Respect is one of these concepts upon which much confusion rests. It is a concept I did not understand until Father began to show me what it is to be a Respectful man.
How do you know if you are being disrespected when you do not know what Respect is? I sure could not establish this for I lacked the foundation. What I called "normal" interaction between people was indeed a disrespectful interaction based on the perceived "value" that could be obtained from each person. If the person had the money or what I wanted or was socially above me, I was taught to treat them with an external display of respect while internally envying them and belittling them. In some cases lusting all over them greedily wishing to be like them and wanting to "earn" their attention and "favor" so as to gain some sense of self worth was warranted - "look whom I befriend, I must be important". If they had nothing to offer or were below my social status - like many believe natives of this Earth are - then I was taught to trample over them and to not even show any signs of external respect - after all, servants are to be ordered and regulated, not respected. In some cases, when the self worth was low, then a tyrannical display would be warranted to "show them who is the boss".
In the world this is a typical display of what is considered "respectful" behavior and many would not even recognize there is a problem with such a perspective. Yet in the Father's Way, the perception that you respect those who earn it and ridicule, mistreat those who don't, is simply unrighteous-unholy activity enveloped in the false pretense of civilized behavior.
In Father's Way, Respect is a natural Way of Life. You Respect Life - humans, animals, nature, plants, trees, stones and crystals, Earth and water. That is to say, you do not take advantage of Life, you do not abuse it, you do not ridicule it, you do not lust it or envy it, you do not seek to deceive, entrap, and enslave it, you do not seduce it, you do not manipulate it (psychologically or genetically), you do not destroy it or control it. In Father's Way, Respect needs not be earned by anyone, nor is it given based on social standing or value.
Respect is to allow people to be the beautiful, Peaceful, gentle, Loving expressions they are. It is to allow them to make the choices they need to make and allow them to live with the consequences of such choices. It is to not let them abuse you and to not let them turn you into their abuser. It is to not play the unrighteous-unholy game with them but to seek the Father's Way in all you do, say, and speak. It is to say: "I Desire not to play, get thee away. Get thee away ends your play" to those who would come to harm you. It is to speak gently, free of fear and insecurity.
Respect is a natural Way of Life because it is the Father's Way.