Today's word is one whose definition has been largely undermined in the last few decades.
Does anyone honor their parents these days? Do they even know what the word means?
Does anyone honor their parents these days? Do they even know what the word means?
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| U.S. Navy Medal of Honor |
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
noun 1. the esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation 3. dignity; exalted rank or place; distinction 4. Reverence; veneration; or any act by which reverence and submission are expressed, as worship paid to the Supreme Being. 5. Reputation; good name 6. True nobleness of mind; magnanimity; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle or moral rectitude; a distinguishing trait in the character of good men. 8. Any particular virtue much valued; as bravery in men, and chastity in females.
verb 1. To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to. 2. To reverence; to manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to worship; to adore. 3. To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt. Men are sometimes honored with titles and offices, which they do not merit. 4. To glorify; to render illustrious. 5. To treat with due civility and respect in the ordinary intercourse of life. The troops honored the governor with a salute.
Elisabeth Elliot states in her book, Discipline: The Glad Surrender, that...
"Honor means 'respect, high regard, recognition of worth.' A Christian sees all men as made in the image of God. All are sinners too, which means that the image is marred, but it is a divine image nonetheless, capable of redemption and therefore to be held in honor." (pgs 77)
"Honor is given. It is not taken." (pgs 79)
"Christianity teaches righteousness, not rights. It emphasizes honor, not equality. A Christian's concern is what is owed to the other, not what is owed to himself." (pgs 81)
"The submissiveness of a wife to her husband is the appropriate form of honor that she pays hims. She offers it just as she would offer it to Christ." (pgs 84)
Scripture tells us to "honor the Lord" with our wealth (Pro. 3:9). Wisdom is said to hold honor and riches in her left hand (Pro. 3:16). Proverbs 3:35 says, "The wise will inherit honor, but the fools get disgrace."
I could go on and on. =]
"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."
(John 12:26)
"Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor."
(Romans 12:10)
Another great choice - honor. It's a wonderful word, especially when one can use it it describe you...I want to be honorable! :) Thanks for this fabulous post, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteTane ♥
P.S. In South Africa, where I live, we spell it honour; my Mom told me that americans spell it 'honor'. Funny how we spell diferently, hey? (You are american, right?)
Marvelous! That is the Old English spelling, with the "ou". We have discovered our language has, for lack of better word, evolved over time, becoming simpler and simpler. Is English your primary language where you live?
ReplyDeleteYes, I am American. =] A Tennessean, to be exact. I live in the rolling, green hills of Tennessee; and like to think of myself as a Southern Belle. ^__^
Thanks for commenting!