WALKING IN HONOR has a lot to do with our attitude and posture in the way we handle relationships. It is impossible to walk in love without honor and respect. And it’s impossible to honor others properly without humbling ourselves.
Honor means to treat with great consideration, to respect greatly, to esteem highly, and to treat with deference. Deference has to do with humble submission and considering others before yourself.
Proverbs 15:33 (NLT) tells us that “humility precedes honor.” To receive honor, you first have to give honor. Where there is a lack of honor and humility, there is pride.
Pride comes from Satan, and he tries to tempt everyone he can with it. James 4:6 (NKJV) says, “ ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ ” In verse 10 it says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” We are responsible for humbling ourselves.
At one time anger was a big problem in my life. I was seeking my father’s approval, but I was defensive and not good at receiving correction. My dad was a great man, but when he gave me instruction, I took it as criticism.
I began to realize that my problem—my insecurity and anger—stemmed from the pride in my life. I started restudying the subjects of humility as well as submission and authority. It was the key to turning my heart around.
It is impossible to walk in love without honor and respect.Steve Yoder
Honor in Relationships
The Word of God tells us to honor our parents (Eph. 6:2–3). Some people may have had an abusive parent. The Bible, however, doesn’t tell us only to honor “good” parents. Regardless of how we were treated, we are promised long life and that things will go well for us when we honor our parents properly.
Likewise, when we become parents, we have a responsibility to raise our children and set proper boundaries for them. Sometimes we make mistakes. When we go to our children and apologize for our mistakes, we are honoring them and setting an example for them to follow.
The same is true if you’re a business owner or a pastor. You may have offended someone, acted rudely, or did something wrong. It’s great when you can set aside your pride and say, “Hey, I made a mistake.” It shows that you’re real, that you’re a person of integrity. This also applies to our relationships with our spouse, friends, and coworkers.
Honoring Authority
We are to honor our leaders, both our spiritual leaders and those who are in governing authorities. God placed them in authority, and they exist by Him (Romans 13:1). And we see in First Corinthians 12:27–28 that God set spiritual leaders in the Body of Christ.
In Exodus, as long as Moses kept his staff raised during the Israelites battle with the Amalekites, the Israelites were winning. When he let his arms down because of fatigue, Joshua and his men started losing. Aaron and Hur honored Moses by holding up his arms so they could prevail (Exod. 17:9–13).
We all have a part to play in what God wants to be accomplished in the Kingdom of God. You may say, “I’m called to the ministry!” That may be true, but God will give you to a vision before He gives you your own vision. The key to a humble heart is knowing that it’s not about you. Be teachable no matter who is teaching. Humbling yourself puts you in a position to receive from God and others. It will keep you on top.
You might ask, “Where do I begin? How do I learn humility?” Follow love. It’s that simple. The more you humble yourself by following after love when someone has disrespected you, the more God will speak to you. Ask Him for guidance when you don’t know what to do or say, and He will help you.
Author
Steve Yoder
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One Comment on “Humility for Honor”
very inspiring, thank you!