Honour is Seen in How You Speak
Key Text: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…” Ephesians 4:29
One of the loudest ways honour speaks is through your mouth. Honour is not just respect in your heart, it is respect in your speech. The truth is, you can smile at someone and still dishonour them with your words when they are not around. Many people behave like angels face to face, but once the person leaves, they turn into commentators, critics, and comedians. They will laugh and say, “That guy is somehow,” or “That sister is doing too much.” But those small statements are not harmless. They are seeds. And if you keep planting dishonour, do not be surprised when your relationships start growing weeds.
Words create atmosphere. If you keep speaking negatively about people, you will start seeing them negatively. You will interpret everything they do with suspicion. Even when they greet you, you will say, “That greeting is fake.” Even when they help you, you will say, “They have an agenda.” Dishonour makes your heart hard and your eyes blind. But honour does the opposite. When you speak with respect and kindness, you create peace around you. That is why the Bible warns us to use words that build, not words that break. Some people have broken friendships, families, and even church unity, not because of witchcraft, but because of loose mouth.
Honour also shows in how you correct people. Not every truth must be delivered like a slap. Some believers correct others like they are fighting for heavyweight title. Correction is good, but disrespect is evil. Even when someone is wrong, you do not have to disgrace them to be right. If your words always carry insult, sarcasm, and mockery, it means your heart is not healthy. The goal of honour is not to pretend people are perfect, but to treat them as valuable. People are not rubbish. They are God’s creation. And if God values them, your mouth should not reduce them.
Prayers and Confession
Father, cleanse my heart and my mouth. Help me to speak words that bring life, not shame. I receive grace to honour people with my speech, even when they are not present. I declare that my words will heal, build, and strengthen relationships. My tongue is submitted to the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection
Is there someone you often speak about negatively, even jokingly? What change can you make today to begin speaking honourably?
Further Reading
Proverbs 12:18, James 1:26, Matthew 12:36-37, Colossians 3:8-10, Proverbs 15:1
