“Two Honors” by Dave Bessey

#honor

www.reach413.com

We are in a time of war. During this time we advance the Kingdom of God while training up replacements in the war. I am not talking just about casualties, though this can be true. I am speaking more about honor among the ranks. Up and down. Learning that traditions of honor are different than idolatry. We honor rank because of wisdom of the elders, not just because they are old alone. We honor so then we can learn from them. We also Honor those younger than us, because they are our future and they are capable of greater things than even we could can do. Honor releases us to be victorious while dishonor holds back blessings and rewards that come through honor.

Honor is key for victory. So many times in the history of warfare, wars have been lost because of dishonor.

This is true especially in spiritual warfare, where we fight with weapons which are spiritually formed and not physical weapons like guns and bombs. We need serious adjustment or correction when it comes to honor. Honor is not just obeying orders, it involves more about relationship and intimate love. Respect is earned over time, but love releases honor. Thus this generation has no clue about honor. They open their mouth and slander others without realizing the “seeds” they are sowing are to their own downfall. We are who we honor. Thus the ultimate is honoring God, those who we serve and who serve us and then those who are not able to serve us.

Honor shows who you really worship and who you serve. Honor entails idea of treating others the you want to be treated and reaping what you sow. Thus when we are around our elders we listen and ask questions rather than talking too much. We show we care by learning and growing in maturity. As elders we listen also to learn things about those we serve and we grow in serving then.

Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭32‬-‭37‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“”You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh. “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God. “‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. “‘You shall observe all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them. I am Yahweh.’””

‭

1 Peter 5:1-14 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ...