The Spirit of Honor

"What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet," Psalm 8:4-6.


   During the past few weeks we have been examining the subject of honor. Honor is defined as reputation, recognition, esteem or notoriety. It is determining the proper degree of respect, reverence, and recognition based upon title, position, rank, gifting and anointing. All honor and levels of honor originate from God. There are at least these distinct levels of honor: God, the prophet, spiritual fathers (and mothers), parents, elders, government, and personal honor. It is one of the most important issues of humanity. When honor is embraced and displayed it will lead to blessing and produce proper relations among human beings on all levels i.e. friends, marriages, children to parents, employers to employees, etc. We are commanded to give honor to whom honor is due. To some degree honor should be given to every human being because every person is a life that has been given by God. Our challenge to do this is based upon the manner in which we live and conduct ourselves. When we fail to display personal honor and to present ourselves in an honorable fashion, it leads to dishonor.
    The above verses of Scripture were penned by king David. They are from Psalm 8 in recognition of God's majesty and man's dignity. This dignity spoken of by David has its foundation in the creation of man. We are created in the image and likeness of God. Man is the only creative act which has this privilege. We are distinct and as David says, we are made a little lower than God (Elohim). God is sovereign, righteous, judge and Lord over all. These are His crown and scepter of His rulership. A crown is representative of authority and consecration. Now God is ultimate authority and man is His delegated authority. After God created the world, He put man in charge, "let them have dominion." As for man, the crown of his authority is represented by glory and honor, "you crown him with glory and honor." Since we are created in His image and likeness, we also have glory and honor. These exists with God and have been given to us as the signature of our dominion. Glory and honor must be the foundation of our dominion. We must operate in a fashion that is representative of these. If not our dominion will be like the beast of the field (Psalm 49:20). This is the essence of man in his fallen nature. Consider the world in which we live. It is full of crime, injustice, and every sort of human devise. Where there is the absence of honor, dishonor is inevitable. I am convinced that dishonor is the result of our fallen nature. The fallen nature of man is selfish, self-centered, and has no real understanding of God's purpose in creation. We can do a lot of "good deeds" but still fall far short of God's intent. During his sermon on the mount Jesus reveals that not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. He goes on to say that many will speak of their "good deeds," we did this in your name and that in your name even to the point of performing miracles in his name. The shocking news is the words of Christ that follow their came, "Depart from me you who practice lawlessness." 
     Now if we are lawless, we cannot operate in honor. The two don't go together. They are like oil and water. Biblical honor is the result of the redeemed spirit of man. It is the product of a life that has been born again. Once we have received Christ as our savior and lord, we will regain our crown of glory and honor. As previously stated the crown is the insignia of our dominion. It is through Christ that we regain the respect, dignity, and recognition that has been granted to us from God. The forces of darkness and evil work and scheme to keep us ignorant of the truth. Truth is powerful enough to secure every freedom given to us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. So as we gain insight into the spirit of honor let us execute it on all levels and we will reap its reward.