Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“To be respected is better than having silver and gold” (PROV. 22:1).
1. Why is it so important to feel respected? (Proverbs 22:1).
Isn't it true that we all like it and it makes us happy to be treated with respect? And not only that, we need it. No wonder the Bible says that “being respected is better than having silver and gold.” (it’s Proverbs 22:1).
2, 3. Why is it not always easy to respect others, and what will we see in this article?
2 Even so, we may sometimes find it difficult to respect others. Why? On the one hand, we see their imperfections, and on the other, we live in an era where respect is conspicuous by its absence. But we do want to be respectful because Jehovah asks us to honor—that is, to treat with respect—"people of all sorts" (1 Pet. 2:17).
3 In this article, we will see what it means to respect others and how to demonstrate this quality with 1) family, 2) siblings, and 3) non-Jehovah's Witnesses. We will focus on how to be respectful in difficult situations.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RESPECT OTHERS?
4. What does it mean to respect others?
4 How would you define respect? In the Bible, the words respect and honor are related. Respect primarily refers to how we perceive a person. When we respect others, we consider them worthy of our attention and esteem, perhaps because of their qualities, achievements, or position. Honor refers to how we treat a person. When we honor others, we treat them with dignity and do things that show we value them. Of course, for honor to be sincere, it must come from the heart (Matt. 15:8).
5. What motivates us to respect others?
5 Jehovah wants us to respect others. For example, he commands us to honor “the superior authorities” (Rom. 13:1, 7). However, someone might say: “I give my respect to those who earn it.” But is that a good way to think? No. As servants of Jehovah, we understand that we must respect others, not because of what they do or do not do, but for a much more important reason: because we love Jehovah and want to please him. (Josh. 4:14; 1 Pet. 3:15).
6. Is it possible to respect someone who disrespects us? (See also the image).
6 We may ask ourselves: “Is it possible to respect someone who disrespects us?” Yes. Consider the following examples. King Saul humiliated his son Jonathan in front of others (1 Sam. 20:30-34). Despite this, Jonathan continued to respect his father and fought alongside him until the day he died. (Ex. 20:12; 2 Sam. 1:23). The high priest Eli accused Hannah of being drunk (1 Sam. 1:12-14). However, she answered him respectfully, even though all Israel knew that Eli was not fulfilling his responsibilities as a father and high priest properly. (1 Sam. 1:15-18; 2:22-24). And some men from Athens insulted Paul, calling him a “chatterbox” (Acts 17:18). But he continued speaking to them respectfully. (Acts 17:22). These examples show that deep love for Jehovah and fear of displeasing him can motivate us to respect others even when it is not easy to do so. Let us now consider whom we should respect and why.
ILLUSTRATION
Jonathan, Saul and the Israelite soldiers with their swords, spears and shields fighting on a battlefield.
Although his father, King Saul, humiliated him, Jonathan continued to defend and support him. (See paragraph 6.)
LET'S RESPECT OUR FAMILY MEMBERS
7. What things can make it difficult to treat our family with respect?
7 The challenge. Since we spend so much time with family, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses very well. On the other hand, we may have family members who suffer from an illness that makes them difficult to care for, or who suffer a lot from anxiety. Or some may do or say hurtful things to us. And others treat the family with disrespect and turn the home from a haven of peace into a battlefield. All of this causes problems within the family. For example, just as arthritis causes physical pain and makes movement difficult, disrespect causes suffering within the family and makes living together difficult. While arthritis may be incurable, disrespect can be cured.
8. Why should we show respect to our family members? (1 Timothy 5:4, 8).
8 Why show respect (read 1 Timothy 5:4, 8). In his first letter to Timothy, Paul explained what family members should do to care for one another. He also said that we should honor our family not out of mere obligation, but primarily out of “devotion to God,” that is, because we love Jehovah and see it as part of our worship of him. Jehovah is the Creator of the family (Eph. 3:14, 15). So when we honor our family members, we are actually honoring him. What an important reason to show respect!
