Do Not Disrespect Others ...

To disrespect someone is to disrespect God. It does not please God when we disrespect his creation. We are created in God's image. We are in the wrong when we call people names or labels and use words that ultimately hurt them. 

2 Kings 2:23-24
He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Sadly, many times 'humor' is a tool to malign someone. How can you know if you are disrespecting someone? Do your words build someone up or tear them down? 

Some Examples of tearing down:

Do your words encourage / highlight / support the 'You ain't from around here, are ya?" mentality?

Rather than calling attention to differences, God is pleased when we build up / edify others. Not tear them down by saying things that promote isolation / non-acceptance.

Have you heard someone joke about people who are 'bipolar' ...  that they should just let go of one pole? How disrespectful to make light of this condition!!!

Have you ever taken a serious medical condition, proceeded to trivialize it and (in a joking tone - so that makes it okay - right?), then proceeded to say you could call the person experiencing these medical symptoms a 'dizzy blonde'?

Humor has no place when dealing with medical issues. 

Instead of feeling valued, the person, who is the butt of the joke, instead feels isolated and disparaged.

Ministry in song to show us the importance of words and to lift our thoughts and inspire us to pure words lifting up others:

Click to listen-->    Speak Life - TobyMac        Words by Hawk Nelson

If your first reaction to this post is 'the person that was hurt has a problem, not me': Please meditate on your words and actions. Are they Positive? Prone to being Negative? What can you do to make a change for the good?

Maranatha,
Anna