Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 12, 2012
“Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10b
To honor is to give preference to another. It is the act of extending to another the first opportunity. Giving preference is more than good manners; it gives preference of another person’s needs over your personal needs. For example, deferring to another’s choice for a meeting time and location or allowing a person to go ahead in line shows respect and courtesy. Honor is incubated in a heart of humility. It is the art of serving someone else, even at personal expense.
We can disrespect the process, but still honor the person. We may have been left out of the decision-making loop at work, but we can still honor those who made decisions that disturbed our work. How do we honor them? Honor does not gossip or make disparaging remarks about those who brought us despair. Honor thinks the best and does not assume the worse. Honor values the relationship over being right. It looks for potential in others.
How else can you honor those in your circle of influence? One wise habit of humility is to ask a friend for advice and then act on their advice. A spouse or colleague feels valued when their suggestion makes a positive impact on your life. When you truly listen to another’s opinion you give oxygen to their esteem and you give respect to the relationship. Honor accepts a person where they are and looks to discern their heart.
Therefore, give others the honor of knowing what you really think and feel. Your authenticity is a gift of honor given to those who want to know you in an intimate way. Dishonor is shallow and sentimental, while honor is deep and substantial. Furthermore, make sure to give honor to the people, places and things that those you love honor. A loved one’s objects of honor, become your objects of honor, as you grow to know them.
Put off the fear of embarrassment and put on trust in God. He shows honor to those who extend honor. The Lord Jesus Christ is the most honorable example. His standards for honor are the good housekeeping seal of heaven. Thus, honor the Lord in all you do and say. His ways reap respect and the right results. It is the greatest honor to serve God and people above yourself. Invite others to the seat of honor—Jesus will find you a seat with Him!
“But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:10-11
Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me opportunities to honor others above myself.
Related Scriptures: Proverbs 22:4; John 12:2, 26; Acts 13:48; 1 Corinthians 12:23-26
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