Keys to Success - Respect

This is the first in a series of articles on the keys to success. For our first topic, we will be looking at respect. Respect may be defined as the consideration of someone as worthy of high regard. In other words, treating people as if they are valuable.

Self Respect:

A Spanish Proverb states, ‘If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself’. This can be difficult for some people because they see themselves only in terms of their flaws or in terms of what they believe they cannot do. However, God sees us differently. Yes, we are human and we all sin, but God sent his son to die for our sins. When we accept this salvation, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. God also has a purpose for our lives. We are not some accidental combination of DNA, but a unique creation of God with a purpose ordained by him. Psalms 139:14 states we are ‘wonderfully made’ and it is true. When we see ourselves as God does, self-respect comes naturally.

Respect for Parents:

When children respect their parents, the home is much more orderly. God has also placed the parents over the children in the family. Ephesians 6:2-3 says ‘Honor your father and mother--which is the first commandment with a promise-- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’. Like us as individuals, the family is also created by God and is established with authorities over the home. When we respect these authorities, we respect God.

Respect for other Authorities:

We may not agree with those persons in positions of authority, but these people were placed in these positions by God. Romans 13:1 states ‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.’ These authorities include government leaders, police officers, teachers and others.

Respect for Others:

Maybe we can respect ourselves, our parents and authorities, but is that all? No, God wants us to respect all people. In 1 Peter 2:17, God’s Word says ‘Show proper respect to everyone’. We learned earlier that God has a plan for everyone and that is something we can respect. We do not have to agree with someone to respect them. You may not even like the things they do, but you can still treat them with dignity and courtesy. One of the quickest ways to get in trouble in our dojo is to ‘make fun’ of someone or call someone a name. When you do that, you are being disrespectful and you are hurting someone that Gods loves.

What would you do if I gave you a special gold coin that whenever you give it away, you get two more back. The more you tried to give them away, the more you got. Respect is like that. When you respect others, you get respect back twofold. Not only are you likely to be respected by the person you respect, but you will be respected by others who see you showing respect. On the other hand, being disrespectful shows a weakness of character that no one will respect.

Donnie Chaffin,
3rd Dan