9. How can husband and wife treat each other with respect? (See also the pictures.)
9 How to show respect. A husband who honors his wife demonstrates his respect for her both publicly and privately (Prov. 31:28; 1 Pet. 3:7). He never beats her, humiliates her, or makes her feel worthless. A brother from Argentina named Ariel says: “Because of my wife’s illness, she sometimes says things that hurt me. What I do is remind myself that her words do not reflect what she really feels. In the most difficult moments I think of 1 Corinthians 13:5, and that helps me to speak to her with respect and calm” (Prov. 19:11). On the other hand, a wife who honors her husband speaks well of him to others (Eph. 5:33). She avoids sarcasm, mockery, derogatory names, and insults, for she understands that these things are like rust: they corrode a marriage. (Prov. 14:1) A sister in Italy whose husband suffers from anxiety explains: “Sometimes I feel that he worries too much about things. In the past, I showed him disrespect with the things I said and the faces I made. But I have realized that associating with people who speak respectfully of others helps me to be respectful toward my husband.”
ILLUSTRATION
Image series: A married couple treating each other with respect. 1. The husband speaks affectionately to his wife while they cook together. 2. The wife speaks well of her husband to some guests while he serves food to an older brother.
When we respect our family members, we are honoring Jehovah, the Creator of the family. (See paragraph 9.)
10. How can young people show that they respect their parents?
10 Young people, obey your parents and speak to them with respect (Ex. 21:17; Eph. 6:1-3). As they get older, they may need more care. So do everything you can to take good care of them. Let’s consider the example of a sister named Maria. When her father, who is not a Witness, became ill, she began caring for him, but he didn’t make it easy for her. Maria explains: “I prayed to Jehovah to help me feel respect for my father and to be able to show it to him. I told myself that if Jehovah asks me to honor my parents, he will give me the strength to do so. In time, I realized that I have to respect my father even if he doesn’t change the way he treats me.” When we honor our family members despite their flaws, we show respect for Jehovah, who created the family.
LET US RESPECT OUR BROTHERS
11. Why can we sometimes find it difficult to treat our siblings with respect?
11 The challenge. It is true that the brothers strive to put into practice what the Bible says. However, they may sometimes be unkind to us, judge us unfairly, or irritate us. If any of us "has a reason to complain about another," we may find it difficult to continue respecting him. (Col. 3:13). Now, what can help us?
12. Why is it important to respect our brothers? (2 Peter 2:9-12).
12 Why Show Respect (Read 2 Peter 2:9-12). In his second inspired letter, Peter said that some first-century Christians were speaking disrespectfully of “the glorious ones,” that is, the elders. How did the angels react to this? Peter explained that “out of respect for Jehovah” they did not say a single offensive word about those disrespectful and arrogant men. Interestingly, the angels, who are perfect, made sure not to say anything bad about them. Instead, they left it to Jehovah to judge and reprove them. (Rom. 14:10-12; compare Jude 9) We can learn much from the angels. If we are not disrespectful to those who persecute us, we will be even less disrespectful to our brothers. Rather, we should take the initiative to honor them (Rom. 12:10). In this way, we show that we respect Jehovah.
13, 14. In what ways do we show respect for our brothers and sisters? (See also the pictures.)
13 How to show respect. Elders, always teach with love (Philem. 8, 9). If you need to correct someone, don't let frustration get the better of you, but be kind. Sisters, avoid gossip and slander, and in this way you will help create and maintain an atmosphere of respect in the congregation. (Tito 2:3-5). And we can all show that we respect the elders. How? By cooperating with them and expressing our appreciation for all they do in conducting the meetings, organizing the preaching work, and helping those who have “fallen astray.” (Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:17).
14 A sister named Rocío struggled to respect an elder who had given her counsel. She relates: “I felt that he hadn’t been loving toward me at all. At home, I spoke badly of him. I tried not to show it, but inwardly I doubted his motives and refused to apply his counsel.” What helped her? She explains: “I read 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13 and realized that I wasn’t respecting the brother. Then my conscience began to bother me. I prayed to Jehovah and looked through our publications for information that would help me change my attitude. In time, I realized that the problem wasn’t the brother, but my pride. Now I understand that if I want to show respect, I have to be humble. I know that I have to keep working at it, but I feel at peace because Jehovah sees that I’m making an effort.”
