During the month of September, we will be focusing on three specific character traits. We have
chosen these three because they allow us to focus on how we should be treating each other,
especially as the new school year starts. These traits are:
Respecting others because of their worth as human beings, and their worth to God.
The opposite of honor is disrespect.
Limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me. The
opposite of deference is rudeness.
Putting the needs of others ahead of your own. The opposite of service is selfishness.
I would encourage each of you to devise a plan to discuss and emphasize these character
qualities with your students as well. How can we show honor, deference, and service to our
siblings and parents?
In Latin, the verb honoro meant "to respect; to decorate; to ornament." Decorating a hero with
some sort of medallion was a means of bestowing respect on the person. The medallion
provided an external witness to internal esteem. We obtain the English word honor from the
Latin word honoro.
Hon•or n 1: high respect, esteem shown to another 2: nobility of mind; probity 3: dignity,
especially that accorded to high rank 4: social courtesy
A person of honor demonstrates respect for others by the way he or she interacts with them
every day. The backbone of honor is respect for authority, and the test of honor is the way a
person treats subordinates.
The word deference comes from the Latin root defero, meaning “to remove obstacles, barriers,
or other kinds of hindrances,” and the Middle French worddeferer, meaning to refer something
or yield to someone.
Def•er•ence n 1: courteous submission to the opinions, wishes, or judgments of others, 2:
courteous respect, 3: the quality of complying with another's desires.
A person of deference learns to see what others see so that he or she can relate to others
constructively.
Service and Servant come from the Latin root servans, meaning to "keep or hold".
A person of service voluntarily serves another. A servant differs from a slave in that the
servant's work is voluntary. A servant will choose to put others first.
Ephesians 5:1, "Therefore, be imitators of God"
Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
A great resource can be found at
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-honor.html
Uriah the Hittite honoring David
Honoring our parents in the Ten Commandments
The young men dishonoring Elisha the prophet
1. Look Beyond
Honor looks beyond the surface and respects the essential dignity invested in each person,
regardless of appearance or disposition. A person of honor upholds this truth in everyday
interactions with individuals from all walks of life. Respect the person, regardless of the
disposition.
2. Heed the Call
Each aspect of life carries particular responsibilities. Employees have particular duties to their
employers, and employers have certain responsibilities for their employees. The same is true of
teachers and students. A person of honor understands these obligations and invests his or her
best effort in each relationship and assignment. Instead of contenting yourself with simply
getting the job done, strive to accomplish the underlying goal.
3. Remember Your Elders
One characteristic of a healthy society is the honor individuals show for those whose past
contributions deserve respect. This honor is expressed in the way you carry on their work, the
respect with which you approach modifications, and your expressions of appreciation. Honor
those who have gone before you, especially those to whom you can personally express
gratitude.
4. Value Character
A culture draws its values from what its people view as honorable. The standards that
community members adopt will have a significant impact on the culture as a whole. Let your
coworkers and family members know how you admire the character qualities they exhibit.
Honor others for their character.
Honor Application Discussion Questions
1. How do you show honor to family or strangers that you meet?
2. Why should we show honor for others?
3. How can you honor other students at school?
4. How can you show honor to a difficult authority?
5. What are four simple ways you can show honor to other people in your life? What values
are honored in our school or in your home, and how is the culture positively or negatively
affected?
6. How have you demonstrated honor to your “elders”?
7. What are some qualities you respect in those around you? Why?
In a Word
Your actions can express disrespect for someone in many ways, and sometimes you may not
realize what you are doing. Rolling your eyes, laughing at someone’s ideas, or looking away
from the person speaking communicates disrespect. Rude gestures, sarcastic facial expressions,
property damage, and mockery seem more direct, but nothing compares to the power
contained in the human tongue.
Watch Your Words (James 3)
Like the rudder of a ship, the tongue is small, but just a few words can turn the course of
events. With your words, you can encourage and challenge others to greater success, or you
can gossip, slander, tear down, and manipulate others. Your words can resolve tension, or they
can fuel an argument. You can honor with words, or you can show tremendous disrespect.
Controlling the tongue is like taming a wild horse, but it can be done!
Monitor Your Attitude
If you will control your tongue, monitor your attitudes. You may feel inclined to share damaging
details about someone in order to discredit his or her ideas, but this information should
become public only when a situation endangers the innocent or involves abuse. The motivation
should always center on telling the truth, protecting people, and restoring the offender where
possible.
Are you looking for ways to build yourself up by tearing others down? Are you taking advantage
of someone by talking behind his or her back? If these negative attitudes control your thinking,
your words naturally reflect meanness, cynicism, or harshness.
Refocus on your responsibilities and correct your heart attitudes so that your words will be
wholesome.
Fill Your Mind
You should also monitor what fills your mind. If you dwell on a person’s faults, you will naturally
make critical comments. This principle applies to any relationship at work, at home, or in the
neighborhood.
Philippians 4:8, " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things."
If you want to view people positively and inspire them to improve themselves, simply
remember that you will find what you seek. Focus on the negative, and you will find it. Look for
good qualities, and you will begin to recognize them.
Understand others so that you can honor them in word and action.