In a time when selfishness and self-concern are the primary concerns for many, there is still a need of 
having respect towards others. Honoring others needs to be important especially to Christians that want to obey God’s guidelines found in His Word, the Bible. God expects us to honor and respect people.
Here are several areas in which the Word of God commands believers to honor others:
- Honor God. Honor Him by obeying His rules, respecting His church and His Word, giving, and praising Him.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11
“Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” Psalm 71:8
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:” Proverb 3:9 - Honor His Son. We honor God’s only Son by trusting what Jesus did to provide salvation, and also by calling upon Him for our needs.
“That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:23
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:26 - Honor everyone.
“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” I Peter 2:17 - Honor your parents. This should also include “step parents” and grandparents, if they are rearing you.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12 - Honor the man of God, your pastor.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” I Timothy 5:17 - Honor widows.
“Honour widows that are widows indeed.” I Timothy 5:3 - Honor the aged.
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;” I Timothy 5:1 - Honor your wives.
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” I Peter 3:7 - Honor authorities.
“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” I Peter 2:17 - Honor yourself.
“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” Proverb 20:3
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverb 21:21
“That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” I Thessalonians 4:4
Luke 16:13 | View whole chapter | See verse in context No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 | View whole chapter | See verse in context No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Don’t show respect to any that want to bring rapists and murders here nor trigger happy cops who shoot then ask questions . So basically there are good and bad in everyone .
I’m glad you put “Honor Authorities” – that reminds me of our police. It breaks my heart and angers me how our society treats our law enforcement! We need to pray for them and their families!
Bro Doug,
Agreed. I live and work in a small town. I know which of our policemen have their heads swelled with power and which just want to do a good job, but as a prince of the Kingdom, I try to show ample respect to all of them…. not to put them on a pedestal, but as a thank you and as their just due. Same for the president. I have no doubt that he is working against my way of life…….but there is no doubt he is in authority over me and I am going to show respect to him and that office.
I would caution that there are ends to PROPER authority. I think if we are prayed up, we will know when that is.
Hey Brothers, do you agree that authority extends to your pastor?. If you have agreed to be part of his flock, you have submitted yourself to his leadership in spiritual matters and possibly some other things too. I would think long and hard about bucking his authority. I dont want to be cultish and blindly follow, but if you have a pastor that teaches and preaches the word of God…. you had better fall in line with what the Bible says. I am not talking about the pastors opinions and personal convictions, but in solid biblical matters.
Here is a link to a great message on biblical authority preached many years ago by a great man of God… BH Clendennan entitled “soldiers” . It would be a great way to spend an hour. You might have to copy and paste it into your browser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAa1n4hds_w
Respect for proper authority is so out of style. The Bible says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Lack of respect and obedience for authority is rebellion. It has become so entrenched in our culture that we scarcely see it or don’t see it at all. Rebellion is the norm, not the exception. This should come as no surprise to us as unregenerate man is not God’s misunderstood friend, but his enemy. We are hardwired to be in rebellion. Only by giving oneself and their will to God by surrendering their life will they ever conquer this. It is not within man’s ability without that surrendered life.
The disturbing thing is how little we (pointing at me, too) work with God to sanctify this area of our life. It leaks out. Referring to policemen as cops and teaching our children to slip around as if we are criminals. Referring to the President by his last name and allowing our children to do so. Disobeying the instructions we are given from the pulpit, rather than praying about the matter if we initially disagree, all the while airing our “opinions” and seeding the same rebellion into the next generation…. and we wonder why kids stray like they often do!
God, please help us to be wise and obedient in this area that Bro Brinkworth has taught on this morning!
Ummmm … guilty (head hung in shame….) I need to be respectful more to our president…….. (not condone his deeds, but honor him. I try to pray for him and our other officials)
I agree with you David! When a cop pulls you over, the first thing I do is start ripping the cop to shreds in front of my kids (But I’m the one that broke the law) and I wonder why my kids have no respect for law enforcement later on in life…….!