ByGod is ever willing to help each individual on this planet. He’s already providing rain to people, answering prayers, doing miracles and many tasks. However, He doesn’t do all these things because He has nothing to do. No! He does it because He’s faithful to His Word. For example, in Genesis 8:21, God said something in His heart that has prevailed to date:
“… Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”
Genesis 8:21 NIV
Even though the world’s population has vastly increased and people sin more these days than the people who lived in the time of Noah, God has still not destroyed the Earth by water. He continues to do good despite the evil thoughts of people.
The Limiter of Help
However, there’s something some of us do that limits Him from helping us to the highest level. It’s called dishonour. There are several examples in the Bible about this.
For instance, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, ended up a leprous man because he dishonoured God through his master’s decision not to take anything from Naaman (2 Kings 5:19). He chased after this healed man and took gifts his own master had refused (2 Kings 5:21-22).
You cannot deal with a problem if you don’t know its meaning and root cause(s).
Look at the behaviour of the Nazarites when Jesus arrived in His hometown. Jesus started teaching in the synagogue. But a few moments later, they dishonoured Him, comparing who He was before them to how he used to be as a child to his parents. Because of this bad behaviour, Jesus could not perform many miracles there.
You cannot deal with a problem if you don’t know its meaning and root cause(s). So before dealing with dishonour as a believer, you must know its definition and root cause.
The meaning and the root cause of dishonour
The word “dishonour” is from the Greek word “ἄτιμος,” which means “without honour” or “despise.” Anything you despise, you disregard its value, whether you’ve discovered its full benefits to your life or not. This same principle applies to our relationships with people. If you despise someone – say your spouse, pastor or parent, you’ll disregard his words of counsel. And when you do that, you limit yourself from getting help.
Anyone who dishonours God has little or no idea how much God can elevate His life.
When Jesus couldn’t perform many miracles in Nazareth, it wasn’t because He didn’t have the capacity to do but because the atmosphere of faith got corrupted by godless talk and comparison from people who despised him.
So the root cause of dishonour is a lack of insight into what or who is before you. Anyone who dishonours God has little or no idea how much God can elevate His life. A wife who doesn’t honour (disrespects) her husband shuts down his efforts to help and provide for her. A child that despises his father’s counsel sets himself up for problems.
Honour is key to receiving anything good from God. Without it, you‘ll lose precious gifts, knowingly or unknowingly, just as the Israelites lost several miracles that Jesus could have performed.
Be submissive and respectful
If the Israelites who despised Jesus in Nazareth saw him the way God sees Him, they wouldn’t have compared His past to the present. They would have received their miracles, much more than what Jesus did. But they disrespected Him.
Submission and respect are primary cures to dishonour. Whoever you see, respect the person, including unbelievers, because you could have been worse than them. Jesus has saved you, so don’t despise others. Preach the gospel to them.
Live with a grateful heart unto the Lord. And continue following His ways.
