Honor is not Strategy

Honor is one of those words we hear often in Christian circles, yet I sometimes wonder if we have unintentionally changed its meaning. Over the years I have heard teachings suggesting that if we honor our leaders, God will promote us. If we honor those in authority, doors will open. If we sow enough honor, favor will eventually come back to us. While there is certainly blessing in living honorably, I believe it is worth asking an important question.

Is honor something we practice to receive something from God, or is it simply an expression of a heart that has been transformed by Him?

There is a significant difference between the two.

When honor becomes a strategy for obtaining promotion, influence, or blessing, it quietly shifts from an act of love to a transaction. Instead of reflecting the character of Christ, it becomes another spiritual technique that we hope will produce the outcome we desire. Without realizing it, we begin measuring honor by what it might accomplish for us rather than by what it reveals about the condition of our own hearts.

When we turn to the life of Jesus, however, we find a completely different picture.

Jesus consistently honored people who could offer Him nothing in return. He welcomed little children when others viewed them as interruptions. He showed compassion to widows who held no position or influence in society. He spent time with the poor, healed the sick, and extended mercy to those whom others had written off as sinners. He even knelt to wash the feet of His disciples, fully aware that one would deny Him, another would doubt Him, and Judas would betray Him before the night was over.

None of those moments were calculated.

Jesus was not trying to build a platform, gain influence, or position Himself for promotion. Every act flowed naturally from His character because He came to reveal the heart of the Father. Honor was never a strategy for Jesus. It was simply who He was.

That realization challenges the way we often think about honor today.

If I only honor people who can help me, introduce me to someone important, advance my ministry, or open doors for my future, am I truly practicing biblical honor? Or have I unknowingly turned honor into another formula for success?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” He didn’t limit that command to people who agree with us or those who have influence. Peter went even further when he wrote, “Honor everyone.”

That is both simple and challenging.

Honoring everyone does not mean pretending that everyone is right. It does not require us to ignore sin or remain silent when truth needs to be spoken. Scripture never asks us to compromise truth in order to appear loving. In fact, Paul instructs believers to “speak the truth in love.” Truth without love can become harsh, while love without truth loses its foundation. Biblical honor holds both together.

There are times when honoring someone means having a difficult conversation with humility. There are times when it means disagreeing without attacking another person’s character. There are even times when acknowledging difficult facts is the most honoring thing we can do because genuine honor is rooted in truth, not pretense.

Ultimately, honor has very little to do with the response we receive from others. It has everything to do with the condition of our own hearts. The real question is not whether honoring someone will lead to promotion or blessing. The real question is whether my words, attitudes, and actions reflect the character of Christ.

Jesus did not honor people because they deserved it.

He honored people because love flowed from who He was.

As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that same heart. We honor others not because we expect something in return, and not because we hope it will unlock the next opportunity, but because Christ first showed honor, mercy, and grace to us.

Honor is not a strategy for promotion.

It is the fruit of a heart that has been transformed by the love of God.

When we truly understand that, we stop asking, “What will honoring this person do for me?” Instead, we begin asking a far better question:

“Does the way I treat this person reflect the character of Christ?”

I believe that is the kind of honor Scripture has been calling us to all along.

Much Love

~Gayla~