How many of you have heard the statement, "Respect is earned; not given"? Is this statement absolutely true, or is it only partially true given certain circumstances? A lot of ignorant young people these days spout off at the mouth with this argument, and they do so falsely having zero clue what they are talking about. They heard it said somewhere once and thought it sounded good and so they attempted to rip it off and use it for their own disobedience and rebellion.
Imagine this scenario, if you will. A teacher and an unruly student are talking about something in class. The teacher answers the student in what is perceived as a "diss" against him. The student demands to be treated with respect. The teacher then answers, "Respect is earned, Mr. So-and-so; not given."
The truth of the matter is that respect is both given and earned. Respect is due, and must be given, to authority figures: parents, teachers, bosses, one's elders, the police, etc. Where respect is earned is with those under authority: children, students, employees, youngsters, etc. In certain circumstances, there is even such a thing as mutual respect. The majority of problems in this country today stem from the idiots who removed all discipline from children, allowing them to disobey authority figures out of rebellion, leaving them answerable to no one. They have and show zero respect for anyone, and then you wonder why.
Where these ignorant children of today err is in mistaking respect for trust. Trust must be earned. In certain aspects, we automatically place it the primary time. If that trust has been violated, it then must be earned back. If that trust has been broken by someone in authority, you are still obligated to show them respect. You do not need to trust them, but you still owe them—or at least their position—respect.
"Give to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:7-8
"Respect to whom respect." Give respect to whom respect is due. Do not owe (have an obligation to pay, or be under moral obligation to give) respect to anyone. If you withhold respect from those to whom it is due, you owe them. Do not owe anyone by making sure you give respect where it is due: parents, teachers, bosses, one's elders, the police, etc.
The disobedient, rebellious, emotional snowflakes today need to pull their heads out from where the sun does not shine and start giving respect where it is due, before they disrespect the wrong person and get their derriere handed to them.
Young people and those under authority are to whom respect must be earned! For those in positions of authority, respect must be given!
"Every person is to be in submission to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Give to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:1-8
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17