Having a Meek and Quiet Spirit
1 Peter 3:3-4 KJB
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Having a meek and quiet spirit as Christian women is something that we learn as we get sound doctrine built up in our inner man.
First of all, being meek and quiet isn't just for women! There are several verses that tell men and women to be meek and to be quiet.
Titus 3:2 - To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Colossians 3:12
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Ephesians 4:2
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Websters 1828 dictionary defines meekness as:
MEE'KNESS, noun Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.
1. In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness.
The first mention of meekness in the KJB is in Numbers 12:3 which says,
3 "(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)"
Quiet in the Websters 1828 dictionary says (as applied to a person's attributes)
QUI'ET
Peaceable; not turbulent; not giving offense; not exciting controversy, disorder or trouble; mild; meek; contented.
I think sometime that people assume that meekness and quiteness are qualities meant for women only. But Christian women and men are to be meek, gentle and quiet. You really don't see this displayed a whole lot in our current "brute, loud and obnoxious" culture. Everyone has an opinion and these days they are loud, controversial and obnoxious about it. It isn't just television and movies that promotes this brass behavior but also politics, the news programs, sports, and even some educational programs can promote this kind of behavior. Parents and teachers can also teach this to their children by their own behavior. It isn't empowering for women to be loud, proud and obnoxious and it also isn't manly for Christian men to be loud, proud and obnoxious either. It's just sinful. Period.
I was recently in a dental office and after discussing things with the dentist, she casually used some foul language. Her behavior was a little too casual, and I was really taken aback! I had never experienced such a thing in a professional, medical setting. I don't even listen to foul language on TV or movies, why would I want to listen to that in my doctors office? I brushed it off but at my next visit the hygienist also used the same curse words! I realized that the dentists behavior probably encouraged the rest of the staff to behave similarly. These were not just young, male, hot shot dentists. They were all middle aged women! It was also in a brand new upscale clinic in a very nice neighborhood! In such a professional setting they should have known better. But people are becoming more bold and obnoxious these days, including older women, and so many women today are just "heavy laden with sins".
So, we learn to be loud and obnoxious from society, but we can now as believers instead choose to learn to be meek and quiet by reading and studying God's Word rightly divided. In fact this is the ONLY way to truly learn to be meek and quiet in a biblical sense and not just an effort we make through the flesh. There are plenty of books, blogs and YouTube videos about teaching women to be more gentle and feminine, but they are NOT the word of God and any effort we take to improve our flesh will ultimately be a failure. Paul said that in our flesh dwells no good thing. It has to be Christ and His word living in and through us or else it's just the flesh making an effort. The flesh doesn't change! It's just as foul as before we were saved, but we also have God's Spirit in us which is why we need to put off the old man and instead walk in the Spirit.
Romans 7:18 KJB
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
We are meek when we remember God's amazing grace towards us and we then behave graciously towards others as well. We are meek when we forgive others just as God through Christ has forgiven us. We are meek when we choose to put aside our own personal opinions and instead speak sound doctrine which is edifying to others.
To be quiet we also need to study God's word. God wants women to have meek and quiet spirits. The spirit is in the mind. As believers, we have the mind of Christ and so we are to keep our minds renewed with the word of God. This quiets the voice of the flesh, with all of its lustful desires. It's better to be thinking about and meditating upon godly things that are edifying, rather than always focused on worldly things. If you fill your mind constantly with garbage, you will behave accordingly. God's word is also practical as it matures us spiritually so that we tend to make better decisions in life.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
11 And that ye study [study God's word] to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
I also wanted to discuss 1 Peter 3, verses 3 and 4. Keep in mind that this is written specifically TO believing Jewish women (and men) during the tribulation period (the church the Body of Christ will be in the heavenly places at that time; we are raptured out before the 7 year tribulation on the earth begins). Imagine the kinds of things that they will be going through during that time (just read the book of the revelation!).
1 Peter 3:3-4 KJB
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [during this time, believers cannot buy or sell unless they take the mark of the beast. So these Jewish women will have to forgo all of the worldly things and focus entirely on God and His word and rely on Gods miraculous provisions for the Jewish believers (perhaps manna from heaven). Also, I am sure that the unbelieving women at this time will really be flaunting their expensive clothing, jewelry etc just as they do today though it may be even worse! In the beginning of the tribulation period, Israel will experience more wealth but it will not last. A mark of an unbeliever would probably be their worldly and expensive looking appearance during this time.]
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [the fashions and latest trends of this world are perishable and actually worthless in God's eyes] even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, [God's word living and working in and through them] which is in the sight of God of great price. [ALL who are "in Christ" are enormously valuable in God's eyes; God rewards believers when we allow him to live in and through us].
The most important thing isn't our appearance, nor our personal opinions, but God's word rightly divided. It's far more important for us to teach and exhibit in our behavior, sound grace doctrine so that the lost might hear it and believe it (and that fellow believers are encouraged through sound grace doctrine as well). During the tribulation period God wants these female Jewish believers to allow Christ to live in and through them so that hopefully more Jews will be saved. Since they are also required at that time to "endure until the end" its even more important for all of the believers to stick with God and His word and to be encouraging to one another (considering also the crazy things that they will be going through!). These Jewish believing women who allow Christ to live in and through them and who endure until the end, will receive great rewards in the kingdom after the tribulation period is over, during the millennial reign of Christ on the earth.
Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 37:11 - But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
If these Jewish women can be meek and quiet during a time like that, then certainly believers today in the dispensation of grace can as well! And as we allow Christ to live in and through us, we too can earn rewards for our positions in the heavenly places with Christ.
Colossians 3:1-3
3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
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