In the Bible, admiration often reflects a deep respect or reverence for God’s attributes and actions, as seen in passages that praise His glory and works (e.g., Psalm 145:5-6). Additionally, admiration can be directed toward wise and righteous individuals whose character exemplifies godly virtues (Proverbs 31:30).
Scripture
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
7 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Biblical Meaning of Admiration
In the Bible, admiration serves as a conduit for recognizing and honoring the majesty of God and the exemplary lives of individuals who reflect His character. This reverence is evident in Scriptures such as Psalm 145:5-6, where the psalmist speaks of the glorious splendor of God’s majesty and His wondrous works that invoke admiration from all who encounter His greatness. This reverence not only denotes an acknowledgment of God’s power and holiness but also sets a standard for human behavior, inspiring believers to cultivate virtues that align with divine principles.
Moreover, the Bible highlights admiration for those who embody wisdom and righteousness, particularly in Proverbs 31:30, which asserts that charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This indicates that true admiration should be grounded in spiritual qualities rather than superficial traits. By cultivating a spirit of admiration directed toward God and His faithful followers, believers create a community that values divine virtues and inspires one another to pursue a life reflective of God’s glory, thus intertwining admiration with the pursuit of holiness and moral excellence.
Additionally, the recognition of admirable qualities also extends to biblical leaders and mentors, who are often revered for their faithfulness and commitment to God’s mission. In Hebrews 13:7, believers are encouraged to remember their leaders, those who spoke the word of God to them, and to consider the outcome of their way of life. This call to remembrance prompts the faithful to admire those whose lives serve as testimonies to God’s faithfulness, thus fostering an environment of inspiration and accountability. Such admiration is not about idolizing individuals but acknowledging the ways in which their faith and dedication manifest God’s love and truth.
Furthermore, the New Testament reflects on the theme of admiration through the way Christians are called to support and uplift one another, as exemplified in Galatians 6:2, where it says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This mutual admiration encourages believers to acknowledge the strengths and gifts of fellow Christians, promoting unity and cooperation in the body of Christ. In this way, admiration becomes a communal act—one that not only honors God but also reinforces relationships built on respect, empathy, and the shared goal of living out the gospel in their lives. Through these collective expressions of admiration, believers manifest their dedication to God while encouraging each other in their spiritual journeys.
The Value of Admiration in Worship
Admiration in the Bible often reflects a deep reverence and awe for God’s majesty and power. This form of admiration is not merely an emotional response but a recognition of God’s sovereignty and holiness. It encourages believers to worship Him wholeheartedly, acknowledging His greatness and the wonders of His creation. This admiration fosters a relationship built on respect and love, leading to a deeper faith and commitment to God’s will.
The Role of Admiration in Relationships
In biblical contexts, admiration extends beyond the divine to human relationships, particularly in the context of family and community. The Bible encourages admiration for virtuous qualities in others, such as wisdom, kindness, and integrity. This admiration can inspire individuals to emulate these traits, fostering a culture of respect and encouragement within the community. It highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the good in others, which can strengthen bonds and promote unity.
The Transformative Power of Admiration
Admiration has the potential to transform both the admirer and the admired. When individuals express admiration for God or for others, it can lead to personal growth and a greater understanding of one’s own values and beliefs. This transformative aspect of admiration encourages individuals to aspire to higher standards and to cultivate virtues that reflect the character of Christ. It serves as a catalyst for positive change, motivating believers to act in ways that honor God and uplift those around them.
How to Cultivate a Deeper Christian Faith
Cultivating a deeper Christian faith is a journey that requires intentionality and openness to God’s leading in your life. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing the Word to transform your heart and mind; consider setting aside time each day for prayer and reflection, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding. Engage with your church community, as fellowship with other believers can provide support, encouragement, and accountability on your spiritual path. Don’t shy away from asking tough questions or wrestling with doubts—these moments can lead to profound growth. Lastly, serve others in your community, as acts of love and kindness not only reflect Christ’s heart but also deepen your connection to Him. Remember, faith is not a destination but a dynamic relationship that flourishes with patience, practice, and a willingness to seek God in every aspect of your life.
Bible References to Meaning of Admiration:
Psalm 19:1-6: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 Which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 139:13-18: 13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
Proverbs 31:10-31: 10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Song of Solomon 4:1-7: 1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost its young.
3 Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil.
4 Your neck is like the tower of David, built in rows of stone; on it hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors.
5 Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters.
6 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go away to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense.
7 You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
Isaiah 40:28-31: 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Matthew 5:14-16: 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:28-30: 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Luke 7:1-10: 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
2 A centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.
3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him,
5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.
6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
John 15:12-17: 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Romans 12:9-13: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Philippians 4:8-9: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
And to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Peter 3:3-4: 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.