QUIET GRACE

One quality that will make God and those around you treat you with honour and dignity is quiet grace. A person with quiet grace is someone who is restful, in control, whose life is free from anger and impatience. It is someone who has containment and contentment; whose life is free from contentions and has confident rest. 1 Peter 3: 3-4 says, ‘Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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.’ A person with quiet grace is someone who has a disposition to listen to instructions and does not enjoy conflict. James 1:19-20 says, ‘My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.’

Are you of a quiet and peaceful disposition? Do people sense this spirit around you? Some people try to mechanize it while some interiorize their feelings so they could appear quiet. But here God is talking about the inner qualities of a gentle and quiet spirit. Most men will want to have a woman or wife that has a quiet and gentle spirit. Proverbs 21:9 says, ‘Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.’ Every woman too wants a man who is peaceful, who doesn’t micro-manage, who does not take up issues on everything; who is quiet, strong and loving.

The Bible calls it a spirit. It is the spirit of God in us. Jesus says in Matthew 5:9, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.’ The Bible says of Jesus, ‘He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice’ (Isaiah 42:2-3). If Jesus was to live in your house, I believe it will take time to force words from His mouth. Can you strive to be like Him? He said, ‘Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’ (Matthew 11:29).

TO HAVE QUIET GRACE

1. GIVE ROOM TO THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY GHOST
For you to maintain a quiet disposition, you must give room to the control of the Holy Ghost. You must determine that the Holy Ghost must rule your life; that you will not shut the inner voice that tends to control your anger. You must resolve that between your brain and your mouth you will put a check. You will not be quick to answer, you will pause and submit to the leading of the Holy Ghost. Jesus says, ‘But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you’ (John 16:13-14 NIV). And Romans 8:14 says, ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God’ (KJV).

2. NEVER ALLOW THE ENEMY TO ROB YOU OF THE PEACE GOD HAS GIVEN YOU.
One thing that kills your peace and quietness is when you live a life of sin. If you don’t know Christ or involved with the work of Christ, then you may live as you like. But if you are in Christ and you are living outside godly principles, then you are torturing yourself. It is only a matter of time before you are uncovered. Why risk it? The foundation of God is righteousness. Colossians 3:6 says, ‘Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.’ One of the most important decision you must make is not to touch the unclean thing. Separation is the essence of sanctification. No one can hold the mystery of God in iniquity. Moreover, you won’t have peace. Decide today to give your body and humanity respect. Much more than that, fear the Lord and honour Him in your body.

3. BE CAREFUL OF WRATH OR ANGER
The moment you are angry, don’t do anything. Don’t talk about it, don’t defend yourself; just leave it because anything you say will not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 says, ‘So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.’ (NKJV). Anger impulses do not achieve any goal. Before you get angry, preface your words with gentleness. When angry, quieten your soul. For now, don’t reply.

FOLLOW THE WARNINGS OF GOD
Friendship with the world is enmity against God (James 4:4). There is a warning that God gives you; yield to this warning. To have a quiet spirit, receive the word of God with meekness. James 1:21 says, ‘Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.’ Yield to the inner workings of the Holy Ghost. Submit to the authorities around you. Follow peace at all times. You can win all the battles in life and lose the war. You can win the arguments but lose your peace. James 3: 10 say, ‘Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.’ Don’t use your tongue unwisely.

Finally, ask God to give you a quiet grace. You get more things done when you have a quiet disposition. Ask God to cleanse you of every filthiness and give you inner peace. I pray the Lord will help you to only speak in season and let your words be fitly spoken.