In a biblical context, to cherish means to hold someone or something in great love and esteem. This is often reflected in the way God loves His creation and how individuals are called to love one another, as seen in passages like Ephesians 5:29, which emphasizes nurturing and valuing others as oneself.
Scripture
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.
Cherish Character: Biblical Significance
In the biblical context, cherishing embodies a profound sense of love, care, and reverence, reflecting the essence of relationships nurtured by divine commandments. The act of cherishing is deeply rooted in the love God has for His creation, exemplified in verses such as Psalm 139:14, where the psalmist marvels at God’s intricate design of humanity, affirming their inherent worth. This recognition breeds a mutual responsibility among believers to regard one another with the same esteem and affection. In Ephesians 5:29, the instruction for husbands to nourish and cherish their wives underscores the sanctity of marital relationships, indicating that love is an active verb, requiring care that goes beyond mere sentiment into nurturing and self-sacrifice.
Moreover, cherishing extends to the broader Christian community and is reflected in the call to love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34). This mandate involves honoring each individual’s unique contributions to the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and supporting each other through acts of kindness, encouragement, and forgiveness. The concept of cherishing also invites an attitude of gratitude, as seen in Colossians 3:15, where believers are encouraged to let peace rule their hearts and to be thankful. Thus, cherishing in a biblical sense is about creating a culture of love and respect, mirroring God’s unwavering commitment to His creation and fostering a community that radiates His grace.
Cherishing, in the biblical framework, also encompasses a spiritual depth that speaks to how God desires His followers to honor and protect their hearts and souls. The notion is exemplified in Proverbs 4:23, which counsels individuals to guard their hearts, as they are the wellspring of life. This directive underscores the importance of cherishing one’s inner life, advocating for a deep-seated reverence for one’s thoughts, feelings, and spiritual well-being. In doing so, believers cultivate an environment where God’s truth and love can flourish, enabling them to extend that same protection and nurturing care to others.
Furthermore, the command to cherish extends to how individuals engage with the environment and the creation around them. In Genesis, the stewardship bestowed upon humanity emphasizes a sacred responsibility to treat the earth and all its inhabitants with respect. This holistic view of cherishing encapsulates an underlying respect for life in all its forms, inviting believers to respond to the world with a heart of compassion and stewardship. As they recognize the divine imprint in all creation, cherishing becomes an active commitment to preserving and honoring the beauty and complexity of God’s handiwork, thereby reflecting His love not only within their immediate circles but also in their engagement with the wider world.
The Value of Human Life and Relationships
In the biblical context, to cherish means to hold something dear and to recognize its inherent value. This extends to the way individuals are called to view one another, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships and valuing human life. Cherishing others reflects a deep understanding of their worth as creations of God, encouraging believers to foster love, respect, and compassion in their interactions.
The Call to Stewardship
Cherishing also encompasses the idea of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with the care of not only their relationships but also the world around them. This biblical principle encourages believers to cherish the environment, resources, and the community, recognizing that these are gifts from God that require responsible and loving management. By cherishing what has been given, individuals demonstrate gratitude and a commitment to preserving God’s creation.
The Importance of Self-Love and Acceptance
Cherishing oneself is another significant aspect of the biblical meaning of cherish. It involves recognizing one’s own worth and embracing one’s identity as a beloved child of God. This self-cherishing is not rooted in pride but in a healthy understanding of one’s value, which enables individuals to love others more fully. By cultivating a sense of self-worth, believers are better equipped to extend love and kindness to those around them, creating a cycle of mutual cherishing within the community.
How to Cultivate Inner Virtue for a Better Christian Life
Cultivating inner virtue is a deeply personal journey that can transform your Christian life in profound ways. Start by embracing humility, recognizing that we are all works in progress, and that true strength lies in our dependence on God’s grace. Spend time in prayer and reflection, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life that need growth—whether it’s patience, kindness, or self-control. Engage with Scripture daily, allowing the teachings of Jesus to shape your thoughts and actions; remember, it’s not just about knowing the Word, but living it out in your daily interactions. Surround yourself with a community of believers who encourage and challenge you to grow, and don’t shy away from serving others, as acts of love and compassion can deepen your understanding of Christ’s heart. Ultimately, cultivating inner virtue is about aligning your heart with God’s, allowing His love to flow through you and shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
Bible References to Cherishing Character:
Galatians 5:22-23: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
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—
Romans 5:3-5: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
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.
Colossians 3:12-14: 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
2 Peter 1:5-8: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 4:12-16: 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
James 1:2-4: 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Ephesians 4:1-3: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Romans 12:9-21: 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.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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.
Titus 2:7-8: 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Matthew 5:3-12: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22: 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.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
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.