The Roots of Dishonor (1 Pet. 2:17a)

To get the most out of this post, read these verses that speak about honor: Rom. 12:10; 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Cor. 12:23-24; Mt. 13:57; 15:4; 1 Tim 5:3, 17.


In 1 Peter 2:17 we are told to "Honor all men."  The problem is that we live in such a culture of dishonor.  Phrases such as "my old man" or "that witch" don't reflect well on us.  We never want that culture of dishonor creeping into the church!  Where does such dishonor come from?  Here are eight roots of dishonor.

• Ignorance.  Maybe you grew up in an environment where you didn't experience honor. Perhaps you never saw it displayed.  It could be challenging to give honor when you don't know what it looks like.    
• Tradition.  "We don't like to single anyone out.  That's just not how we've done things here."  Then your culture is wrong!  (I wouldn't be surprised to hear that your life or organization is laden with conflict, instability or discontent.)
• Emotion.  You don't feel like doing what you know you should do.  What about the command to honor?  Commands are to be obeyed, not felt.  Emotions can distort truth and delay responsibility.
• Hurt / Offence.  A hurt or offended person can't sincerely honor.  He can pretend, so that he doesn't stand out while everyone else rejoices, but he continues internally to cultivate his hurt, offence or disappointment.  Unless the offence is removed, honoring the offender is unlikely.
• Envy / Jealousy.  This person says, "I don't get such an honor or privilege, so why should you?"  Please stop being so selfish!
• Spite / Anger.  "There's no way I'm letting this happen."  A stick-in-the-mud won 't delight in anyone's being special.  Unless he releases his anger, an angry person can only participate insincerely.  Right words are spoken from a wrong heart -- verbal darts thrown violently into the honoree's back.  Being right should be more important than being reconciled.
• Rebellion.  The rebel knows the biblical command to honor.  He just won't do anything about it.  No way, no how.  The rebel needs to be reminded of 1 Sam. 15:22-23.
• Trying to play God.  This is the person who waits until he thinks the potential honoree is considered worthy enough of honor.  You can honor the position or title even if you won't honor the individual.  Were the President of the United States to visit your house, you would address him as "Mr. President" even if everyone knew you disagreed with some of his policies.  Do your spiritual authorities get the same courtesy? 

Honor is about submission and obedience and manifests a teachable, compliant spirit.  Honor is about recognizing and responding to authority.  It is inconsistent to believe you can honor God and not honor His appointed authorities.  Don't confuse honor with agreement.  You can rightly honor someone while sincerely disagreeing.