Respect Starts with You
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” Matthew 7:12
There is something powerful about treating people the right way. Not because they earned it, not because they deserve it, but because that is who you are. That is what real leadership looks like. The mistake that so many people in positions of influence make is assuming that leadership is about authority or control, when in reality it is about responsibility. And one of the first responsibilities of someone who leads is to model how to respect others.
In 1 Samuel 2, Hophni and Phinehas had influence. They were in spiritual positions that came with responsibility, but they were selfish and reckless. They disrespected people. They stole offerings from worshippers. They used threats and force to get what they wanted. They treated people as obstacles, not as individuals made in the image of God. What they showed us is that when a person only sees the world through the lens of self, they lose sight of what truly matters.
The Bible says these two men were sons of Belial, a term used to describe someone lawless or corrupt. That alone would be a harsh label, but what makes it even more tragic is that they were sons of Eli. They grew up around worship. They were raised near the things of God. And yet, even with all that exposure, they did not learn how to honor others. They did not learn to treat people with care. And that might be the biggest lesson of all. Because you can be around what is good and never be transformed by it. You can witness faith and never walk in it.
As someone with influence, you have to ask yourself, “What are the people around you learning from you?” Are they learning how to serve or how to take? Are they learning how to listen or how to dominate? Are they learning how to extend grace or how to make everything about themselves? You are teaching them whether you realize it or not. The standard you live by becomes the standard they think is acceptable.
Let’s be people who model empathy and accountability. Let’s be leaders who see others as valuable, who respect every person no matter their title, background, or opinions. The next generation is watching how we carry ourselves. Let’s show them how to lead with love.
There is something powerful about treating people the right way. Not because they earned it, not because they deserve it, but because that is who you are. That is what real leadership looks like. The mistake that so many people in positions of influence make is assuming that leadership is about authority or control, when in reality it is about responsibility. And one of the first responsibilities of someone who leads is to model how to respect others.
In 1 Samuel 2, Hophni and Phinehas had influence. They were in spiritual positions that came with responsibility, but they were selfish and reckless. They disrespected people. They stole offerings from worshippers. They used threats and force to get what they wanted. They treated people as obstacles, not as individuals made in the image of God. What they showed us is that when a person only sees the world through the lens of self, they lose sight of what truly matters.
The Bible says these two men were sons of Belial, a term used to describe someone lawless or corrupt. That alone would be a harsh label, but what makes it even more tragic is that they were sons of Eli. They grew up around worship. They were raised near the things of God. And yet, even with all that exposure, they did not learn how to honor others. They did not learn to treat people with care. And that might be the biggest lesson of all. Because you can be around what is good and never be transformed by it. You can witness faith and never walk in it.
As someone with influence, you have to ask yourself, “What are the people around you learning from you?” Are they learning how to serve or how to take? Are they learning how to listen or how to dominate? Are they learning how to extend grace or how to make everything about themselves? You are teaching them whether you realize it or not. The standard you live by becomes the standard they think is acceptable.
Let’s be people who model empathy and accountability. Let’s be leaders who see others as valuable, who respect every person no matter their title, background, or opinions. The next generation is watching how we carry ourselves. Let’s show them how to lead with love.
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