1 Timothy 5:1 (NET) Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers
Before Mike accepted the Lord Jesus, he believed that the only thing in a person that made that person warrant his respect is if the person has more money and power than him. So he would respect only elders that have more money and power than him but disregard those that he has more money or power than.
But after Mike accepted the Lordship of Christ, without any teaching on this subject, because of His fellowship with the Holy Spirit, he just knew that his former manner of conduct was wrong. He found that he now intuitively respected his elders because they are his elders and not because of any other reason.
Apostle Paul sent Timothy as his representative to establish the churches in Ephesus. Even though Timothy was a young man, he was occupying a seat of great authority over the churches in that area, and he had such authority that he could normally rebuke anyone in the church, including the elders. But by the Spirit of the Lord, Apostle Paul is instructing him in today’s verse not to talk harshly to an elder.
In the kingdom of God, we respect our elders even if we are more powerful than them and they are under our authority. This is a sign that we respect God rather than money/power. A person who only honors mammon will not honor an elderly person he has more money and power than. But one sign that a person fears the Lord is that he would respect his elders, even if he is more powerful than them.
A person who truly honors his parents would honor other people who are in his parent’s age group. That’s just the way man is wired.
From the old Testament, we see that the Lord instructs His people concerning respect for elders.
Here’s what the Lord says in Leviticus:
Leviticus 19:32 (NET) You must stand up in the presence of the aged, honor the presence of an elder, and fear your God. I am the Lord.
Go into today remembering that if a person truly fears the Lord, it will show in his conduct. Remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me show honor to whom honor and is due. Give me the wisdom to lead wisely whenever I have the opportunity. Amen.
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—Abraham Damilola Arigi
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