Honor in a strong character value in historical fencing. Before there were judges and or electrical equipment fencers would have to call their opponent’s touches, The fencer that received the touch would call out “touché” /to͞oˈSHā/ (french past tense of touch). If you were not honorable and would not acknowledge the touches, you would soon not have an opponent to spar with. This might be ok if you were just looking at fencing as a sport but it was a way of life.

Judicial duels use to be a method of settling a disagreement, mostly duels were to “first blood” and rarely “to death”. So if you did not have a sparring partner to learn or advance your needed skill set you might not be vindicated in a disagreement or worst lose your life.

You will honor what you value, and what you value is what you will invest in. The bible says this way “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21. Treasure is not just financial wealth but includes family, relationship, profession, etc.

I have invested in many people and organization because I believe in their mission and vision. My heart is in what they are doing, I honor them. Honor should be granted on the basis of character and not just on position, status, or wealth. Honoring is granting a person/organization a position of respect and even authority in your life.

We can honor a position like the President of the United States, the President of a company or the pastor of a church. Honor is not 100% agree with everything they say, but we can and should respect (honor) the position. I believe that the media has done our nation an injustice by disrespecting the office of the president. I’m not sure which media sources or when it all started but they began referring to the Presidents as “Obama” or “Trump” and not President Obama or President Trump. They began to disrespect and attack the person and not their policies. If we disagree with a policy we should speak against that policy, not attach the person.

Not every area of our society lacks honor, you can see honor being given in our country’s court system every day, even if they don’t agree with what was is being stated. I know that the system has flaws but within a courtroom, everyone addresses the judge as “Your Honor”. Both the prosecution and defensive teams show honor.

No one desires to be disrespected, we all want to be honored. Google defines honor as “high respect; great esteem.” God has created us in His own image and He too wants respect.

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, … the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”

Isaiah 29:13-14 ESV

Honor involves respect and reverence, it is demonstrated by appropriate attention or even obedience.

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 6:2-3 ESV

As believers we need to honor everyone not just God and our Parents, we have to honor our friends, family, co-workers, associates, etcetera. There are many accounts of people in scriptures where they show honor to another person. Apostle Paul encouraged all of us to show honor.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:9-10 ESV

Application

HOW DO WE HONOR?
The execution of honor may vary from person to person. To give honor to God and people, you use your time, your talents, and your finances, but with all of these, they need to be done with a whole heart. When you give of these personal resources you are investing in others, you are honoring God and the people.

• Obeying your parent’s, teacher’s or boss’s instruction is a form of honor.
• Spending time doing something with another person, that you might not enjoy, is showing honor
• Volitreeing your skills to help advance an organization or business is honoring, they may even pay you.
• Not speaking or acting out against people is a form of honor