In my Tuesday bible study, we are reading through Paul’s epistles. It struck me that he said in each of the last three letters we read, to lead a quiet life. I don’t think it means to live a silent life. I think it means to live a life in moderation. I think Paul was instructing us to go to work, take care of our families, and to live a Godly life.
Paul actually said “to mind your own business” and “walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines the adjective quiet as: free from noise or uproar and defines the verb quiet as; to make secure by freeing from dispute or question.
that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
–1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
Paul instructed the Thessalonians to work and not be busybodies. Paul instructed them to “work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
–2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NKJV)
In the book of Timothy, Paul again gives advice to live a quiet and peaceful life, because this is good and acceptable to God.
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior
–1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NKJV)
We need Paul’s advice and instruction today. Human nature does not change. With all the noise of social media, it seems to be even harder to live a quiet life. We are bombarded with pictures and posts trying to make things that God clearly opposes seem normal and acceptable.
When I get away from social media, I feel calm and more at peace in my heart. God does not want us to feel overloaded by the world. God wants us to come to him and give us rest.
This morning when my kids read their devotional*, the theme was also about rest. When God created the world, then he rested on the seventh day. Sunday should be a day of rest.
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
–Genesis 2:2 (NKJV)
Hmm, I wonder if God is trying to tell me something…
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*Devotional: Jesus Calling: 365 Devotionals for Kids by Sarah Young
Embrace This Beautiful Life 