Honoring God isn’t just a good idea—it’s a command written into the fabric of Scripture. You were created to glorify Him, and every part of your life is meant to reflect that purpose. But if you’re asking, Does the Bible really tell me to honor God? or How do I actually do that?—you’re not alone. The answers are clear, rich, and deeply personal. And they’re found in the Word.
The Bible Clearly Tells You to Honor God
You don’t have to wonder if honoring God is optional—it’s written into His commandments, echoed by the prophets, and declared by Christ Himself. Let the Scriptures speak:
Proverbs 3:9
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”
This isn’t just about money. It’s about honoring Him with whatever you have or gain—your energy, your time, your growth.
The firstfruits are sacred because they come first.
1 Samuel 2:30
“…them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
It’s obvious from the verse that when you honor God, He returns that honor. It isn’t a shallow honor either. God’s honor goes into your soul. It definitely touches your identity, your purpose for being here, and your future.
The moment you make the decision to honor God, something incredible starts to happen with yourself. And it runs deep. In fact, it changes you-from the inside-out.
The way you see yourself changes. You start seeing yourself and your life through His eyes. And you will see that you, personally, aren’t just another face. You’re the one He loves so much that He sent His only begotten Son to be a sacrifice on the Cross for. God Himself considers you worth the price He paid.
It’s not pride either. It’s about seeing your “true” value to the Kingdom of God.
When you honor God for who He is and what He has done for you, it changes the way you see the world and yourself.
Isaiah 29:13
“…this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me…”
God sees beyond surface-level worship.
Honor without heart isn’t honor at all.
That verse from Isaiah hits hard: “This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13, KJV).
God’s not looking for lip service, or spending a few hours a week in church. He wants your heart, mind, and body. He’s not looking for structure, He’s after all of your heart.
You can say all the right things. Sing the songs. Bow your head. Even quote Scripture. But if your heart’s not in it, God sees that. He knows when your worship is real and when it’s just for show. He sees through empty gestures the way you see through a fake smile.
Honor without heart isn’t honor at all. It’s like telling someone you love them while planning to walk away. Words lose their weight when they’re not backed by truth.
It’s not performance. That’s wasted effort. It’s connection. All the time. Like you would want your child’s heart, He wants your heart close to His. That raw, honest, I anin’t perfect, everyday closeness that comes from love. It doesn’t come from duty.
It’s simple. Don’t just draw near with your lips. Bring it all. The good, the bad, the ugly. God is definitely looking for hearts that long for Him. That’s the worship He treasures.
Revelation 4:11
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power…”
He’s worthy of honor not just because of what He’s done—but because of who He is. From creation to eternity, honoring God is the right response to His greatness.
God is worthy of all the honor you can muster merely because of who He Is.
God tells you who He is all throughout Scripture—and when He says it, you can count on it.
In Exodus 3:14, God tells Moses, “I AM THAT I AM.” That name alone says it all.
He’s eternal, unchanging, and completely self-existent. He doesn’t rely on anything or anyone—everything relies on Him.
In Genesis 1:1, He’s the Creator: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
He made everything you see and everything you can’t. That means He has power over all of it—nature, time, history, even the human heart.
In Exodus 34:6, God describes Himself to Moses with powerful words: “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”
He’s not distant or cold—He’s patient, kind, and full of truth that never changes.
In Isaiah 44:6, He says, “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
That makes it clear—He’s the only One worthy of your trust, your worship, and your life.
Jesus, who is God in the flesh, said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. Full of truth, full of grace, and always pointing you back to the Father.
God says He is
- your Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
- your Refuge (Psalm 46:1)
- your Redeemer (Isaiah 47:4)
- your Healer (Exodus 15:26)
- your Father (2 Corinthians 6:18)
He’s not just “out there” somewhere. He’s near. He’s personal. And He wants you to know Him not just by name—but by heart.
How Do You Honor God in Everyday Life?
You honor God by how you live, how you speak, and how you treat others.
Honoring Him isn’t a one-time act—it’s your daily expression of love and loyalty.
Obey His Word
John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Obedience is the purest form of honor. When you follow His Word even when it’s hard, you’re showing He’s Lord over your life.
Live with Integrity
Proverbs 20:7 – “The just man walketh in his integrity…”
A life of quiet faithfulness honors God. Your choices in private matter just as much as your public witness.
Maybe more, due to the fact that God knows all about your heart.
Speak with Reverence
Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth… be acceptable in thy sight…”
Every word you speak reveals your heart. Choose words that lift up His name and reflect your reverence for Him.
For us who have spent so much time in the world before coming to The Christ Jesus, find it more difficult than you can imagine to speak only words that lift up God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The only way I’ve found to even start doing this is by always remembering what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, and allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify my mouth as He sanctifies my heart.
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
John 4:24 – “…worship him in spirit and in truth.”
True worship isn’t about location or performance—it’s about connection. God wants your worship to be genuine, not just routine.
Give Sacrificially
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “…God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Honor Him by giving out of love, not obligation. Whether it’s your time, your money, or your gifts—give with a heart that trusts Him.
Trust Him Fully
Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…”
Every time you choose faith over fear, you’re honoring God. Trust is a testimony to His goodness.
Serve Others in His Name
Matthew 25:40 – “…ye have done it unto me.”
When you serve others with love, you’re honoring Jesus directly. He takes it personally—and so should you.
Final Thought: Make Honor Your Lifestyle
Honoring God isn’t just about Sundays. It’s not confined to worship services or religious language. It’s about how you live when no one’s watching. Your decisions, your character, your devotion—all of it can either magnify Him or hide Him.
Ask yourself this:
Does my life and my conversation reflect a heart that honors God?
Am I giving Him my best—or just what’s left?
Start today. Live in a way that says, “You alone are worthy, Lord.” Because He is.
Want more encouragement like this?
Read next: How Righteousness Affects Daily Life
Or explore the full collection at A Close Walk