Among the ungodly attitudes of the pagan world, described in the first chapter of Romans, was that of being despiteful (KJV) or insolent (ASV, NIV) (verse 30). It is translated from hubristes, which according to Thayer means "1) an insolent man 2) one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong". To be insolent is to be "disrespectful of custom or established authority; impertinent, impudent." (Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language) God says that "they who commit such things are worthy of death" (verse 32).

Maybe it is just our casual, care-free society, but I think I see a disturbing trend among professed Christians toward this sin. Behavior and speech toward and about those who should command our special reverence and respect seems to have deteriorated into a near-insolent stance, if not completely so. "Hi Dad," is hardly the way to address the Ruler of the universe as was reportedly done by a young man in a public prayer in a Texas congregation. God is not a mere "buddy," but our Maker and Sustainer, with all the majesty that goes with it. Around the world there is a steady decline in showing respect for those should be given special honor.

One needs to keep in mind that there are those greater than he for various reasons, before whom he displays special respect and not to be approached as peers. It might have been alright for Joseph to have enjoyed the "casual look" in the company of his fellow prisoners, but when the Pharaoh sent for him he "shaved himself, and changed his raiment" (Gen. 41:14). Special respect was called for when standing in the king's presence, so Joseph had some getting ready to do. Insolence grows out of an unholy pride that says, "I am equal in rank to anybody and probably greater than most" — an attitude completely foreign to the very spirit taught by Jesus, our Savior (Matt. 18:1-3).

The first seeds of insolence are usually sown in the home. Children are allowed to insult parents without fear of consequences. "Disobedient to parents" is also listed in verse 30. Children need to be made aware of the fact that parents have a special place of honor (Eph. 6:2). They may not always be perfect, but they are always parents. One's parents are not to be treated, spoken to or spoken about disrespectfully. It is a shame the way some children give their parents the lip. One may not have to agree with his parents always — but he should disagree with respect. The idea that a father should be just like a "buddy" to his son or a mother should be just like a "pal" to her daughter, in my judgement, contributes to the tread toward disrespect. A young man or young lady can find buddies and pals all over the place, but only one dad and one mom to look up to. They are special! They command special respect and consideration.

Special respect for age is a biblically sound principle. "Thou shalt rise before the hoary (white or grey) head, and honour the face of the old man…" (Lev. 19:32). Elihu had urgent words for Job, but he "waited til Job had spoken, because they were elder than he." (Job 32:4). The New Testament commands respect for age (1 Tim. 5:1-2). The elder (older man) is to be corrected more gently than a younger man. Older people should be addressed with extra respect, different from one's peers. Older people need correction from time to time. They should receive it, but it should be with less sharpness than for a younger person.

"Civil disobedience" are words coined in our time to cover up for old-fashioned rebellion and anarchy. A faithful Christian will have no part of it. He is commanded to show respect and obedience to civil authority for conscience sake. (Rom. 13:1-5). He shows honor and respect for civil officials (1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) even when the officials themselves may be less than honorable. Time may come that one must obey the higher authority of God, as did the apostles on occasion (Acts 5:29), but even then he respectfully disobeys civil authorities. It may be necessary to rebuke the moral conduct of public officials, as did John the Baptist in the case of Herod, but even there it should be done without a spirit of insolence or rancor. In all this, one must not confuse his own likes and dislikes or his own sense of fairness and justice with the will of God. If one must ignore or otherwise disobey public officials—he should be prepared to point to the specific decree of God that is violated by the civil law. This, the apostles could do. They were under orders from heaven to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15,16; Matt. 28:18-20), the very thing the officials were prohibiting.

In the church, there is a disturbing drift toward despising the spiritually mature. Elders are to be "esteemed very highly in love for their works sake" (1 Thess. 5:12,13) and are to be especially "remembered" and "honored" (Heb. 13:7,17). Yet, in many places elders (and older preachers) are esteemed very lowly. This does not mean to accept, without investigation, anything they might say or do (cf. Acts 17:11). This does not mean to exalt anyone into some kind of "clergy." This does mean to show respect due one for his "works sake" and years of experience. One's years of study and experience in the word of God should count for something. Yet, there is a marked trend in the church to discount the value of such maturity of knowledge and experience. Too often, a young "know-it-all" expects his judgement to be worth just as much or more than that of his more experienced brethren. It is too easy to lightly toss aside the teaching and advice of mature brethren, with a "well-that-is-just-his-opinion" attitude without adequate consideration of the matter in the light of the scriptures; and the fact that experienced brethren are more likely to see dangers easily overlooked by the inexperienced. If, after due consideration, it is proven that the mature person has indeed erred in word or deed—the correction process should be set into motion, but with all the respect for the age and experience of the erring one. The fact that one may have spent years in study and application of the Scriptures means nothing to the novice overcome by pride and a sense of his own importance—he must let folks know that he can "do his own thing" and thinking. For shame! On the other hand, more mature brethren would do well to watch their pride in dealing with others—one can be wrong at any level of experience!

Above all, one must approach God in all reverence. One should respect His name (Matt. 6:19). One should reverence the Bible as the word of God. One should worship Him in reverence (John 4:24). When we meet for public worship, we pray to God. We sing to God. We study and preach God's word. We remember Christ's death in the Lord's supper. These things should be approached with all the awe that these facts and the occasion demands and not with a casual attitude. One's appearance and deportment in worship should be above the casualness of a dormitory bull-session, a sports pep rally or just hanging around the house. Yet, I fear that it is often approached with just such informal casualness—even though the service is directed to the most majestic and powerful of all beings, the God of heaven.

The gospel of Christ, applied to the heart, will remove insolence from our lives—if believed and obeyed. (Rom. 1:16)

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