Since the beginning of the recent revelations about “clergy sexual abuse” at IHOPKC, I’ve heard some espouse the idea that the “Culture of Honor” in certain circles has contributed to abusers in authority being shielded and portrayed as victims, while the actual victims, whistleblowers, and advocates are portrayed as agents of satan/evil.

When I looked up “culture of honor” to provide a definition, I found drastic differences, depending on the group being discussed, ranging from

“a culture where people avoid intentionally offending others, and maintain a reputation for not accepting improper conduct by others.” (Wikipedia)

To “A complex set of beliefs, attitudes, and norms about the importance of personal reputation, and the necessity of protecting and defending one’s reputation and social image.” (Iowa State Univ. site)

Even “Cultures placing a high emphasis on the importance of a man’s willingness (and ability) to violently, and even lethally, retaliate against anyone who insults him or his family.” (Springer .com)

And more… I quickly realized that defining what I’m talking about is important! Where this phrase has been adopted in a Christian context, I believe the purported goal is to follow Scriptural guidelines about honoring our leaders, fellow believers, and all, with the respect and value due to all created in the image of God. Sounds like a worthy endeavor.

Unfortunately, according to the testimony of some, the execution of this concept at times more closely resembles definition 2 (above), with even some expressing concerns in line with definition 3 (Where celebrity leaders have an empire to protect from damaging truth coming to light that would threaten it).

Yesterday morning, I read a thread on X that highlighted how this same emphasis on honor is also being used as a shield to protect false teaching and prophecy, due to a refusal to allow God’s alleged “anointed” (minister or ministry) to be subjected to the Biblical criteria of testing, while those who try to test and discern all things according to Scripture are labeled as having critical spirits, offense, or religious spirits.

The man writing the thread said,

“That’s when I learned that ‘culture of honor’ was insulation against accountability.”

He went on to say,

“I’m very charismatic, but I can admit that there’s a ton of weird stuff being elevated as ‘prophetic’ or ‘apostolic.’ There are leaders who need to be questioned and answer for nonsense said and done. BUT, to ask those questions or admit things are weird is ‘dishonoring.’ “

“What is the reward for ‘honor?’ Elevation – invitations to secret networks and retreats. Access – if I had a dollar for everyone who’s told me they had __’s phone number (I redacted this minister’s name), I’d be a rich man. Result of ‘dishonor?’ (referring to voicing legitimate concerns about whether a teaching or practice really lines up with Scripture/Truth) Gaslighting, backbiting, and seclusion.” (@jordanevans_nc thread)

Other accounts revealed additional tactics that have been employed to silence, intimidate, and condemn those who have tried to raise legitimate questions or concerns. It’s amazing the lack of self-awareness occurring when those promoting unconditional respect and honor fail to show the same respect and honor that they demand.

It doesn’t escape notice that what’s happening is just another manifestation of the enemy’s “law of reversal” (discussed in “The Inception of Inversion” blog) that we’re seeing en masse throughout society. In this application of it, evil and injustice are being protected and rewarded and those who point it out or stand against it are being gaslit and punished.

In fact, after hearing such a story on the news the same day – where the whistleblowers who exposed inappropriate behavior were portrayed as the villains by mainstream media – I felt the Lord was confirming to write about this since it had come up multiple times within hours.

How distressing to find this reversal, inversion, and gaslighting not only taking place in the world, but at times even in the church.

I’ve heard others describing a culture of honor sometimes involving

• a “mafia”-like system that surrounds and protects certain leaders,

• leaders surrounding themselves with “yes” men and women, and removing anyone in an advising capacity who raises questions or concerns instead of falling in line,

• and the concept of “servant leadership” being inverted into requiring congregants to serve leaders in inappropriate and unreasonable ways (to jockey for position and platform).

And we’ve personally witnessed how popular hype around certain ones causes individuals to be too self-doubting to acknowledge blatantly obvious issues, resulting in “The Emperor’s New Clothes” phenomenon.

As many at IHOPKC have already begun to do, there’s a time when we must seriously question whether certain elements of a CULTure have actually turned it into more of a CULT.

