Have Honor

1 Samuel 16:7 “The LORD doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”  

America, at her core, has honor in her veins. Any military branch has a code about honor. Any proud American talks about honoring the country. Honor runs deep in American heritage and honor runs deep in Christianity. We are told to honor our parents, honor our spouse, honor our God. So what does it mean anyway? What does HONOR really mean?  I asked for people to share their thoughts on what honor means and I got some really good responses! I definitely believe we can give a definition of honor but when you walk away from an encounter, do you feel you expressed honor? 

When you are angry in the moment and react not so kindly to those around you, are you expressing honor? 

When you see something in the nation not moving in the direction the country was founded on and you just post about it on Facebook are you expressing honor? 

When you complain to your friends about your husband/wife, are you expressing honor? 

When you feel that tug inside of you to do something (like offer to pray for a friend) and you don't, is that expressing honor? 

 

1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God is always looking inward, at our thoughts and intentions. In the questions I posed, they all show a reflection of our heart in the moment. We know the definition of honor, but do we EXPRESS honor? 

Thoughts and intentions. That's where it all matters according to God. That's where honor is made or destroyed. 

If you want people to treat you with respect, to value your opinions, if you want people to honor you in a way that makes you FEEL honored  then be that person. Be the reflection you'd like to see in others. Be kind when you'd like to be a bear, find a way to stand up for your country in a way that is productive, turn to God for guidance on your spouse instead of the first person that will "side with you", listen to the tug and get out of your comfort zone. 

Think about what honor means to you and then express it!