respect for her husband and the other person’s spouse.
Awe and respect are two different things.
Oliver Reed
I am no saint and am one of the most informal persons you have ever met. I have a potty mouth, I can be outspoken, and sometimes rude. I, however, always respect others’ opinion, whether I agree with it or not, or another’s family whether I like them or not. I do not give respect beyond the basic human level respect if it is not earned. I can be polite and nice to anyone. That is basic respect. Beyond that it is earned. You are not granted it based on anything other than your behavior.
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13:7 ESV
