Into Thy Word -
The Characters of Honor and Respect
Is the Character of Honor working in you?
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Honor from God’s most precious Word, by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
- How do I exhibit Honor in my daily life?
- What can I do to develop a better willingness to Honor and value people?
- What blocks Honor from working and being exhibited in me?
- How can I make Honor function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress?
· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Genesis 21:27-31; Exodus 18:7; 2 Chronicles 17:1-6; 18:1-4; 1 Samuel 24:8; Romans 14:1-4)
· Here are negative examples from Scripture (Genesis 18:12; Amos 1:9-15; Mark 10:35-40; 12:13-17; Luke 22:24-30; James 2:1-9 )
Having Honor and Respect means being polite and courteous to the people, the authorities, both ecclesiastical and civil, that God has placed in our lives. It is valuing and honoring our friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, coworkers, church members, and especially our spouses, and bringing out the best in them. With this character, we can effectively respect, admire and give tribute to others. (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Samuel 2:30; Psalm 119:9; 148:12-13; Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:1-11; Mark 12:29-30; Romans 13:1-10; 1 Corinthians 12:21-26; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 6:1-3; Philippians 2: 3-4;14; 1 Thessalonians. 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:17).
Disrespect, Humiliate, Undermine, Put Down and Show Up, are the opposites. These awful attitudes will delude our self-perceptions, as well as our relationships with God and others. God is very concerned with His children. When we are not honoring, it brings dishonor to our Lord; it cheats Him, and us, from precious connections and opportunities!
Further Questions
- How would you define Honor? Do you respect God? If so, what about people you do not like?
- What part do Honor and Respect play in our relationships with church leaders, the elderly, and with one another? Do you think God desires that we give special care or Honor to church leaders?
- How does Disrespect counteract Honor? What is the cost to others (God, family, friends, neighbors, church family, co-workers, etc.) when you are a person who likes to show others up?
- What happens to your relationship with God, with others, and with the opportunities God gives you when you put others down?
- When have you realized the Value in others the most? Do people have to earn your respect? If so, why? Is that Biblical?
- In what situation did you fail to Honor someone when you should have?
- What issue is in your life that would improve if you could show more Honor?
- Think through the steps you need to take to put Honor into action in a specific instance. What can you do to develop a deeper sense of Worship to God? How would this Respect and Honor of God affect your relationships? How can you start to treat others with dignity, especially those with whom you disagree or those you dislike?
The word for Honor from both the Greek and the Hebrew means to look upon and deal with someone as a valued individual. Honor is how we are to treat others. It comes from our Honor and worship of God, looking upon each person as a valued individual, and realizing others are His children too. Yet, this is so rare today! Respect has significantly diminished in its power and presence in most cultures since the 1960’s. We are taught at a young age not to trust people over thirty, and to disrespect authority and parents. This comes from music, TV, and movies, from the playground to the boardroom. Thus, a sitcom will portray the ten year old as more savvy and knowledgeable than a thirty or forty year old who has three to four times the life experience and education. It may be funny on TV, but, in reality, it disintegrates society and throws away valuable contributions and relationships. When we start to reject the foolishness of our culture and start to value people, we will be able to release the love and its relational power unto others. We will be better able to be used by the Spirit.
We have to realize that people are of immeasurable value to God. Therefore, we are to give each other Respect and Honor that is real, with good motives and attitudes, and not pretentious, because God has done this for you and me. It must be our desire to Honor and please God. In so doing, we are earnestly respecting others--even those with whom we disagree, and those we dislike! This will show our trust of and worship to Christ, loud and clear!
Our goal in evangelism is not to create people like ourselves. Rather, we are to help them be Christ-like! We do this best when we model His likeness with Honor! Do not give up your opportunities to be your best for His glory!
© 2003 R. J. Krejcir, Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org
