Honor has been on my heart these past several months. Whenever I am praying, whatever I’m praying about, honor has become a part of the prayer. At the time, I see the word printed on my mind’s canvas, stark and bold. It is a sweet reminder from Holy Spirit to not forget about honor. 💡
It has also caused me to be more aware of ways to honor. To think more carefully about what all honor entails. What does it really mean to honor?
As a noun, honor means to have high respect and great esteem or adhere to what is right.
As a verb, it means to regard with great respect or fulfill an obligation or keep an agreement.
So, what does honor have to do with us Christians? Everything. Especially in a time where honor is optional or even downright repugnant. 🥴 We, as followers of Jesus, have to set the standard and show what it means to honor.
There are a number of scriptures about honor in the Bible. First and foremost 🥇, we honor God:
…that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (John 5:23)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Revelations 4:11)
In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” (Revelations 5:12)
Then we honor others:
‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise. (Ephesians 6:2)
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs 14:31)
Here are a few other scriptures about honor:
…in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; (Psalm 15:4)
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (Matthew 15:8)
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
As all of these scriptures indicate, there are benefits to honor. I think Prov 22:4 (👆) sums it up rather nicely…we have to humble ourselves in order to show honor. It’s easy to honor ourselves first and forget about everything and everyone else, but that’s not the Father’s heart.
Also, we have to honor our commitments by doing what we said we would do, even if it’s no longer convenient or expedient. That’s a hard saying. Yes. Indeed. 🫣However, if we want to reflect ABBA well, we have to learn to honor Him and then, in turn, everyone and everything else.
We can see a pattern here. Honor is where it’s at. When we show high regard for God, others and for our commitments, we bring honor and glory to His Name. 🙌
~mnm