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. An older sister reading the Bible and meditating on all that the elders do. 2. An elder giving a talk at a congregation meeting. 3. The same elder helping a brother in a wheelchair. 4. The same elder shoveling snow from the entrance of the Kingdom Hall.
We can all show respect for the elderly by cooperating with them and expressing our appreciation for what they do. (See paragraphs 13 and 14.)
LET US RESPECT THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITNESSES
15. Why can we sometimes find it difficult to treat non-Witnesses with respect?
15 The challenge. Often in preaching we encounter people who have no interest in God or the Bible (Eph. 4:18). Some refuse to listen to our message because of what they were taught to believe as children. On the other hand, we may have to deal with very tough and demanding bosses or teachers, or we may have difficult coworkers or classmates. We may gradually lose respect for them and find it difficult to treat them as we would like others to treat us.
16. Why is it important to respect those who do not yet serve Jehovah? (1 Peter 2:12; 3:15).
16 Why show respect. Let us remember that Jehovah is watching how we treat those who are not Witnesses. The apostle Peter reminded the Christians that their exemplary conduct could lead some people to glorify God. Therefore, he advised them to present a defense of their faith “with gentleness and deep respect.” (Read 1 Peter 2:12; 3:15). When defending their faith before a judge or anyone else, they should always treat others with respect, as if God were there with them. Ultimately, Jehovah hears everything we say and sees how we do things. This is certainly a compelling reason to respect those who are not Witnesses.
17. In what ways do we show respect for those who are not Witnesses?
17 How to show respect. In preaching, we never want to give the impression that we consider ourselves superior to those who know less about the Bible. On the contrary, we remind them that they are precious to God and see them as more important than ourselves. (Haggai 2:7; Philippians 2:3). If someone insults us for our beliefs, we resist the urge to retaliate. That's why we would never give a witty but sarcastic response. (1 Ped. 2:23). If we accidentally say something we shouldn't have, we apologize immediately. And how can we show respect at work? By being diligent and striving to focus on the positive aspects of our colleagues and bosses. (Tito 2:9, 10). It is also important that we be honest and work wholeheartedly. That way, even if we don't always please others, we will always please Jehovah. (Col. 3:22, 23).
18. Why is it worthwhile to treat others with respect?
18 We have very good reasons to respect others. We saw that if we respect our family members, we will be honoring Jehovah, the Creator of the family. Similarly, if we respect our spiritual family, we are honoring our Heavenly Father. And if we respect those who are not Witnesses, we are helping them perhaps to give glory, or honor, to our great God. Even if some people do not treat us with respect, it is worthwhile for us to treat them with respect because Jehovah will bless us for it. He promises: “I will honor those who honor me.” (1 Sam. 2:30).
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How can we show that we respect our family members?
We show respect for our family members when, for example, a husband demonstrates, both publicly and privately, that he values his wife. He never hits her, humiliates her, or makes her feel worthless. A wife speaks well of her husband to others, avoiding sarcasm, mockery, derogatory names, and insults. Young people obey their parents and speak to them respectfully, and as their parents grow older and require more care, they do their best to look after them.
How can we show that we respect our siblings?
We show respect for our brothers and sisters, especially the elders, by always teaching with love and, when correcting someone, not giving in to frustration but being kind. Brothers and sisters avoid gossip and slander. Furthermore, we can all demonstrate respect for the elders by cooperating with them and expressing our gratitude for all they do for the congregation.
How can we show respect for those who are not Witnesses?
We can show respect to non-Witnesses by treating them with humility, taking care not to give the impression of superiority, and remembering that they are precious to God. We resist the urge to retaliate if someone offends us because of our beliefs and apologize immediately if we say something we shouldn't have. Furthermore, we are diligent at work, striving to focus on the positive qualities of our colleagues and superiors, being honest, and working with all our might.
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