There’s something about men and competition. Put two guys in a room, and before long, it turns into a contest — who can eat the hottest chili, throw the ball farther, or finish the BBQ faster. Around the world, you’ll find some of the most ridiculous contests men have invented:
- Cheese rolling down a steep hill in England (with plenty of broken bones to prove it).
- Power slapping competitions, where men take turns slapping each other until only one remains standing.
- The famous running of the bulls in Spain, where men race through narrow streets while half-ton bulls chase them down.
You’ll notice — it’s always the guys! There’s something in us that loves to outdo one another. And here’s the thing: that competitive drive isn’t wrong. God hardwired us with the desire to excel and to strive. But the question is: what if we channelled that drive into something eternal?
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:10:
“Outdo one another in showing honour.”
Imagine if the greatest competition of our lives wasn’t about trophies or titles — but about who could honour the most, bless first, serve first, encourage first.
What is Honour?
Many people confuse honour with respect. But here’s the difference:
- Respect is earned — based on performance, behaviour, or achievements.
- Honour is given — it’s a choice to recognise the value God has placed on someone, even when they’re not perfect.
Honour is the ability to say: “I see God’s worth in you, and I treat you accordingly.”
That’s why Paul didn’t say, “Outdo one another in showing respect.” He knew honour goes deeper.
Honour in God’s Kingdom
If you look at the Ten Commandments, honour is at the very core.
- The first four are about honouring God — no idols, honour His name, honour His day.
- The last six are about honouring others — parents, life, marriage, property, truth, boundaries.
The undercurrent of the Kingdom of God is honour. When you live it, it changes everything.
One commandment even comes with a promise:
“Honour your father and mother… that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:2–3)
Honouring your parents doesn’t just bless them — it blesses you. It leads to peace, wholeness, and generational flourishing.
The Danger of Dishonour
But dishonour carries consequences. In Mark 6, Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth after performing miracles in Capernaum. At first, the people were astonished at His teaching. But then familiarity crept in:
“Isn’t this the carpenter? Mary’s son?”
They reduced Him to the ordinary — and Scripture says: “They took offense at Him… and He could not do mighty works there.”
Not would not — but could not. Their dishonour closed the door on God’s power.
Dishonour doesn’t make God weak; it makes us closed.
And dishonour works like a spiral in families: it starts small with familiarity, grows into entitlement and taking each other for granted, and ends in criticism, contempt, and broken trust.
The Spiral of Honour
The good news? The opposite is true too.
When you sow honour:
- Honour creates gratitude.
- Gratitude fuels love.
- Love builds trust.
- Trust multiplies peace.
And peace in the home is priceless.
The Honour Compass
Think of honour like a compass — it points in every direction:
- Honour Up → God and leaders.
- Honour Forward → spouses, friends, colleagues.
- Honour Down → children and those you mentor.
- Honour Back → parents, mentors, and those who came before you.
Wherever honour is shown, God’s blessing flows.
A Call to Action
Strong homes aren’t built by chance — they’re built by choice. And one of the greatest choices you can make is to live a life of honour.
- Honour God.
- Honour your spouse.
- Honour your parents.
- Honour your children.
- Honour those around you.
Because strong homes are made when honour is displayed. Families thrive where honour is alive.
Want to go deeper? Join us at Resurrection Life as we continue our “Stronger” series — and discover God’s blueprint for building homes filled with honour, encouragement, and blessing.