Daily devotion – Teaching respect and giving respect.
Speaking with Respect To Those Older in Years
I remember when Helen and I first came to Christ. From the moment we were saved, we dedicated our lives to serving the Lord and being in fellowship whenever the opportunity arose. It was a whole new way of living. Our time, priorities, and even our weekly schedule were now shaped by our relationship with the Lord and our commitment to His church.
As we began this new life, we learned many new things. One of the first was hearing the older believers address us as “Brother ….” and “Sister …..” Each service we would be warmly greeted at the door in this way, and whenever we were introduced to someone new, it was often, “This is Brother…” or “This is Sister…”
Neither Helen nor I had ever been addressed like that before or addressed others in this way.
This terminology is deeply rooted in biblical truth. When we are born again, God adopts us into His family. We are no longer strangers but sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Romans 8:15
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:6
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Those simple words—brother and sister—carry great meaning. When spoken to those who were older than us in years and in their walk with the Lord, they conveyed honour, respect, and appreciation. When spoken among those of a similar age or stage of faith, they reminded us that we had become part of a new family—a spiritual family where we could, as Paul wrote, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15).
Sadly, our modern culture has become increasingly casual in the way it speaks to others, and this attitude has gradually found its way into many churches. There seems to be less honour shown by younger believers toward those who are older in years and who have faithfully walked with the Lord for decades.
Scripture teaches us a different path.
If you have children or grandchildren, it is never too early—or too late—to teach them how to respectfully address those who are older. Such habits cultivate humility, gratitude, and honour, qualities that are becoming increasingly rare.
The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to ensure that the church maintained this spirit of respect.
1 Timothy 5:1–2
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”
Notice the family language Paul uses. Older men are to be treated as fathers, older women as mothers, younger men as brothers, and younger women as sisters. This is not merely a matter of etiquette; it reflects the reality that the church is the household of God.
Honouring those who have gone before us is a biblical virtue. They have weathered trials, remained faithful through many seasons, and often have wisdom that only years of walking with Christ can produce. We would do well to listen to them, learn from them, and speak to them with the respect they deserve.
May we never lose the beautiful truth that, in Christ, we are family. And as God’s family, let us be known for honouring one another, especially those whom the Lord has graciously given many years and much experience in His service.