Listening to the Holy Spirit:
It flows as water and nourishes all those in which it contacts. Insult burns the roots of relationship. Honor grows it deeper, that storms on the surface do not uproot. Age is an indicator. An elder is to be respected, and a youth corrected with gentle strength. The structure of respect, given and received, builds a house strong against winds of adversity. As a youth – it is to be handed upward, as a king – with love downward, as a comrade – with equal portion that you would request. Honor lifts those around you, and breeds respect in all directions. Hold the tongue of harshness, even in correction, always lift. Even to those not of My house, honor, for one day they may enter by the words you speak. He who gives honor, gains the same.
1 Tim 5:1-2 (ESV) – Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
Rom 12:10 (ESV) – Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Eph 4:29 (ESV) – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Taking It to Work:
Work cultures vary, but often they can be riddled with arrogance, disrespect and harsh attitudes. It is commonplace for younger employees to openly complain and insult the ways of their older leaders or team members. At the same time, older generations can be harsh and impatient with the less experienced.
Respect and honor are not high priorities to the world, but they should be for Christ-followers. We should be known for our ability to lift others, to build them up, to give them honor when it honor is due, and if we are focused, we will see when it is due.
A coworker that always holds his good attitude in a trial, a boss that continues to be a good boss, even under constant pressure, or that ordinary employee in your charge that deserves a pat on the back for his ongoing dedication or reliability. Once you open your eyes to opportunities to honor to those around you, they are endless. And remember, this is not praise for what they did, this is to honor who they are, and usually that involves some bragging about that person to other people, sometimes when they are not around.
Think back to how affirmative words spoken about you affected your heart; how great you felt when it was made known you were trusted, or you found out your efforts were recognized up the line and applauded. Occasions of being honored are some of the most memorable and life-giving times in our lives.
Let’s be fountains of that life-giving genuine honor. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give you eyes to see those opportunities to honestly honor those in which you work and live. It is surprisingly easy, as His Word works through you, today.
