Choosing Honor in a Cancel Culture: Biblical Principles and Blessings

Devotional

Day 1: Honor Is a Choice That Counters Cancel Culture

Honor is a deliberate decision to value others as God does, even in a world quick to judge, criticize, and cancel. When you choose to honor, you resist the prevailing culture of offense and division, instead building up those around you and reflecting God’s heart. This means going beyond your comfort zone to esteem people, even when it feels easier to write them off or hold onto petty disagreements. Honor is not about agreeing with everyone or ignoring wrongs, but about seeing the God-given worth in each person and treating them accordingly. [01:28]

Romans 12:10 (ESV)
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Who is one person you’ve been tempted to “cancel” or avoid because of offense or disagreement? What is one practical way you can intentionally show them honor this week?

Day 2: Dishonor Limits God’s Work

Treating others as common or ordinary—dishonoring them—assumes the worst and can actually limit what God wants to do in their lives and yours. When Jesus returned to His hometown, the people’s lack of honor and familiarity prevented them from receiving the miracles and blessings He could have brought. The same is true today: when we fail to honor, we close ourselves off from the fullness of God’s work. Instead, choose to see others through God’s eyes, believing the best and making space for His power to move. [07:13]

Mark 6:4-5 (ESV)
"And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you’ve started to take for granted or treat as “just” ordinary? How might your attitude be limiting what God wants to do in and through them?

Day 3: Honor God, Parents, and Those in Authority

Scripture calls us to honor God with our resources, to honor our parents throughout our lives, and to honor those in authority—even when we disagree. Honoring God means giving Him the first and best of what we have, not just leftovers. Honoring parents is a lifelong command, not just for children, and brings blessing. Honoring leaders and those in authority, regardless of our personal opinions, reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty and order. These acts of honor are not always easy, but they are foundational to a life that pleases God. [10:52]

Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;"

Exodus 20:12 (ESV)
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Romans 13:7 (ESV)
"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."

Reflection: In which of these areas—honoring God, your parents, or those in authority—do you sense God inviting you to grow? What is one step you can take today to honor in that area?

Day 4: Honor Is Given, Not Earned

Honor is not something people must earn from us; it is a gift we freely give because we see God’s image in them. When we honor others, we reflect God’s character and sow seeds that He promises to water. Even when it feels undeserved, choosing to honor is an act of faith that God will use to build up others and ourselves. Refuse to let the enemy convince you that someone is unworthy of honor—give it freely, knowing you are planting for a harvest you don’t want to miss. [12:32]

1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
"Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to honor because you feel they don’t deserve it. What would it look like to honor them as a reflection of God’s character, regardless of their actions?

Day 5: Don’t Grow Weary—Honor Brings a Harvest

Every act of honor is a seed planted, and though the results may not be immediate, God promises a harvest in due season if we do not give up. It’s easy to become weary or discouraged when you don’t see change right away, but perseverance in honoring others—writing that note, speaking that blessing, refusing to gossip—will yield God’s reward in His perfect timing. Keep sowing honor, trusting that God sees every act and will bring about the breakthrough, restoration, or blessing you need. [17:52]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: Where have you been tempted to give up on honoring someone or doing good because you haven’t seen results? What is one “seed of honor” you can plant today, trusting God for the harvest?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the transformative power of honor in a world that is quick to judge, criticize, and cancel. Honor is not just a feeling or a reaction—it is a deliberate choice to value others as God values them. In a culture where offense is easily taken and relationships are often fractured over minor disagreements, choosing honor stands as a radical, countercultural act. We began with a simple game, cheering for one another, to illustrate how intentional encouragement and affirmation can uplift and unite. This is a small picture of what it means to honor others in our daily lives.

Honor, at its core, means to esteem, cherish, and treat others as precious. It is not about treating people as ordinary or common, but about believing the best and building up those around us. Dishonor, on the other hand, is not always overt disrespect; often, it is simply failing to honor, treating people as unremarkable, and assuming the worst. This mindset limits what God can do in our lives and in the lives of those around us, as seen in Jesus’ own experience in his hometown, where a lack of honor hindered miracles.

Scripture calls us to honor God with our resources, to honor our parents throughout our lives, to honor those in authority regardless of our personal opinions, and to honor spiritual leaders. Honor is not something that is earned; it is something we freely give, reflecting God’s character both in us and toward others. When we choose to honor, we sow seeds that God himself will water, leading to blessing and restoration in due season.

The challenge is to declare a spirit of honor over every area of our lives—our homes, workplaces, relationships, and even our thoughts. This week, let’s be intentional: write a note, speak a blessing, refuse to gossip, and boldly reject the lie that someone must deserve honor before we give it. In doing so, we plant seeds for a harvest that God promises will come, if we do not give up.

