How Should You Honor God?
Did you know there are seven unique ways to honor God and that they are all found in His Word? Have you ever wondered why we are called to walk in honor? Could there be blessings in store for us when we choose honor? Join us below as we answer these and other questions… taking you not only through “Seven Ways to Honor God,” but also giving many reasons why honor is such a benefit to Believers!
Seven Ways to Honor God:
1. Honor God with time…
Time is our most precious resource. Each of us is given a certain measure of time on earth—a finite time. Yet, a time which is affected by our lifestyle—for good or for bad… or altered through prayer, words, and deeds. Therefore, what we do with the time we are given is of special importance, for our time is tied to what we value in our hearts…
Yes, most of us must spend our time working a certain number of hours or completing a certain number of tasks to make a living… to pay our bills… But what about our relationship with that money coming in, or with whatever free time we may have left over?
What we do with our finances—a result of time—or with time itself shows us and others what we value!
When we honor God with our time and finances—giving freely of both in accordance to His Word—we are not only honoring God, we are blessed with a greater understanding of Him, bringing increase to both!
With every act of honoring God—with our time or the results of it—we become more like Him and are therefore able to walk in authority, fullness, and relationship with and through Him. We are blessed!
“Time cannot be replaced.”—Curt Landry
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.”—Proverbs 3:9
“Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders.”—Psalm 107:32
2. Honor God with obedience…
When we walk in obedience, we reap the reward of it. Yet, it is only through walking in obedience with God that we can find the truest reward.
Sowing obedience grants us Godly favor. It is a necessity for any relationship with God, for without obedience there is disobedience, which is a lack of Godly love, faith and trust. When we are disobedient or delay our obedience, we are essentially telling God that we know better; that we—mere flesh and blood beings—have a deeper understanding of events and our very salvation that renders His naught.
Obedience is a display of trust; particularly when we do not understand or agree with Him, because it demonstrates an application of faith, of love and trust in His truth and ability to know all things.
By walking in obedience, we honor God with the truth of His perfection.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”—Galatians 6:7-8
3. Honor God with words…
Words can bring about life, or they can bring death. Words that are from God—in agreement with His Word and giving honor to Him—are life-giving. When we honor God with our words, we therefore are instantly and eternally blessed; because every word we speak is kept on record, and only the Blood can wash any words not of God from it.
By speaking life we honor God, receive greater health and prosperity, and bless others. In fact, it is by our very words our hearts can be known… and when we speak life, we not only display God’s life resting within our hearts but reveal to the world the light of God!
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”—Proverbs 16:23
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”—Proverbs 18:21
“… For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.”—Luke 6:45 (TPT)
4. Honor God with people…
God gave His only Son for all. Yes, some chose and still choose to ignore Him and that gift. Yet, God still loves and cares for everyone. Every single person is made in the image of God, and therefore, when we dishonor others in our words, thoughts, and actions, we are dishonoring the image of God.
Yet, by honoring those around us—not agreeing with sin, but treating all as God would—we honor God, and when we honor God, we are like Him. We bring Heaven to earth through it. We open doors of blessing for ourselves and others! Further, many times this honor even softens hearts, so that those made in the image of God might turn to Him.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16
5. Honor God with faith…
“And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.”—Hebrews 11:6 (TPT)
Since we cannot please God without moving in faith, let alone know that He is real… then surely honoring God with our faith is of paramount importance!
By honoring God with faith, we not only please God and ensure that we recognize He is real… we find blessing!
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move any mountain. When we are honoring God with that faith, we do nothing unless our Father says. We love God enough to trust Him—to have faith—in His goodness, faithfulness, and truth!
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”—Galatians 5:6
6. Honor God with hope…
To be hopeless is to lose faith in God, and without faith—faith working through love—it is impossible to please God. Yet, when we honor God with our hope, we are demonstrating a return to faith. We are showing God that we do not have to see to hope—such as, with our hope of eternal life with Him. We are able to bring life to ourselves and others, hoping in God because He is faithful and therefore, receiving the blessing of hope without disappointment!
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”—Romans 5:5
7. Honor God with love…
Love is the highest commandment. When we honor God with our love, we are displaying a respect for His commandments, but also, we are opening our hearts to Him. “God is love…” this is a biblical principle told to us in 1 John 4:8.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”—1 John 4:8
To walk in love, to honor God with it, restores our heart, soul, and all we are. It allows us to walk like our Father, who is the epitome of love, and therefore, it creates relationship. It brings blessings from prosperity, hope and joy to fullness and authority in Him. It is the linchpin of all faith!
Conclusion:
Without honor many blessings of God are blocked. In fact, one of the ten commandments reminds us to honor our father and mother so that we might know long life in the land the Lord gives us (see Exodus 20:12). This is not just so we honor our parents, but so we understand that honor is important to God, and that walking in it brings Godly blessing!
Further, honor is key to walking with God and in all He has for us. It breaks chains, it accelerates us into our call, and it demonstrates to the world that we who believe in God ARE different… it provides the world a glimpse of God.
“Honor is an accelerator; it causes things to grow.”—Curt Landry
So, let us walk honoring God and honoring His people with time, resources, love, obedience, words, and hope—from the oldest to the youngest, the poor and the rich, those who have suffered much, and those who have had great blessings. Let us demonstrate God’s light through honor!
“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”—Revelation 4:11