Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 5:1-25
"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." (1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV)
The more I read this verse the more I appreciate my parent's teaching me to show respect toward others. Demonstrating a godly amount of respect toward all people is very counter culture and truly exposes our flawed thinking and human nature.
Consider for a moment the use of your words in showing respect. As a child, many of us were taught to say "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" to men and women, particularly those our parent's age and older. We were also taught to not shout at or hit our sisters and brothers.
There are lots of areas in our lives where showing respect is encouraged culturally. But, then there are other areas where our culture has grown increasingly oblivious to ingraining in our minds, hearts, attitudes, and actions a lack of respect for authority and brotherly kindness. In fact I will say there are lots of media influences that portray our culture as downright disrespectful!
Today, as an act of worship, honor the Lord with your words and actions toward others. Always speak the truth in love. Always show proper respect.
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