Webster defines Courtesy as 1. excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior. 2. a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression. 3. favor, help, or generosity.
God's word has much to say about courtesy and its place in the Christian's life. In the sermon that Jesus preached from the mount, he said "Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven." {Matthew 5:16} What sort of light shines from a person who is rude and unkind? Consider the following passages:
Matthew 7:12 - "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
I Corinthians 10:24: "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth."
In I Corinthians 13:4-5, Paul, speaking of love and describing it, said: "Charity suffereth long (is patient), and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself (is not rash), is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly (is not rude), seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."
Ephesians 4:31-32: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Philippians 2:3-4: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory (selfishness or empty conceit); but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
In every situation, I need to put myself in the place of the other person.
- Consider the impact of my words and actions.
- Consider the intent of the person who is speaking to me.
Mankind is God's creation. We revere God, and we should revere his creation. This is not always easy, because some choose to be unappealing. Another's lack of courtesy does not excuse mine. We must do right, regardless whether it is easy.
Consider Jesus and the example He set.
- In Mark 10:13-16, he received kindly the little children whose mothers brought them to Him to be blessed. His disciples were not so inclined.
- In Mark 10:17-22, a rich, young, ruler came asking Him what he must do to be saved. Jesus could have answered him rudely. After all, he interrupted; he came, a rich man, to God's son who had no earthly possession, to ask a question to which he should have known the answer. Yet, the verses tell us that Jesus loved him and answered kindly.
- Consider how He treated the woman caught in the act of adultery; and the Samaritan woman at the well.
We must forgive when others sin against us. It is never right to speak to or treat others unkindly. Seize your opportunities. Look for ways to be kind and courteous.
"I expect to pass this way but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show or any good I can do for my fellow human beings, let me do it now. Let me not defer it nor neglect it, for, I shall not pass this way again."