Be A Person Of Honor

What is honor? We respect people or some thing with our words and our actions because we consider them of great worth or value. Honor comes out of the value we place on a person or thing. When we honor someone, we respect what they think and we place value in their words and thus place great value in them as a valuable source of impartation into our lives. Their input is important to us. Why? Because we consider that what they have to offer us is necessary to produce what we need to live a good life. We value who they are and what they represent.

When we honor God and others, we are honored. When we honor our parents, we are honored. When we honor our spouses, we are honored. Honor is a word that seems to be lost in this new era in which we live. It appears to be a word that is forgotten in this present time. Where is the dignity of character and position that we once had as a people and as a nation? Where is the dignity afforded to positions God has ordained? Ministers are hardly recognized anymore as people to be honored. Parents are treated with disdain. Leaders are barely recognized as people of integrity and honor. What has happened to us?

Charisma has replaced honor. People are now drawn to those who satisfy their soulish desires, who cater to their fleshly desires. There is a vast difference between charisma and honor. Charisma draws people to oneself. Honor draws people to God. Why is that? God is the One Who originated honor. Honor is that quality that affords to others value and dignity and respect. It grows out of a place of humility. Pride doesn’t know honor. It cannot perceive the qualities of honor.

There is no place for honor when one has chosen to be elevated because of their own pursuit of power. True power comes from God. There is a worldly, counterfeit power that looks real and appears to bring results, but in the end it will bring devastation and destruction. God’s power is His Love; Love always respects others and sees the best in others and works for the best in others to come forth.

How can you tell true power and counterfeit power? True power is exhibited by a person in a position of leadership when their one desire is to see others prosper and succeed. Their goal is success for others. They are in leadership to produce that element of prosperity and success in other people’s lives. A counterfeit power appears to be interested in one’s prosperity but beneath that thin veneer of supposed concern for one’s welfare is selfishness and self-centeredness. What can I get out of this? How can I benefit from this? What is in it for me? The supposed concern is a façade, a front for the real person. The real person underneath is cunning, conniving and controlling. Their one desire is power and position of control.

What a travesty when any of us presume to think that we can achieve a place of honor when all we think about is ourselves. Honor comes from a place of selflessness, a place where we are genuinely desirous that others mature and succeed and are content. Honor is a place of respect for all people. It comes out of a heart that is tuned toward God and not ourselves. It truly is all about the heart. That is what this whole teaching is aiming toward. Everything we do ultimately comes from our hearts. What is in our hearts? What is in there? What is it producing in our lives?

Do you want to be honored? Ask God to melt your heart. Ask Him to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. Ask Him to clean house. Out of that housecleaning will come a pure heart that is aimed toward God and honors him and respects those around you. What a difference God can make.

Today let’s take a fresh, new look at honor. We need the character tag of honor more than we have ever needed it in this present world in which we live. Let us be the ones who pave the way and make a difference. Honor God; honor your parents; honor your children; honor your spouse;, honor your boss; honor your pastor; honor those in positions of authority, whether they deserve it or not. Of course, we do not honor sin, but we honor the position the person holds. If they are in sin, our prayers for them will give God the opportunity to deal with them. If they do not change, they are removed from their positions of authority. God will always respect honor. We honor others and God takes care of the rest. We do not have to judge or condemn or criticize. Sin will judge itself and self-destruct. Righteousness will judge itself and be exalted.

BE A PERSON OF HONOR! The world will be a better place because of you!