How do you feel, when you're disrespected?

Matthew 7:12...Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, Jesus said, "do ye even so to them…" for this is the law and the prophets


Human beings are vastly diverse, however if there is one thing we all share it is a desire to be taken seriously, whether we reveal it or not it's true.) But what’s interesting is that we don’t always feel obligated to respect others.(You know--everyone, and not just the people you look up to, or the ones that can give you something). Why is that?

Is it because we think we deserve it more, or that we are better? We do deserve it, but we definitely are no better than the next man.

God created us all, no one can operate in his own power or strength. The power to think, talk, eat, sleep, and rise up again does not belong to us, but God. We can have little control. It is because of God that we can do anything. So all of us are really the same; we are all mortal, subject to error and defeat. And because of this we deserve some common courtesy. You may say, "no, I don't agree with that, some people should earn respect", and if they don't respect themselves they shouldn't expect that I will." Well that's just ignorance. When we show those who seem unworthy love, and respect it will show them the humbleness of God in us. (We'd have less defensive people, and explosive tempers to deal with, if more people would do this).


Jesus walked in compassion. He was constantly showing love and respect to those society had written off. Remember the story of the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery? She was dragged from the scene of the crime by self righteous men, and thrown down in front of Jesus to be harshly judged. (St. John 8:3-7)
Of course they did this to trap Jesus--but he taught them a lesson. "You, who are without sin", He says; "go ahead and cast the first stone?" I’m sure the woman braced her self for the many rocks that would soon come flying her way, but there were none? One by one they were forced to drop their stones and walk away!

Jesus was, and is a Hero. He convicted her accusers by placing them in front of a mirror. They too had broken laws. (And no doubt some were still guilty.) Jesus showed compassion for this woman, and respectfully told her to go, and sin no more.
He does the same for you and I today.

Jesus hold people accountable for their sins, but he is fair, and He is loving. It is far too easy to execute a harsh comment or judgment against someone without a second thought. (Yes I have been guilty of this myself.) But, if we practiced this teaching and considered how we would feel if someone were slandering our name, refusing to show us mercy, or went off on us in a fit of rage, not considering the long term affects. It would hurt us, and we would not appreciate the disrespect. So why is it that we can’t think this way when we’re doing it to others?

What if we knew for a fact that everything we did to other people; or said, good or bad would come directly back to us? Would we be more careful? I believe so. And the truth is, what we do to others does come back. We may not always notice it right away, but what we do to others, will return to our door in some fashion.

We shouldn’t think so highly of ourselves; that we’d give ourselves the right to misuse, or disrespect another human being. (By being ugly and condescending) “Who are we, but flesh;” subject to the same elements. God wants us to show love and compassion. And we need to bind Satan, and rebuke the urge to tear other people down or judge harshly to make ourselves feel better. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, we’ve all messed up and we knew it was not a good feeling.

Does this mean, we excuse and tolerate sinful behavior? NO! God forbids us, the word tells us to rebuke and reprove (2 Tim 4:2) cry loud, and spare not (Ish 58:1) but first make sure you’re not guilty, and then consider yourself.

Let’s start practicing this more and more in our daily lives, respecting another man’s name, his words, and his space. Even when we must tell hurtful truths, we can still do it in love and with respect.