Honor goes beyond merely obeying your elders or using terms like "sir" and "ma'am." In the Kingdom of God, honor has a deeper meaning. It involves seeing others through God's perspective and living in a way that reflects reverence for God, authority, and even oneself. In today's world, where sarcasm is praised, dishonor is commonplace, and authority is frequently mocked, maintaining a focus on honor requires intentional effort. If you want to cultivate a lifestyle that honors God and others, here are five ways to get started.
In 2025, culture rewards criticism, canceling, and clout-chasing. Honor often feels like a lost virtue. But for believers, it’s more essential than ever. With relationships strained by division and disrespect, the church must lead in humility, reverence, and love. Learning how to focus on honor doesn’t just improve behavior as it reflects God’s heart in a world desperate for dignity.
In a culture that often values fame, money, and power, Scripture reminds us to cherish humility, service, and obedience. Ask God to reshape your understanding of what is truly honorable. When you grasp God’s values, you’ll start to find beauty in what the world tends to overlook. Honor begins with our perspective.
Honor often looks simple, like listening well, holding your tongue, or serving quietly. But it’s powerful. Where do you find it hardest to honor?
Honor is reflected in your words. It’s not only about what you say, but also how you say it. Whether you’re speaking to a leader, a parent, a friend, or even a stranger online, ask yourself: “Am I speaking with kindness and respect?” When we become careless with our words, we diminish our capacity to honor others effectively. Protect your speech, and your heart will align accordingly.
Much of today’s media thrives on mockery, gossip, and outrage. It’s challenging to cultivate a sense of honor when you’re constantly surrounded by dishonor. The Holy Focus app helps to quiet the noise by blocking toxic distractions and guiding you back to prayer, Scripture, and purpose. Experience less scrolling and more sacred stillness. Allow God to reshape your attitude before the world does.
It’s easy to say that we respect someone, but true honor is reflected in how we treat them. Are you present when it truly matters? Are you listening, helping, and forgiving? Honor isn’t just a feeling; it must be expressed through our actions. Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit how you can show tangible honor to someone today.
I used to think honor had to be earned. That I only needed to give it when someone was “worthy.” But God has been teaching me that honor is more about who I am than who they are. It’s about choosing grace, patience, and respect even when it’s hard. That’s one of the reasons I built Holy Focus: to quiet the noise that fuels judgment and help me return to a mindset of Christlike reverence.
This is the most challenging aspect. However, biblical honor is not solely about the individual; it’s about your attitude. 1 Peter 2:17 states, “Show proper respect to everyone.” You may not agree with someone or even like them, but honoring a person doesn’t require you to approve of everything they do. It means choosing grace instead of contempt.
Honor is a quiet strength. It doesn’t need to shout to be recognized. It is shown through the extra kindness we offer without being asked and the willingness to see others as God sees them, even when it’s challenging. When we prioritize honor, we embody the spirit of Christ: gentle, respectful, and full of truth. We live more lightly because we are not burdened by contempt. We love more deeply because we have learned to overlook flaws. And we grow stronger because we stand firm on values that remain constant, even as culture shifts.
These simple habits helped Jesus stay grounded, focused, and close to God and they will transform your daily life.