The Heart of a Leader: Lessons From the Life of David Sample

Day Three — Honor

In today’s cancel culture, it can be tempting to bash those who disagree with us — and don’t even get us started on the people who hurt us. If patience is a forgotten virtue, then honor is a lost virtue. 

After faithfully serving Saul for years and winning battles for him, David found himself living as a fugitive because Saul was on the hunt to kill him. And in a cave, in the middle of nowhere, David was given a chance to get back at Saul — but David understood that revenge would only bring regret. 

He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” (v. 6)

David didn’t agree with Saul’s actions (after all, Saul was trying to kill him), but he knew that disagreement and even disrespect weren’t reasons to dishonor Saul. Despite everything Saul had done, he was still a child of God. And David chose to see Saul through God’s eyes, not his own. 

We know that’s not easy, especially if it’s someone who has hurt you deeply — and in no way is this excusing what was done to you. But leaders take the high road, which is always paved with honor. 

And honor isn’t reserved for only the people above us. Honor is meant for everyone around us. If you want to grow as a leader, get good at honoring all people — not just people who look, think, and act like you. Choose righteousness over being right and don’t try to get even because you’ll never win that way. 

Who in your life are you struggling to honor? Your breakthrough could be on the other side of your behavior, not theirs. Take a moment and write down a few ways you can honor that person this week. Ask God to help you see that person through His eyes.