By Elizabeth Prata
Do you know what’s precious to God? I do. And I didn’t learn this in a vision or a prompt or intuition. God told us ladies what is precious to Him. It’s in His word! Here it is:
Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Because Jesus is so precious, because He is so lovely, because He is so wonderful, we should care about what He cares about. And He cares that His women have a quiet spirit. Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says:
“The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit – Of a calm temper; a contented mind; a heart free from passion, pride, envy, and irritability; a soul not subject to the agitations and vexations of those who live for fashion, and who seek to be distinguished for external adorning.”
Do we care more about what we wear than what we say? Do we care that our jewelry sparkles more than how our godly spirit is sparkling?
The Lord is not banning use of fine clothes or jewelry. It’s the intent in which we dress finely or wear our jewels. He is reminding us that He is the treasure. Do we seek to be distinguished for external adorning? Or for internal spiritual beauty?
Matthew Henry said, “The apostle directs Christian females to put on something not corruptible, that beautifies the soul, even the graces of God’s Holy Spirit. A true Christian’s chief care lies in right ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied ornaments or fashionable apparel“
What does it mean to have a quiet spirit (which, remember, is precious to God)? It doesn’t mean being a doormat. It doesn’t mean submission to anything and everything. It doesn’t mean being silent. It doesn’t mean being afraid to express a thought or an opinion. It does mean this, from Strong’s Greek:
Usage: The Greek adjective ἡσύχιος (hésuchios) conveys a sense of quietness, tranquility, or peacefulness. It is used in the New Testament to describe a demeanor or lifestyle characterized by calmness and a lack of disturbance. This term often implies a state of inner peace and composure, which is reflected in outward behavior.
In the midst of the storm around you, do you retain your composure? In the day-to-day, do you display self-control?
Strive to quell the turbulence of your spirit into a quiet and peaceful one. A tall order some days, I know, when the kids are yelling and the husband is grumpy…you tend to match energy. But that is the exact time to BE quiet and peaceful. Then they can match their energy to yours. It’s a comfort for a child to see such self-control in their parent. It’s a balm for a husband to see such peacableness in a wife when his day is full of the opposite. And, it’s a joy to strive to obtain something that Jesus finds precious.
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