Focusing on Quiet
The Christians in Thessalonica were accused of stirring up discontent (Acts 17:6-9), so Paul encourages them to live respectable and modest lives for the purpose of putting to rest any lingering suspicions. He tells them to continue living to please God by pursuing a holy life and loving others and also challenges them to do these in increasing measure.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Before giving them instructions for moving forward, Paul first tells these early Christians what they are doing right. His example reminds us of the importance of recognizing where we stand with pleasing God before we move forward. Then Paul gives instructions for where to focus future efforts along with providing reasons for doing so.
What’s the focus? Lead a quiet life.
How do we keep that focus? Mind your own business and work with your hands.
Why should we focus there? To win the respect of and not be dependent on others.
Struggling with Quiet
Many people struggle with the idea of a quiet life. This could be largely because our culture promotes anything but living quietly. Added to this are Jesus’ own words telling us to “go and tell,” which sort of feels like a push to not live quietly. (Matthew 26:16-20)
The Dictionary of Bible Themes defines quietness this way:
“A calm, peaceful and restrained attitude to life and way of approaching God frequently commended in Scripture even in adverse circumstances. It is also a condition experienced by God’s friends and enemies when confronted by His majesty.”
In other words, a quiet life is an attitude rather than physical state of being. This means speaking out against injustices and proclaiming the Gospel still fall under the activity of a Christian, but they come from an attitude that reflects a quiet inner life. David gives us a great visual for understanding this type of inner quiet.
“Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me.” (Psalm 131:2)
Pursuing Quiet
Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:11 in several translations helps to further understand what Paul meant by encouraging the pursuit of a “quiet life.”
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.” (NIV)
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life.” (NLT)
“Aspire to live quietly.” (ESV)
“Strive earnestly to live quietly.” (Berean Literal)
“Ye study to be quiet.” (King James)
“Seek to live a quiet life.” (Holman Christian Standard)
Pursuing a quiet life exists as a deliberate effort on our part, and it won’t happen unless we choose to make it happen. Not only that, but the benefit lies largely with the impact we have on others.
“…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent upon anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:12)
Consider this pattern given by Paul to the Thessalonian Christians for moving ahead in your own walk with the Lord. Take time to assess where you are now, and adjust your focus according to God’s desires. Then, take steps toward achieving that inner quiet that speaks volumes about the presence of God in an individual’s life.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15)
coachmbrown
Contentment… It is a journey or more specifically an inward pursuit that does not seek the limelight, but draws plenty of attention nonetheless. Contentment is hard to describe but easily recognizable when one sees it in others. Notice the warning is not to be contentious – quite the opposite, which Paul scolded against such a behavior. Sometimes we confuse the two…
Kari Scare
And seeing it in others motivates us, hopefully, to pursue it in our own lives. That is how the "quiet life" becomes a testimony and a witness.
cycleguy
We must have been sort of on the same wave length these days Kari. I am trying to have much less noise in my life and find time for quiet. I like the idea of talking less and listening more for me. 🙂
My recent post Puzzled
Kari Scare
I think most people could talk less and listen more, even this introvert. My goal is deeper instead of broader as a whole-life approach, if that makes sense.
Deb Wolf
Great post, Kari. For me, it's beginning every day in prayer and Bible Study. Without that . . . well, it's just chaos. Inner chaos that always leads to outer turmoil. A quiet life makes it easier to speak the truth with gentleness and respect and I think that's the only way we're really heard. Blessings!
Kari Scare
Thanks, Deb. Starting the day in the Word & prayer is certainly essential for a quiet life, Deb. When our inner life is quiet, we are able to operate in a chaotic world in ways that witness of the goodness of God to others.
Diligent, Peaceable & Occupied |
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The Reality of Your Focus |
[…] Pursuing a Quiet Life — A peaceful inner life permeates the outer, physical state of a person. It’s a deliberate effort that benefits not just our own lives but the lives of the people around us too by witnessing to the impact of the presence of God in a person’s life. […]
Real Happiness
Living quietly is something that you earn – after getting all your kids through college and out of the nest
My recent post Authentic Happiness Lies In What We Lack
Kari Scare
Your point is well taken. The seasons of life certainly dictate what a quiet life consists of, that's for certain. Thank you for the comment.
A Slow Place – Struggle to Victory
[…] Yet, a slow pace calls to my soul. A pace that walks like Jesus did with purpose but never with interruption and that regularly took time with those closest to him and with the Heavenly Father. It’s a pace that values planting, watering, cultivating, and waiting. It’s one that stays connected to the vine and that seeks humility and a quiet life. […]