Etiquette

by Candace Joy
from Virtuous Daughters, October 2007~Volume 7, Number 7

As we look at the subject of etiquette, it would be wise to go to the Bible as our source of wisdom. Etiquette books can be a help as we seek the proper way to do things, but if etiquette does not begin in the heart, it will be merely an outward show. Our etiquette needs to be genuine and prompted by a love for the Lord. As we learn and apply what God’s Word says about our interactions with others, we will be treating those around us in a polite, godly way.

I think that “one another” verses would be a good starting point for us as we consider what the Bible says about how we should treat others.
 
Love one another. (Jn. 13:34, 15:12, 15:17; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:11, 3:23, 4:7, 4:11; 2 Jn. 1:5)
Loving one another is very important. In John 15:12, Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. It is by our love for one another that people will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35). One good test of whether our actions are loving is to make sure that we would want someone else to do the same thing to us. 1 John 5:2 says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.” As we are admonished in 1 John 3:18, it is not enough for us to just say that we love others; our deeds need to show it too. A few of the ways that we can show love to one another are spending time with our siblings, doing something that they would enjoy, or raking the leaves or folding the laundry without being asked.

Forbear one another. (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13)
The word “forbear” means to put up with or endure. This concept would include: not staring at others or pointing out their quirks, being patient as others learn new things (whether they be character qualities or skills), and sweetly rocking your little sister to sleep even when she is restless.
 
Provoke one another—to love and good works. (Heb. 10:24)
This is the type of provoking that God commands us to do; another version translates this word “stimulate.” This means that we are to look for ways to help others to display love and to do good. Praising others for character we see God working into their lives has the effect of motivating them to do more of what they have been praised for, so that would fall into this category.
 
Edify one another. (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11)
Our goal should be to build others up and encourage them in their walk with the Lord through our words and actions. We can put this verse into practice by talking with others about things that we have learned from the Bible or ways that God has blessed us.

There are several other “one another” verses that you can look up if you want to study this subject further.

​As I close, I want to encourage you to look to God for the strength to be the young lady that He wants you to be. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)! I think it would be profitable for you to choose one of the above verses to meditate on and put into practice in your own life.