A Gentle and Quiet Spirit Sue Bohlin sueprobe
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit Sue Bohlin sue@probe. org
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit • The Beauty of a Godly Life • The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • The Beauty of a Submissive Heart
The Beauty of a Godly Life “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. ” (1 Pet. 3: 2)
The Beauty of a Godly Life The witness of a godly life is a powerful thing • Purity: free from defilement. Modest; chaste. • Reverence: literally, “of fear. ” – An awareness of the power of possessing holy fear – A respect of the responsibility of wielding it well
The Beauty of a Godly Life Fear of the Lord • Hatred of sin • Deep awe as we contemplate the holiness of God • Prov. 31: a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised
The Beauty of a Godly Life Fear of one’s husband • • Reverence Esteem highly as authority and head Treat with respect Understand imago dei, a soul for whom Christ died • Fear of displeasing one’s husband • Holy reverence: respecting a husband’s displeasure
The Beauty of a Godly Life Fear of her influence as a woman • Both good and evil • Helps or hinders others to be holy
The Beauty of a Godly Life “Won without a word” “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. ” (1 Pet. 3: 2)
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ” (I Pet. 3: 3 -4)
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • Don’t settle for merely external beauty • Far more important is the internal beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. • “Gentle and quiet spirit” does not mean a quiet personality. • Gentle = meekness • “Power wrapped in gentleness”
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • Meekness: the result of a strong trust in God • We are able to accept His dealings with us as good • Closely linked with humility • Not fighting with God or people • The opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • Meekness: a settled, balanced spirit that is neither high on self nor down in dumps • It’s not occupied with self at all. • Prov. 31: 25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and can laugh at the days to come. ” • The ultimate example: the Lord Jesus
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • Quiet spirit: not speaking few words, but a tranquil spirit • Root word means “firm, immovable, steadfast” • Psalm 91: the antidote for tranquillity-stealers
The Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit • A gentle and quiet spirit is of “great worth” in God’s sight. • Same word used of spikenard ointment Mary used to anoint Jesus’ feet
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart • “In the same way, be submissive to your husbands” (v. 1) • “For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. “ (vv. 5 -6)
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart What does submission mean? • • 2 Greek words: “To station oneself under” To yield to another’s admonition or advice To subject oneself To offer one’s gifts and strengths to make up what is lacking in another • To be cooperative and supportive from the heart • “A voluntary relinquishing of one’s desires and rights”
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart Submitting to God is the context for submitting to anyone else • • Christ to parents Demons to disciples Everyone to higher authorities Son to the Father Christians to church leaders Wives to husbands Church to Christ Servants to masters
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart False submission • Giving in while holding a grudge • Putting on a false front while privately you make life miserable for others • Whenever you have a heart full of rebellion and self-will
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart What submission is NOT: • • • Never disagreeing Always giving in Blind obedience Arranging your life around your husband Spoiling your husband (keeping him comfortable at all costs)
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart What submission is NOT: • • • Obedience with defiance Acting like a child, not an adult Gritting your teeth and fuming De-selfing (“I don’t matter”) Denying your identity as a separate person • Accepting abuse
The Beauty of a Submissive Heart Beauty in Submission • It’s what we were created to do • Submit to God • Submit to others • Meets needs of husband • Men need to be respected • Women need to be cherished • Meets needs of leaders • To be followed and supported
God wants us to manifest His glory through the beauty of • A godly life • A gentle and quiet spirit • A submissive heart
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