When I was still working secularly (now I work for God), I had a Boss that seemed difficult to other colleagues of mine. They would always have one issue or the other with him. But I discovered I never had an issue with him; this is because I knew what he wanted and I gave it to him. He wanted respect; he loves to hear you answer, “Sir…” when he calls you.
Friend, respect is one of the passwords to effective relationship. Nobody wants to be ignored or disrespected. Every human being carries some measure of dignity and honour that must be recognized. They deserve to be respected. There is an ego in everyone that must be well managed if you hope to get the best out of them.
My spiritual father taught us to “always let respect go ahead of you everywhere you go and you would never be wrong”. Respecting people does not take anything from you but it can grant you unusual access. Respect will unleash Grace and Favour. Rebekah put respect forward and she connected her destiny in the Abrahamic lineage (Genesis 24:14-21).
I also learnt from my spiritual father that you should always call people what they call themselves. For example, if someone says he’s an Apostle, it would be a mark of disrespect to call him “brother”; why would you address someone as “Mr” when he says that he’s a “Dr”? A lot of quarrels and disagreements we have with people are not necessary. Learn to respect people; it provides the right atmosphere for a thriving relationship.
In marriage, respect should be mutual. Of course, the Bible encourages (or commands) wives to submit to their husbands but this is not a licence for husbands to disrespect their wives (Ephesians 5:22-24). Apostle Peter told husbands to give honour to their wives (1 Peter 3:7). Submission becomes easier for a wife whose husband treats with respect. Slavishness in marriage is not scriptural (Ephesians 5:21).
The law of respect also applies to every other kinds of relationships; pastors should respect their members, Bosses should respect their employees. The result would be an atmosphere of cooperation and productivity. The way you treat people is a reflection of the value you give to God, their creator; God did not create trash, He created treasures. Let respect always go ahead of you and you would never be wrong. Amen.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria