The Word of God gives us vital principles that determine our progress in life. These principles give us an edge and help us succeed. One of such principles is giving honor, and we will explore this critical topic today. We will delve into what the Bible says about it and examine what it means to give honor, who we should honor, and why we should do so.
What does it mean to give honor? Honor means showing respect or recognition, giving esteem or preference towards others. Therefore, giving honor means respecting, recognizing, and esteeming others.
Who should you honor? In 1st Peter 2 v 17, God directs us on whom to give honor, classifying those to whom we should honor into four groups: all men, the brotherhood, God, and the king. All men refers to everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike. The brotherhood refers to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Honoring God means having reverential fear towards Him. The king refers to those who have authority over us.
Why should we give honor? Proverbs 4:7-8 states that wisdom is the principal thing. Exalt wisdom, and it will promote you. Love it, and it will bring you honor when you embrace it. The Bible, which is the wisdom of God, gives us instructions to live by and teaches us to give honor. Therefore, we give honor because God instructs us through His Word to do so. To disobey God’s Word is dishonoring Him. Not walking in honor means not walking in the light to which we have been called. Every child of God is a person of honor, and we were created to be honored. However, you cannot receive honor until you give it. God wants us to honor others because of what honor does for us. If you don’t give honor, you can’t receive a harvest of it. You can only reap what you sow, as Galatians 6:7 confirms.
Honoring all men entails respecting, recognizing, and esteeming everyone. It means treating people kindly, following good practices, and doing good to all. 1 Thessalonians 5 v 15 instructs us to see that we render no evil for evil unto anyone. David, in 2 Samuel 9 v 1-13, showed Mephibosheth kindness, even though he was Jonathan’s son. This act of kindness is what God expects from us, to honor others, even when we think they don’t deserve it. We should learn to honor everyone, the taxi driver, the elderly, and anyone else we meet in life. Recognition is a way of honoring people, and by rising up to recognize the elderly, we give them honor. Leviticus 19:32 instructs us to honor the elderly by rising up to recognize them.
In conclusion, giving honor is a principle that God expects us to apply in our lives. We must learn to honor everyone, treat people kindly, and do good to all. By doing so, we will experience God’s blessings in our lives.
