"Respect is Earned. Honor is Given."
- Rita Larson
- Apr 18, 2023
- 4 min read
I had to fly to San Diego for work today and as I sat on the plane, I had two different scenarios around me. I had a teenage girl behind me, who was being very disrespectful to her mother, and the more the mother tried to quiet her, the more disrespectful she became. To the left of me, I had a young married couple and clearly, they were not on good speaking terms. Every time the wife would ask the husband a question, he would be very short with her and respond with sarcasm. While I do not know the circumstances in both situations, I began to think about respect. I quietly began to pray for those around me, and honor, or the lack thereof, came to mind.
I have always heard the saying that "Respect is earned. Honor is given." When you think about the difference, respect is something that you show someone because of what they do, and the actions they perform. Honor is something that you give because of who someone is, and because of the position they hold. You may not respect a person because of their beliefs or values, but you can still honor them if they are in a position of authority. When you honor a person you serve them. You value them. You tend to the relationship. You encourage them. You elevate them. You esteem them.
Honor is more than respect. It is a virtue that is essential in every relationship that we have and needs to be at the heart of every interaction we have, whether it be in our personal or professional lives. Honor is how we esteem someone else. Honor is the fundamental foundation of every relationship that we have, whether it is between a husband and a wife, husband, and wife, parent to a child, or those in governmental authority over us. The Word of God is clear that we are to honor one another, reminding us of the promises that came with it. After all, believers in Christ are of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. We hold a position of authority that commands honor in the name of Jesus!
1 Peter 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” From this scripture, we can see that honoring your spouse is key to a successful marriage. God promises that our prayers will not be hindered if we give our spouse the honor they deserve. Ephesians 5:33 further explains this concept, saying, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” This verse is an important reminder to both men and women to honor their spouses.
Ephesians 6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” I didn’t realize until digging in, but this is actually the first commandment that comes with a promise, showing just how important it is to honor both our mother and our father. If we do so, God will reward us with a life of abundance and longevity.
God also instructs us to honor those in governmental authority over us. 1 Peter 2:13-17, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” God wants us to honor those in authority and obey the law of the land as it aligns with God's Word. We need to honor those that have been called as leaders and placed in authority by Him.
In Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” and in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, scripture says "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves". In both of these , we are reminded to give "double" honor to those called and working within the gifts of ministry. Those called to ministry have been called to do great works in His name. We are instructed to honor our Pastors and the Elders in our church.
Honor is an important characteristic of living a Godly life. It is a demonstration of love, respect, and obedience to God’s Word. When we honor others, we show that we are willing to put their needs before our own. We also demonstrate an attitude of humility and grace, which is pleasing to God (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 KJV). Ultimately, honoring relationships is a key to living a life of blessing. When we honor our spouses, our parents, and those in authority, we are honoring God and inviting His blessings into our lives. As we honor those around us, we open ourselves up to the promise of a life full of grace, peace, and joy. ©Rita Larson 4/18/2023
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