A Person who shows reverence has a habit of showing great respect and honor toward God, toward his person, and toward others placed in authority above him. Also included in reverence is a fear of the consequences of disobedience. A person who has reverence toward the Lord will have a sincere desire to P ease Hun in every area of his life. Other words associated with reverence are honor, awe, exalt, esteem, glorify, respect, and submission.
A lack of reverence is shown by disrespect, a mocking attitude toward authority, disobeying without conscious fear of the consequences, arguing with an authority, or being unconcerned about instruction. A lack of reverence will result in a lack of many other character traits, as the irreverent person is self-centered puts his own importance and needs above that of others. The irreverent person resists authority, and when caught doing wrong, is sorry for himself rather than being repentant.
Do you show reverence in your life? Is reverence a habit that you have? Can all of the people that you associate with see it in your life?
- I always bow my head and close my eyes when another person is praying out loud.
- I sit still and listen attentively in church.
- I listen seriously, respectfully, and attentively whenever the Word of God is being taught.
- I respect the house of God; I am quiet and well-behaved when I am in the church building.
- When I talk to friends, they can tell by how I talk that I respect and honor my teachers.
- I do not look at or watch things that in any way might dishonor the Lord.
- I am not ashamed to defend the honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- I do not use my body (the temple of the Holy Spirit) in any way that might bring dishonor to the Lord.
- Others can tell by watching my attitudes and behaviors that I show reverence to the Lord.
- At least once each day I pray while kneeling in reverence to God.
Do you show the kind of reverence that you should toward God and toward those in authority over you? Set a goal for yourself in an area where you are now having difficulty in showing reverence.
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” Psalms 95:6,7
