Last week we discussed how Ham's sin of exposing the shame of his father, Noah, led to Noah's curse upon Ham's son, Canaan. Noah saw in Ham a character flaw that would be passed on to Ham's children. The specifics of this curse would be that, from generation to generation, Ham's descendants would become the "servants of servants." Why would they abide in this economic slavery? Simply because one who habitually disrespects, shames or exposes the weaknesses of those in authority over them simultaneously disables their ability to advance in life.

You say, "Well, I am not going to be anyone's 'yes man.' If I see something wrong in a person, I'm going to warn others about it." Fine. But beware that what you are calling "courage to speak out" is not more truly a deception masking a rebellious, dishonoring attitude. In other words, we each ought to take heed that our boldness to talk to others about problems with the boss or pastor or spouse is not just a pretense for self-righteousness, pride and dishonor.

Our capacity to genuinely show honor to people is something God wants us to learn. Consider: From the beginning of our lives, the Lord instructs us to honor those over us. Indeed, the commandment, "honor your father and your mother," Paul tells us, is the first commandment with a promise, "that it may go well with you and that you will live a long life." In other words, if we habitually dishonor our parents or those in authority over us, it will not go well with us.

To show honor does not lower us, it simply raises others. It is not an act of fear, but humility. Thus Paul writes, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God" (Rom 13:1-2a). The entire realm of authority and social structure is God's answer for chaos and anarchy. Earthly governments and institutions, of course, are not the Lord's highest or final authority, but this is a profound thought: "there is no authority except from God."

We all know there are occasions when men misuse their positional authority and stand against the will of God. In which cases, we must obey the Lord's higher authority above institutional authority. But that is only when we have been commanded by a ruler or employer to directly disobey the Word of God or renounce truth. Yet, even in this context, we are not called to dishonor those in authority as we seek to obey a higher authority. In other words, we do not have to have a rebellious attitude toward men in order to have an obedient attitude toward God.

To honor someone is to ascribe to them worth and value. In a world where life is systematically cheapened, our ability to genuinely show honor declares that every soul is important, both to God and to ourselves. Indeed, the Scriptures affirm time and again that we are to honor people for their humanity, even if we disagree with their actions.

You say, "What if there is sin in that leader, do we still submit and honor them?" I ask, "When would there NOT be sin in a leader?" No one is perfect. But even in regard to what appears as flagrant sin, the Scriptures call us to go to the person in private, in the spirit of gentleness and humility (Matt 18; Gal 6:1). We still are to honor them and not quickly expose them. Indeed, even when there is failure, if there is repentance, love covers a multitude of sins. Talk about the issue privately and then cover it; do not immediately seek to expose a person, but restore. This is the dignity and nobility of heaven.