Respect and Honor
Showing respect is something that must be learned.
I reached the top of the hill with the Dog that overlooks the river below, when I realized I had a dream the other night. It was clear, not full of symbolism, but fairly obvious in its meaning.
I was sitting in a room with a couple of handfuls of other Christian leaders from other cultures. There were Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern people, at least the ones I recognized. It was comfortable seating in the room of which I assumed was like a large lodge. This room was connected to a far larger room via a set of open double doors.
In that room was an ongoing worship service of local, tribal Americans from a reservation. We were sitting as they progressed, waiting. From time to time, one of the men of our group would make a quick comment to a man seated on the left or the right. It was not offensive, but the voice was just loud enough that I knew it was carried to the room next door.
These actions irritated me, because I knew the purpose of us being next door was to learn respect before the Tribal leaders would allow a greater connection between our groups. Many of these men could not stop their own mouths, and if it wasn’t for the fact that any action on my part towards them would have disrupted the larger meeting. I would have gladly rebuked them for their rudeness.
The Apostle Peter says things this way, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” 1 Peter 2:17
A biblical form or understanding of respect could be viewed this way. Since mankind was made in God’s image, and Jesus went through the cross to bring everyone back to the Father. Then disrespecting people runs the risk of disrespecting the image of God in them. Even if they do not know they have it.
I say “runs the risk” because there are several examples in scripture where Jesus got in the face of the religious leaders of the day (as did Paul) and rebuked them. But even in that, his rebuke could be argued as not only a form of respect for letting them know how much danger they were in. But also a greater respect towards the common people for standing up and defending them against a bad system.
In our human cultures, there is a lot of repair work to be done. The first level of this is respect. Can we do that? Or are you and I like the leaders in my dream, a person who feels above everyone else and loves to hear their own voice?
We all have bad attitudes from time to time, but there is a big difference between a “pattern of thought” and a bad day. A pattern of thought would be the typical stereotype of the wandering Angry Prophet of the 18th & 19th centuries. Traveling from place to place, town to town, screaming and yelling at crowds to repent for their sins.
These things sometimes produced fruit in the form of miracles, but rarely did they produce the fruit of a changed life that remained. That is because responding out of guilt to appease a bad attitude is not lasting fruit. Nor can you find this method of ministry reflected in the actions of the New Testament. Yes, Jesus yelled, and was angry… but consider the context of when he did so.
If the Kingdom of God is going to advance on the Earth like in the days of old. Then a restoration of basic elements must take place in the hearts of Kingdom people. Respect, Honesty, Integrity, and Hospitality need to become so common that it is normal for us to do so.
The reality is that the reason bridges between Christian cultures are either not built or are currently falling apart has a lot to do with respect more than theological differences. That is because respect is a form of Love. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 Without respect, there is no love; there is only hidden contempt.
Respect, however, like many other biblical concepts, can be twisted in the religious corporations' favor. One of the bigger ones that many young prophetic people have experienced in their journey has been in churches that control or forbid prophetic words.
Another Example: Who made the Greater Error?
I recently saw a video on the Protestia X channel where a pastor who was already emotionally worked up from his own sermon got interrupted by an elderly woman who said she had a word from the Lord. Looking it over, I would say both failed to show respect for each other. I know 1 Corinthians 14 makes it clear that a measure of order and respect should be shown to everyone during our meetings.
In the case of prophetic words, it says, “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” 1 Corinthians 14:29
The reality is we can respectfully interrupt, or we can come in like a sledgehammer, demanding our time. The best way in such a meeting, if you're an outsider and do not know how the local body handles these things, is to raise your hand. “Sir, I believe I may have a word that the Lord has given me.”
At that point, the leader in charge has several options; here is the short list that I can think of.
“Thank you, can you give me five minutes. I want to finish my point and not lose my train of thought.”
“Thank you, we have reserved a place at the end of the service for anyone who has a word. Can you wait for that?”
“Thank you, here at “______” we like to have our elders hear the word first before it is delivered to the congregation. Would you mind meeting with one of our elders off to the side of the room while I continue?”
“Thank you, sure. Come on up.”
Instead, this younger Pastor, got angry and openly rebuked the elderly woman in the congregation in a way that should not be done. So, both failed to show respect. She should have brought her word forth in a better way. He, however, broke several scriptures by showing disrespect to her.
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16
Broken Relationships
Another thought, or should I say observation. In my travels, one of the things that I have noticed is that the Lord often sends immature prophets to immature and sometimes legalistic leaders. I suspect this is a test that some pastors have failed. Pastors need prophets just as much as Prophets need Pastors. Here is an opportunity for both to grow, learn from each other, and bless the congregation with what they have learned.
But how many have tossed them out? How many prophets grew up not having the proper input into their lives? How many pastors are now limping along in life because they don’t have what the Lord wanted to give?
We complain against the big-name prophets whose lives have now been exposed with their sexual sins. How many of those were struggling under the reality of broken relationships that could have brought healing?
Pastor, don’t toss the younger prophet out, show respect and give your rebuke in private… like a brother.