Living a life that honors God in everything we do is an important goal for Christians. The Bible provides guidance on how to make choices that align with God’s will and bring glory to Him. While we will never achieve perfection in this on our own, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us and guide us in living honorable lives.
What does it mean to live a life honoring to God? Simply put, it is living in a way that is pleasing to Him and submitted to His lordship. The Bible says “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31). God should be at the center of everything we do. Our actions, words, thoughts, and attitudes should all aim to glorify Him.
This covers every area of life – from how we treat our families, friends and coworkers, to how we spend our time and money, to the entertainment we consume. The way we live either reflects the character of Christ in us or diminishes our Christian witness. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to pattern our lives after His.
Key Principles for Honorable Living
There are some key biblical principles that can guide us in living honorably:
- Obeying God’s commands and teachings – Doing what God has instructed in His Word brings Him glory. We obey because we love Him. (John 14:15)
- Serving others – We are called to live selflessly, meeting needs and serving those God places around us. (Galatians 5:13)
- Using gifts and abilities for God’s purposes – God has gifted each of us uniquely, and we honor Him by stewarding these gifts well for His kingdom. (1 Peter 4:10)
- Giving God preeminence in all things – He must have first place in every area of life – career, family, relationships, priorities, etc. (Colossians 1:18)
- Walking in wisdom and integrity – Making choices aligned with biblical values that represent Christ well to others. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
- Giving generously – Using finances, time and abilities to further God’s work and bless others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
- Sharing the gospel – Our lives and words should aim to draw people to Jesus. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Requirements for an Honorable Life
Living honorably requires some key elements:
- Repentance and belief in Christ – Our righteousness comes from Christ alone. We must turn from sin and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. (Acts 20:21)
- The help of the Holy Spirit – He gives us power to overcome sinful desires and live righteously. We cannot do this in our own strength. (Galatians 5:16-18)
- Reading and obeying God’s Word – The Bible equips us for every good work and transforms our minds. It is essential. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Prayer – Communing with God is vital – we gain wisdom, see sin revealed, intercede for others. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Fellowship with other believers – They encourage us in godly living and keep us accountable. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Dying to self – We must daily surrender our own will and desires to God. (Luke 9:23-24)
- Gratitude – Thanking God for all He has done humbles us and focuses our hearts on Him. (Psalm 100:4)
- Conscious choice – We must intentionally live each moment for God’s glory, not our comfort. (Colossians 3:17, 23-24)
Barriers to Honorable Living
There are some key things that can hinder us from living honorably:
- Sinful desires – Cravings to gratify self lead us astray if not submitted to God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
- Worldly influences – Cultural values can shape us more than biblical truth if we are not vigilant. (Romans 12:2)
- Busyness and distraction – Our schedules and things of this world can crowd out time with God. (Luke 10:38-42)
- Ingratitude – Forgetting all God has done for us leads to a lack of worship and obedience. (Deuteronomy 8:11-14)
- Pride – Self-sufficiency, thinking we know best, hinders humble obedience. (Proverbs 16:18)
- Unwise relationships – Friends or family who lead us into sin or away from God. (Proverbs 13:20)
- Lack of self-control – Not reigning in thoughts, words, actions that dishonor God. (Proverbs 25:28)
- Hypocrisy – Inauthentic words or actions diminish our witness. (Matthew 23:27-28)
- Blaming others – Shifting responsibility for sin onto others stunts repentance. (Genesis 3:12-13)
- Undisciplined living – No intentionality in pursuing godliness leads to drift. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Practical Ways to Live Honorably
Intentionally incorporating these practices can help us live honorably in all areas:
- Start each day seeking God in His Word and prayer
- Make choices based on biblical principles, not comfort or convenience
- Treat family members with love, patience and kindness
- Speak truthfully, constructively and edifyingly with colleagues
- Manage money wisely – avoid debt, give generously, save reasonably
- Use free time to serve others, build relationships and rest well
- Consume entertainment that honors God – avoid vulgarity, immorality and impurity
- Make food and exercise choices moderated by temperance, not excess
- Use social media to spread truth and hope, not quarrel or spread gossip
- Pursue excellence in your work as service unto the Lord
- Share your faith graciously when opportunities arise
- Confess sins quickly, repent, and make restitution if needed
- Practice humility, not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought
Honoring God in Specific Areas of Life
Looking closer at a few key areas can give us a better idea of what living honorably requires in daily life.