Key Takeaways

1. Honor is a deliberate choice that counters the prevailing culture of offense and cancellation. By choosing to value others as God does, we resist the urge to judge or dismiss, and instead become agents of encouragement and unity in our communities. This act of honoring is a spiritual discipline that shapes both our hearts and the environment around us. [01:28]
2. Dishonor is not always loud or aggressive; often, it is the quiet act of treating others as ordinary or unremarkable. When we fail to honor, we limit God’s work in our lives and in the lives of others, just as Jesus was limited in his hometown by their lack of honor and belief. Recognizing the subtlety of dishonor calls us to be vigilant in how we view and treat those around us. [06:29]
3. Scripture commands us to honor God with our resources, our parents throughout our lives, those in authority, and our spiritual leaders. This is not conditional on their perfection or our agreement with them, but is a reflection of God’s order and our trust in His wisdom. Honoring these relationships opens the door to God’s blessing and favor in our lives. [08:44]
4. Honor is not earned; it is freely given. When we honor others, we reflect God’s character and sow seeds that will bear fruit in due season. Even when it feels undeserved or unnoticed, every act of honor is a seed that God promises to water, leading to restoration, breakthrough, and blessing at the right time. [12:32]
5. The practice of honor requires perseverance, especially when we are weary or tempted to give up. The enemy will whisper that others do not deserve our honor, but we must answer boldly, remembering that we are planting for a harvest we do not want to miss. Refusing to give up on honoring others ensures that we remain aligned with God’s promise of reward in due season. [17:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Cheering Each Other On: A Picture of Honor
[01:28] - The Reality of Cancel Culture
[03:00] - Personal Stories of Boycotts and Canceling
[04:30] - Cancel Culture in Relationships and Families
[05:03] - What Honor Really Means
[06:29] - The Subtlety of Dishonor
[07:13] - Jesus and the Cost of Familiarity
[08:44] - Honoring God with Our Resources
[09:29] - Honoring Parents at Every Age
[10:52] - Honoring Authority and Spiritual Leaders
[12:32] - Why Honor Matters: Reflecting God’s Character
[13:55] - Practicing Intentional Honor
[15:27] - Sowing Seeds of Honor and Waiting for the Harvest
[17:52] - Persevering in Honor and God’s Promise
[18:41] - Boldly Rejecting the Lie: Honor is Freely Given
[19:27] - Prayer and Charge to Plant Seeds of Honor

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Transformative Power of Honor

Bible Reading

Romans 12:10 (ESV)

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Mark 6:4-5 (ESV)

"And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them."

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Observation Questions

In Mark 6:4-5, what was the result of the people’s lack of honor toward Jesus in his hometown?
According to Romans 12:10, how are we supposed to treat one another?
In Galatians 6:9, what promise is given to those who keep doing good and don’t give up?
The sermon described dishonor as not always being loud or aggressive. What are some subtle ways dishonor can show up in our relationships? [[06:29]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus was limited in what he could do in his hometown because of their lack of honor and belief? What does this say about the power of honor and dishonor? [[06:29]]
The sermon said that honor is not earned but freely given. Why might it be difficult to honor someone who hasn’t “earned” it in our eyes? [[12:32]]
How does choosing to honor others, even when it’s hard, reflect God’s character to the people around us? [[12:32]]
The sermon mentioned that when we get tired or discouraged, we might stop “planting seeds” of honor. What are some reasons people give up on honoring others, and what might be the consequences? [[17:52]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to declare a spirit of honor over every area of our lives—home, work, relationships, and even our thoughts. Which area is the hardest for you to practice honor in, and why? [[17:52]]
Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to “cancel” or write someone off because of a disagreement or offense. How could you have responded with honor instead? [[04:30]]
The pastor encouraged us to do something intentional this week—write a note, speak a blessing, refuse to gossip, or encourage someone. Which of these will you commit to, and who will you do it for? [[13:55]]
When the enemy whispers that someone doesn’t deserve your honor, how can you boldly reject that lie and choose to honor anyway? What would that look like in a real-life situation? [[18:41]]
The sermon said that every act of honor is a seed that God promises to water, leading to blessing and restoration. Can you share a time when honoring someone led to a positive change in your relationship or situation? [[15:27]]
The Bible commands us to honor our parents, those in authority, and spiritual leaders. Is there someone in one of these groups you find it hard to honor? What is one step you can take this week to show them honor, even if you disagree with them? [[10:52]]
The pastor said, “Don’t give up—keep honoring, keep esteeming, keep outdoing one another.” What is one practical way you can persevere in honoring others, especially when you feel weary or unappreciated? [[17:52]]

Closing Prayer:
Pray Galatians 6:9 over your group, asking God to help each person not grow weary in doing good and to trust Him for a harvest of blessing as they choose to honor others this week.

Sermon Clips

32s

#TransformationNotLabels

“Has that happened to you? Maybe you got saved, you radically transformed inside and you changed, and you showed up at the family reunion and you're on fire for God and you love everything about your family, you love everything about life, you love everything that God's doing, and then people are saying, "Well, that's just Ronnie, that's just Billy, that's just Suzy." They remember Suzy and Billy and Ronnie when we did things that we were embarrassed about.”