How to Honor God: A Spiritual Force That Releases Blessing
How do you honor God? You sow honor into others and honor Him with your talents, time, actions, and resources. Honor is a mark of a true Believer (Romans 12:9-21).
Words associated with honor include respect, reverence, esteem, devotion, and admiration. When describing an honorable person, we think of integrity, righteousness, character, and uprightness. These descriptions go beyond attitude—they are a way of living that shows up in how we speak, how we serve, and how we treat people when no one is watching.
Biblical honor is alignment with God that results in action and is demonstrated through obedience. It is agreement with God expressed through priorities, choices, and character.
God describes misaligned, lip-service honor:
- “These people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me.” —Isaiah 29:13
True honor flows from the heart—and is revealed by how we live.
Honor as a Spiritual Force
Honor is a spiritual force that releases blessings in your life. Scripture consistently connects honor with tangible results:
- “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” —Deuteronomy 5:16
- “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”—Proverbs 3:9–10
- “For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” —Samuel 2:30
From these passages, you see that honor is not only a command close to the Father’s heart but also a key that unlocks blessing.
Honor releases:
- Long life
- A prosperous inheritance
- Full barns — provision
- Overflowing vats — joy and spiritual fullness
- Honor itself — honor sown and honor returned
Honor works like a seed. When you sow it, God causes it to return.
Sowing Honor: The Mark of a True Believer
Romans 12:9–21 is known for listing the marks of a true Believer. Verses 9 and 10 in the English Standard Version read:
- “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.”
Outdo one another in showing honor: Honor is not passive. It is something we intentionally demonstrate, practice, and give.
This is how to honor others. This is how to honor God.
- Put others before yourself.
- Take the role of a servant in relationships.
- Invest time and attention into others.
- Choose compassion over ego.
- Refuse to be driven by pride or self-promotion.
When you sow honor, you fulfill the mission of Romans 12:21—to overcome evil with good. And when honor is sown consistently, blessing follows.
Honor God’s Word: Fall in Love with God’s Instruction
We need desperately to fall in love with God’s instruction—His Word—and not lose sight of our first love.
Too often, the Church has embraced faith and grace in a way that neglects obedience to instruction. But grace was never given to replace God’s Word—it empowers us to walk in it.
If you honor the instruction of the Lord, He will honor you and lift you above the circumstances of the earth.
Joshua 1:8 gives us the pattern:
- “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Do you notice the order?
- Meditate on the Word.
- Observe to do it.
- Then prosperity and success follow.
You must have the Word in you before you proclaim it. When you meditate on it—allowing it to soak into your body, soul, and spirit—and then speak it in faith, it carries supernatural power.
- Meditation before proclamation is honor.
- Believing before declaring is honor.
- Living before preaching is honor.
When you meditate on the Word before you proclaim it, you are honoring it.
Honoring the Son Is Honoring the Word
Jesus said:
- “…that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” —John 5:23 (emphasis added)
Scripture tells us:
- “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” —John 1:14
If the Son is the Word made flesh, then honoring the Son means honoring the Word.
And the Word abides in us.
- “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” —Colossians 1:27 (emphasis added)
When we honor the Word and walk it out—in health, provision, love, forgiveness, and the fruit of the Spirit—we begin to walk in the fullness of His power. Remember the promise of 1 John 4:4, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Honor Begins in the Home and Extends to Heaven
God designed the family as the first place where honor is learned. This is why honoring parents carries such weight, even when it is difficult. Scripture does not say to honor parents if they were perfect. Honoring parents is not agreement with dysfunction—it is agreement with God’s order.
When honor is broken, alignment is broken. And when alignment is broken, blessing is hindered.
- “Today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people… and that He will set you high above all nations… in praise, in name, and in honor.”—Deuteronomy 26:18-19
We cannot walk as a holy people if we do not walk in honor.
Honor Is Part of God’s Nature
Honor does not originate with us—it originates with God.
- “Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” —Revelation 19:1
- “O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty.” —Psalm 104:1
- “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.” —Revelation 4:11
Honor belongs to the Lord because it flows from who He is. And just as earthly fathers, leaders, and authorities are honored, how much more does our Heavenly Father deserve honor—not only through words, but through obedience, excellence, and surrender.
Honor Requires Our Best, Not Our Leftovers
In Malachi, God confronts His people for giving Him what they would never offer an earthly ruler:
- “If I am the Father, where is My honor?”—Malachi 1:6–8
Honor brings God our first and our best, not what is convenient, rushed, or leftover. This includes our time, resources, attention, and obedience.
When honor is present, increase follows.
Honor Shapes Words, Provision, and Spiritual Authority
As Believers, we are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Our lives respond to our thoughts and our words.
- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” —Proverbs 18:21
- “…For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”—Luke 6:45
Dishonor—through gossip, jealousy, bitterness, or resentment—cuts off provision. When we resent the success of others, we dishonor the God who provides for all.
Honor is the currency of Heaven. So then, when we celebrate others, build them up, and rejoice in their blessing, we align ourselves with Heaven’s supply.
- “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
How to Honor God in Everyday Life
Honoring God does not always require grand gestures. Often, it is revealed through priority.
We honor the Lord when we:
- Spend quality time with Him
- Praise and worship Him
- Listen for His voice
- Read and meditate on His Word
- Give from what He has provided
- Partake of Communion
- Yield control to Him
- Thank Him continually
- Do our best with excellence
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33
God is honored when He is first. And unlocking Kingdom destinies begins with living a life of honor. When we position Him as ruler in our hearts, honor will naturally flow from us into others.
As you read and meditate on His Word, may you learn to speak it with conviction and live it with integrity. May you walk in power, provision, and purpose—truly unlocking the spiritual blessings of honor.