Work/Career
- Working diligently and responsibly, not being lazy (Proverbs 10:4)
- Treating employees, customers and business partners fairly (Philippians 4:5)
- Speaking and acting honestly regarding finances (Colossians 3:9)
- Not compromising biblical values to get ahead (Proverbs 16:7-8)
- Seeing work as an opportunity to serve others (Ephesians 6:7)
- Giving full effort and not stealing time or resources (Colossians 3:23)
- Being generous with earnings, not greedy (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
- Showing Christlike character on the job (Titus 2:9-10)
Family
- Honoring parents – caring for them as they age (Ephesians 6:2)
- Nurturing children’s faith – teaching and modeling godliness (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
- Being faithful and self-sacrificial in marriage (Ephesians 5:25, 33)
- Having an orderly, hospitable home (Titus 1:8)
- Speaking encouraging truth to one another (Ephesians 4:15)
- Bearing one another’s burdens and showing patience (Galatians 6:2)
- Praying together and spurring each other to spiritual growth (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Church Involvement
- Using spiritual gifts to build up the church (1 Peter 4:10)
- Regularly gathering for worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Supporting the work of the church generously and joyfully (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Seeking unity, avoiding gossip and quarrels (Romans 15:5-6)
- Submitting to spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13:17)
- Praying for church leaders and ministries (Ephesians 6:18-20)
- Sharing the gospel – inviting others to hear, responding when God calls (Matthew 28:19-20)
Friendships
- Walking with the wise – choosing godly friends (Proverbs 13:20)
- Being reliable, honest and selfless towards friends (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Encouraging friends toward spiritual growth (Proverbs 27:17)
- Speaking graciously and edifyingly (Ephesians 4:29)
- Extending hospitality – welcoming people into your home (1 Peter 4:9)
- Celebrating life’s joys and bearing burdens together (Romans 12:15)
- Loving friends despite differences of opinion on disputable matters (Romans 14:1)
- Keeping friends accountable in love (Matthew 18:15-17)
Romantic Relationships
- Remaining sexually pure – avoiding all sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
- Not dating unbelievers – being equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Seeking a potential spouse with godly character (Proverbs 31:10)
- Saving emotional and physical intimacy for marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
- Clarifying relational expectations openly and honestly
- Involving family and Christian community for accountability and wisdom
- Not moving too quickly in making commitments
- Breaking off unhealthy relationships for spiritual protection (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Entertainment Choices
- Avoiding entertainment glorifying evil or graphically indecent (Psalm 101:3)
- Selecting content that is noble, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8)
- Not letting entertainment dull spiritual appetite (Hebrews 5:14)
- Moderating time spent – avoiding overindulgence (1 Corinthians 6:12)
- Asking if Jesus would engage in the same activity (1 John 2:6)
- Considering the impact on your conscience and witness (1 Corinthians 10:31-32)
- Using discernment and wisdom with various forms – movies, video games, internet, music, etc (Philippians 1:9-10)
Social Media Use
- Posting words that build up, not tear down (Ephesians 4:29)
- Representing Christ and biblical values in content shared (Colossians 3:17)
- Being careful to speak truth – avoiding false reports (Proverbs 19:5)
- Avoiding quarrels, disputes and foolish debates (Titus 3:9)
- Posting to genuine interest, not just seeking greater platform (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Considering if content reflects wisdom, nobility and purity (Philippians 4:8)
- Being gracious and charitable in interacting with commenters (Colossians 4:6)
- Keeping personal information reasonably protected
Physical Health Choices
- Seeing the body as the temple of God – caring for it accordingly (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- Eating food in moderation – practicing self-control (Proverbs 23:2)
- Getting sufficient rest and sleep (Psalm 127:2)
- Exercising discipline to maintain physical fitness (1 Timothy 4:8)
- Avoiding drunkenness, addiction and harmful behaviors (1 Corinthians 6:10)
- Using medication properly and avoiding abuse (1 Corinthians 6:12)
- Making choices that honor God in attitude – not vanity (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
- Dressing modestly and appropriately (1 Thessalonians 4:5-6)
The Struggle and Need for God’s Grace
From this long, but not exhaustive list, we see the high bar God’s Word sets for living honorably in all things. The reality is we will fall short every day. Our hearts are prone to wander from God’s standards.
The life exemplified by Jesus – perfectly righteous, pleasing the Father in all ways – shows us the gulf between the holiness God requires and what we can attain through self-effort. But this humbling truth is meant to drive us to grace – finding forgiveness, mercy and power for right living in Christ.
1 John 1:8 reminds us, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We sin, but God forgives. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us we have a sympathetic high priest in Jesus who understands our weaknesses. He urges us: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Living honorably requires depending on the Holy Spirit working in us daily. It means regularly confessing failings and seeking empowerment to align more closely with God’s standards for all of life. We live not seeking perfection by works, but grateful for transformation by grace as we seek above all else to glorify our Savior and King.
