Being honorable and worthy of respect is every person's desire. In 1 Timothy 3:8-11 Paul speaks of one quality of maturity, which is to be 'worthy of respect'. Being reverent and honorable means to be a person of dignity. Paul tells us that this should be a goal of all Christians.

We should always set ourselves as worthy examples of doing good, being sincere, wholesome, and humble. When we exhibit these qualities in our life we develop respect and honorability especially as parents in a modern day. We must teach our children how to honor God as well as themselves and those around them. God's name reflects His character, there is nothing wrong, impure, nor dirty in Him. He is perfect. His Son, Jesus, lived a sinless and holy life. We must also honor God's Word. The bible is called Holy because every word from it comes from God. If we set these goals for ourselves, our families, and loved ones, then we can reflect on becoming honorable as Christians.

One way of doing this is to concentrate on those things that are noble. (Phil. 4:8) We cannot expect others to respect us if we concentrate on those things that are disrespectful and dishonorable. We cannot develop 'self'-respect and without self-respect we cannot win the respect of others.

Proverbs 23:7 says, 'As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...' What things do we expose ourselves that cause us to lose disrespect and the respect of others? Books, TV shows, movies, and anything that focuses on non-Christian behavior will eventually affect our self-respect. Many romance novels, magazine articles, soap operas, and movies focus on adultery, lying, gossip, foul language, and murder. Any Christian who takes God's standards for living seriously, but let's themselves be lead by the things of the world, will soon lose self-respect and honorability from their spouse, family, and friends.

Ask yourself this...

1. Do I feel good about myself?
2. How do I know others respect me?
3. Are there attitudes or actions in my life that violate God's Word?
4. Do I have a moral problem?
5. Am I a bitter person?
6. Am I proud or arrogant?

Self-respect is not pride. The bible tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Lev. 19:18) There is a self-love that is biblically proper. How you see yourself is not always how others see you. You may look in the mirror and see a bad person but others may see you as a very good and noble person. When we don't align ourselves and our lives to the Word of God then we can't respect ourselves.

If you lack self-respect and respect from others, confess it to God and claim His forgiveness. Accept yourself as He accepts you, with unconditional love. Remember that He is your Creator and He formed you in your mothers' womb and had a plan for you since before that! (Psalm 139) Then begin to conform your lifestyle to that of Christ and work at conforming more and more to His image. As you begin to change inside, and feel better about yourself, others will see that change too! 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...' - Romans 12:2