Spiritual Guide for Success - #4

Please carefully read these two versions of Philippians 2:3-5 -- 

[NLT] Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus has. 

[NKJ]  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each ESTEEM others better than themselves.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which also is in Christ Jesus.

We're told to ESTEEM one another, which means:  "To value highly; respect."  However, I seem to see more disrespect these days!

My parents taught me to respect those in authority (like policemen, teachers, etc.), older people, and the like.  I was taught to say "please" and "thank you"--to be "polite."  

We lose respect for people who don't keep their word (break promises), are lazy, lie, cheat, are inconsistent, procrastinate, or when trust is broken.  We  gain respect when we keep our word and follow through with what we said we'd do, etc. 

I find it a rare occurrence when anyone truly takes an interest in what someone else has to say.  Most are more interested in telling their personal "tale of woes" (complaining), "tooting their own horn" (bragging), or trying to become "the center of attention" (it must be all about THEM)!  Just LISTEN to someone talk for an hour and you'll LEARN what's important to them, what they believe in, and what kind of person they are (proud, humble, caring, critical, self-absorbed, insecure, etc.).

People will think more highly of you and respect you more IF you show them respect and honor them by your words and your willingness to respectfully listen to them and validate their worth.