Honoring God is showing great respect for Him. It means walking in fear (deep reverence, awe, etc.) of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. There are many ways to live an honorable life to God, but I have listed 5 of those ways below to honor Him with your life.
Honor God with Your Body
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Taking care of our bodies should be a response of gratitude to receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, the One that is with us daily, leading, helping, teaching, and comforting, giving discernment, and interceding on our behalf to the Father.
Also, your physical health intertwines with your spiritual, mental, and emotional health. When one is out of balance, it throws the others out of balance. When one is taken care of, it will leave a positive effect on the others. But each area- mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional health should be a priority.
In what ways can we honor God with our bodies?
- Eat a well-balanced diet. This can include veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, dairy, or dairy alternatives if lactose intolerant or sensitive.
- Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of cardio, strength training, or a walk outside or at home at least 3 to 4 times a week. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise; just move your body daily if you are able. And don’t forget to stretch!) Here are 7 benefits of regular exercise!
- Rest. Contrary to what our hustle-and-grind culture tells you, you will be more productive and fruitful if you take some time to rest for a day. Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
- Journal. Writing down your thoughts will help you clear your mind from clutter. We often overthink things, and journaling is a way to release them.
- Meditate on God’s word. The word of God will give you peace, instruction, and strength. It also tells you the truth about who you are in Christ. It renews your mind, increases your faith, and transforms you. Meditating on the Word of God benefits both mental and spiritual health as you fill your mind with God’s promises.
Honor God with Your Time
”Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
I, for one, have been a queen of procrastination. Putting things off until another day even though Scripture has clearly told us that tomorrow isn’t promised. In Proverbs 27:1, the word says, ”Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
We shouldn’t put off things that need to be done today for less important things that can wait until tomorrow. For example, we shouldn’t put off working on a project or a task to scroll social media or binge-watch television shows.
Our time here is limited, so we should do what needs to be done while we have it.
How can we honor God with our time?
- Make it a priority to spend time in the Bible, seeking and listening to Him.
- Make prayer a part of your daily lifestyle.
- Serve others by helping them. You may not always have the money to give them, but you have the time.
- Work on your spiritual gifts and talents every chance you have to fulfill your calling and purpose.
- Spend quality time with family and in community with like-minded believers.
- Focus on what’s important and limit your distractions.
- Utilize a daily planner and plan your day the night before or early that morning.
”Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17
Honor God with Your Household
”But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
Despite what the culture wants or what the Joneses do, keep your household focused on the Lord. This world is not our heavenly home. How can we honor God with our children and in our marriages?
With Your Children
”Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
At first, I debated whether I should use this scripture. I believe that, at times, it is taken out of context. Some parents may read this scripture and feel like failures if their child or children choose a path of foolishness and danger despite training and raising them better.
This scripture is not meant to condemn but rather warn and instruct.
As I read this scripture, one thing that I understand is ”be an example” to your children.
One translation I like puts it like this: Point your kids in the right direction – when they’re old, they won’t be lost. (MSG)
So, in what ways can you point them in the right direction? In what ways can you honor God with your children?
- Pray together, teach them to pray, and don’t be afraid of letting them see you pray.
- Have a Bible study family night or incorporate daily reading of the Scripture.
- Attend church with your kids.
- Sing worship songs together.
- Talk to them about the love of Christ and how to treat others.
- Teach them how to apply God’s word to their everyday life.
- Give and serve with them. Let them see Christ in you.
In Your Marriage
”Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do the Lord.” ”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…” – Ephesians 5:21-22 and 5:25a.
Marriage is a sacred covenant between man, woman, and God, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church.
The Church is the bride of Christ. We are to love, honor, and have deep respect for the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. We are called to live lives in submission to the Lord.
I am writing from a place of experienced intimacy with the Lord as I am not married yet. The Scripture states: Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do the Lord, so during this time of singleness, I am walking with the Lord, submiting to his authority and being prepared for marriage.
In what ways can we honor the Lord in our marriage?
- Love God first, then display that love for each other.
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32
- Treat your marriage as a ministry to be used by God because it is your first ministry.
- Pray together and seek God first in all situations.
- Study and discuss God’s Word together when possible.
- Serve together in your local community, church, or charity.
- Make time for intimacy with one another.
Honor God In The Workplace
”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24
There was a time when I needed these reminders, and I am still a work in progress in some areas. We are called to be a light in our daily lives, and yes, that includes in our workplaces. If we are being ungrateful, always complaining, hiding our faith, or being dishonest, those things are dishonoring to God.
In what ways can we honor God in our jobs?
- Be on time. Don’t always show up late if you can help it.
- Don’t grumble and complain. This can be a big one because many of us have found ourselves grumbling and complaining, but truthfully, it only brought our spirits down because complaining is draining.
- Do your work and do it well. Not only when the bosses are watching but even when they’re not. Remember, God is always watching, and He is the one we’re serving.
- Share your faith and live out the Gospel in deed and character. Don’t be a Sunday-only Christian. Show them Jesus through you by how you conduct yourself and treat others.
- Be thankful for your job. If you have benefits such as medical insurance, retirement, or other perks, I say it again: Be Thankful. Expressing gratitude is showing God that you appreciate what He has blessed you with.
Honor God With Your Gifts and Talents
”Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
In the above scripture, Peter is talking about spiritual gifts. You can find some of them in Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:11-13, and 1 Corinthians 12:26-31.
And if God has given you any talent, He doesn’t want you to hide it and never use what He gave you. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus told a parable to His disciples about a master giving his servants money or talents to manage while he was away.
Let’s just say that God takes no delight in the ones that hide their gifts and talents out of fear and laziness.
So, how do we honor God with our gifts?
- First and foremost, dedicate your gifts to God and use them to serve others.
- Use your gifts to edify the body of Christ.
- If you are gifted in teaching, start an online or in-person Bible study group and seek to serve as a Sunday school or children’s ministry teacher.
- For the gift of serving, seek opportunities to volunteer in your local church or community.
- Use the gift of exhortation to encourage and uplift someone in your daily personal life, or use your gift to make videos for all to see. There are different ways and opportunities to encourage.
- If you have a gift for speaking, use your voice to inspire, teach, and/or preach the Gospel.
- Whatever talent you have, i.e., athletic, musical, artsy, cooking, building or fixing things, etc., do it all for the glory of God.
There are many gifts, and we all have been given at least one. It is up to you to discover, develop and use your God-given gifts and talents.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
-Romans 12:1
Monique ST,
TikTok Encouragement
Want more? Read The Character of God: How to Live a Godly Life – Girl On A Mission
Until Next Time!
Love this!
Thank you, Vanessa! I am glad that it was a blessing to you!