How Does God Want Me to Honor People? Veneration vs. Worship

October 18, 2024
00:00 47:41
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In this episode of the Salty Saints Podcast, Randy and I take a deep dive into the concepts of honor and worship, prompted by our previous discussion on the commandment to honor your father and mother. We explore the nuances of what it means to honor someone versus worshiping them, particularly in the context of our Western cultural understanding of humility and honor.

We begin by examining the biblical definitions of worship in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the Hebrew word "shachah" and the Greek "proskuneo," both of which convey the idea of bowing down or prostrating oneself. We discuss how honor is expressed through various Hebrew words, with a focus on "kavad," which means to give weight or significance to someone.

Throughout the episode, we grapple with the complexities of honoring individuals who may not reflect God's character, such as abusive parents, and how we can still recognize their inherent value as image bearers of God. We also touch on the importance of humility in the act of honoring others, emphasizing that true honor comes from a heart posture that seeks the best for others.

As we navigate these themes, we reference biblical passages that illustrate the call to honor one another and the significance of serving God. We conclude by reflecting on the balance between giving honor and avoiding the pitfalls of seeking glory for ourselves, ultimately reminding our listeners that all honor should point back to God.

Join us as we unpack these important concepts and encourage one another to live out a life of honor in our relationships, all while keeping our focus on the ultimate source of honor—God Himself. Stay salty!

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Hey, I’m Zack! I’m a pastor at New Hope Church on the south side of Indianapolis, IN. I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in Biblical Studies. I am currently engaged to my fiancé Abby, and depending on how often these bios get updated, I may be married by the time you’re reading this. I love apologetics, theology, and hearing about people coming to Christ. My goal as a Christian is to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ, to spread the Gospel, and to disciple others to do the same. In all reality, I could go into depth about who I am, but the best way to find that out is to tune into the podcast… like right now… :)
After 43 years of teaching the Bible and practical theology and church planting in Hispanic cultures, I have now been a pastor at New Hope Church since 2017. In that role, I hope to help others understand God’s Word in ways that will change their lives. My wife Linda and I have four adult children and eight grandchildren.
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