Of course it would be ridiculous to throw the baby out with the bathwater and determine that encouraging respect and honor for those in authority, and for one another, is dangerous or wrong. Clearly these are Biblical principles we should live by. Perhaps the idea of a culture of honor was originally instituted with noble intentions as a countercultural response to the pervasive dishonor and disrespect of this generation. But as with every other well-intentioned correction, we need to guard against the tendency to overcorrect so the proverbial pendulum doesn’t swing too far the opposite way to another error of extreme. It seems in certain cases, the call to respect and honor has been applied to the exclusion of other equally valid Biblical truths, not making allowance for what we’ve come to call “the two sides of wisdom” that are found by studying the whole counsel of Scripture.

The two sides of wisdom are best exemplified in passages that appear contradictory on the surface, but in reality are revealing two equally valid truths – two opposite sides of the same coin.

One of the clearest examples of this can be seen in Proverbs 26:4-5

4 Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.

Because these two truths appear contradictory, they require us to receive the wisdom of God (word of wisdom) in order to know when we should apply which truth – which side of the coin. By holding the two apparent contradictions in tension, we’re much more likely to find a place of proper balance, rather than veering off into a ditch of error on either side of the road.

One of our pastors taught such a message on Sunday – trying to balance what are possibly Jesus’ most quoted words, “Do not judge”, with other passages in the NT that call us to make right judgments (including some found in the same chapter – Mt 7). These seemingly contradictory Scriptures, that give us guidelines for when, how, and who to judge, make clear that those who insist on applying Jesus’ “Do not judge” statement in every situation, as if it’s the totality of instruction He’s given us on this subject, err.

Likewise, when we try to apply the mandate to respect and honor our leaders and one another to the exclusion of other equally valid truths, failing to hold this truth in tension with other Scriptures that bring us into proper balance, we will err – and something intended to create a healthy, beautiful, loving environment will turn into an unhealthy, ugly, unloving one.

So when does the noble virtue of Honor turn into a vice of Horror?

I believe some examples would be (I’m sure this isn’t a comprehensive list):

• When the call to honor leads us to abandon God’s instruction to test and examine all things, only holding fast to the good. (I Thess 5:19-21, I Cor 14:29)

• When those who diligently search Scripture to see if the things being taught are in line with Truth are labeled and rejected for being dishonoring, subversive, critical, or having a religious spirit. (Acts 17:11, I Tim 4:16, II Tim 2:14-19, II Thess 2:15)

• When honoring leaders supersedes our higher call to obey God rather than men. (John 12:43, Acts 5:29)

• When honor leads us to fail to adequately test leaders or causes us to tolerate false teaching and prophecy – especially that leads people into sin. (Mt 7:15-27; 24:4-5, 11, 23-27, Mk 13:21-23, Acts 20:26-31, Col 2:16-19, II Thess 2, I Tim 3; 6:3-21, Titus 1, II Pt 2, Jude, Rev 2:2, 14-15, 20)

• When we believe honor involves welcoming and blessing those who bring another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel, or a different doctrine that departs from or alters what Jesus taught. (Jn 7:16-18; 14:15-24, II Cor 11, Gal 1:8, I Jn 4:1, II John 1:8-11)

• When honoring authority involves submitting to ungodly control, manipulation, and being abused in various ways. (Jer 23:1-4; Ez 34, II Cor 11:20, Mt 20:20-28; 23:1-39, 1 Pt 5:1-6)

• When honoring and “calling out the gold” displaces the call to confront and correct sin, to rebuke, warn, and to preach true repentance. (Mt 18:15-17, Mk 11:15-17, Acts 17:30; 26:20, I Cor 5, II Tim 2:23-26, II Tim 4:1-4, Jms 4:1-10 )

• When honor prevents us from following the Biblical mandate to also hold leaders accountable for sin. (I Tim 5:19-22, Gal 2:11)

The reality is that discerning truth and confronting error in these ways is not mutually exclusive with respect and honor. When we respect and honor God and His Word above all, we’ll seek to follow these balancing Scriptures in love, even with respect and honor in every way possible, without compromising Truth.

Referenced – The Inception of Inversion