APP: When we give respect to someone (parent, friend, God, etc.) or something (country, flag, law, etc.), it means we are showing appreciation and high regard. It’s a powerful word of value that we place in a person or thing. We demonstrate our respect in different ways, including our words, actions, and attitudes. It’s like when we pledge allegiance to the flag; we hold our hands over our hearts out of respect for what it represents. It can be hard to respect others if we don’t respect ourselves. When we understand how God values us, we’ll be able to respect ourselves and others. Respect is a theme that’s found throughout the Bible. God wants us to treat everyone we meet with respect—even when we feel like they don’t deserve it—because everyone is created in His image. There will be times when we end up respecting the position someone has rather than the person because we disagree with their actions. However, God is always deserving and worthy of our respect. Even though God is our friend, we shouldn’t approach Him casually, but as if we’ve been invited to have an audience with a king—the God of creation.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emporer.
1 PETER 2:17 NIV
Give 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.
ROMANS 13:7 NLT
“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the LORD your God.”
LEVITICUS 19:3 NLT
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”
LEVITICUS 19:32 NIV
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
PROVERBS 13:13 NIV