Of all the commands to honor one another, the one repeated most often pertains to honoring one’s father and mother (see Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4). This command was so important to God that if anyone cursed or struck one of his or her parents, then they were to be put to death (see Exodus 21:15, 17).
To Honor Is to Love
The word love is sometimes used synonymously for honor. Paul commands us to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). Honoring others above ourselves goes against our basic human instinct. It is only by walking humbly by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can esteem and honor fellow people more highly than ourselves (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3).
The book of Proverbs illustrates how our behavior results in honor. Proverbs 21:21 says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”
Let’s remember that honor as taught in the Scriptures is far different from the type of honor sought after by the world today. Honor and awards are frequently given to those with wealth, clout, worldly power, and celebrity status. Those who thrive on worldly honor are actually in a precarious place, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
We never want to be like the Pharisees who sought after honor from others, because Jesus totally rejected that type of behavior. He said, “Everything they do is done for people to see” (Matthew 23:5), and He not only labeled them as hypocrites but “snakes” and “vipers” too (Matthew 23:29-33).
The bottom line is that all of heaven raises its voice in honor and praise to God, and we are instructed to do likewise: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
What Happens When We Honor?
In 2 John 8 we learn that our full reward from the Lord is consequential. It says, “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.” I don’t know about you, but I want a full reward, not just a partial one.
Mark tells us of some folks who made bad choices and who did not receive their full reward:
“Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him.
“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.’ And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief” (Mark 6:1-6).
This is the very Son of God! He could do no miracles in His hometown because of the people’s unbelief, which ultimately resulted because of their lack of honoring Him. Do you see the power of dishonor at work here?
Isaiah had prophesied that the government would rest upon the shoulders of this Prophet, and that His kingdom would have no end. The people of the day assumed that the Messiah was to deliver everyone from Roman oppression, and when Jesus didn’t line up with the image they had in their minds, they became offended with Him and familiarity moved in. Jesus became just a carpenter to many: “Hey, isn’t that the carpenter? Didn’t he build the picnic table out back?”
