A serious issue is spreading through the body of Christ. Offense and accusation are dividing believers and weakening churches. This is not a personality issue. It is spiritual warfare.
Landon Schott, senior-lead pastor of Mercy Culture, identifies the source clearly: “I saw the spirit of offense going rampant in the body of Christ.” The attack is intentional and it is already inside the church.
Dishonor Removes Spiritual Authority
Dishonor is not a small matter. It separates believers from God’s authority and protection.
“Every time you engage in dishonor, it causes you to walk out from spiritual authority and it causes you to lose your fear of the Lord,” Schott said. “Dishonoring people will never honor God.”
Honor is defined as assigning heaven’s value to people. It keeps believers aligned with God. Dishonor does the opposite.
“Dishonor welcomes the demonic just like worship welcomes the Holy Spirit,” Schott said.
This is why many believers feel resistance in their spiritual lives. The issue is not always external pressure. It is internal posture.
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Dishonor Stops the Move of God
Scripture shows what dishonor produces.
In Jesus’ hometown, miracles were limited because of how people treated Him. “He could not do mighty works there” (Mark 6:5). The issue was not ability. It was dishonor.
“Where there is dishonor, there will be no miracles,” Schott said.
Numbers 12 gives another example. Miriam spoke against Moses with a critical spirit. God responded, and she was struck with leprosy (Num. 12:10).
This situation was not about sin or doctrine. It was rooted in preference.
“How many ministries are destroyed over people’s personal preferences?” Schott said.
Five Ways to Live Out Honor
Schott lays out practical ways to walk in honor:
- Honor God with your money
Giving and stewardship confront the pull of mammon (Matt. 6:24). Honor in finances reflects trust in God. - Honor God with your body
Purity resists lust and perversion. “Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). - Honor God with your worship
What you go to first reveals what you value. Honor places God first (Ps. 29:2). - Honor God in your marriage
Faithfulness guards against sexual sin. “Let marriage be held in honor” (Heb. 13:4). - Honor spiritual authority
Respecting leadership protects against offense and preserves covering (1 Tim. 5:17).
The Issue Is Already in the Church
The greatest threat is not outside pressure. It is dishonor within the church.
“You have to leave the presence of God to dishonor,” Schott said. “But honor keeps you in the presence of God or keeps you in the protection of God.”
This battle is active now. Honor determines whether a believer walks in authority or steps out from it.
Honor is not optional. It is how the battle is fought.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
