“Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, show respect for the king. You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters. Do whatever they tell you – not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are harsh.”

It’s not unusual to hear cheap shots and disses being thrown around the office about the competition, the boss, and other co-workers. Why is it so easy to just spout off and say something that is so disrespectful? It may be that the other party is not standing there to provide a rebuttal. But, it’s also too many times part of the bravado of building ourselves up by tearing down others. When I hear CEOs do it against other companies and other leaders, I think it just pulls down their own credibility and authority. The truth of the matter is that if we can’t find someway to respect others and give them the credit that they are due, then we will never fine-tune and sharpen ourselves to become better. If we lower the bar on others then why should we or our organizations and teams jump higher? The greatest respect comes from giving credit where credit is due, examining and finding where they are better than we are, and ensuring that we then make our own improvements.

As we work with others, we are to show our proper respect to everyone, regardless of position, stature, opinions, or how we are treated by them. Wow, is this ever hard? Especially when just about everyone and everything around us is taunting us to do just the opposite? The crowd loves to tear down the weak, but we are to stand up for the weak and the broken! As we go through today, can we pick out the people who are due some respect and reach to them and pay them the respect we are taught that they deserve. A simple act and word of respect can go an unlimited number of miles. Let it dwell in our spirit and find ways to pay a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Reference: 1 Peter 2:17-18 (New Living Testament)