Bible passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”
I appreciate Bible passages that provide clear instructions on how Christians should live. The passage above is one such gem that I’d like to discuss today. It highlights three key characteristics that we should strive to embody.
Cultivating a Quiet life:
The call to live a quiet life is not a call to isolation or antisocial behaviour; instead, it encourages us to lead a peaceful life. The Bible emphasises peace in two facets: peace with others and inner peace. To find peace within yourself means remaining unshaken in the midst of challenges, being firmly rooted in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7). For more on this check out my previous post “Why peace?“. Continuously experiencing God’s peace, regardless of external circumstances, can significantly benefit you. Moreover, living in peace amid adversity is so uncommon in our society that it captures the attention of those around you, possibly leading them to seek the God of peace you serve.
Equally crucial is the pursuit of peace with others, with Jesus affirming that peacemakers will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). The Bible goes a step further, offering practical insights on how to foster peace with others, such as turning the other cheek when wronged (Matthew 5:38-40), displaying kindness instead of seeking vengeance (Romans 12:19-21), and avoiding needless arguments, as beautifully articulated in 2 Timothy 2:23-24.
Minding your own business:
This characteristic complements the pursuit of peace with others. In fact, one might argue that to maintain peace with others, we must first learn to mind our own business. This doesn’t mean refusing to assist those in need or declining to offer advice when it’s sought. Instead, it cautions against indulging in gossip and meddling in other people’s affairs without their consent. Social media has made it increasingly challenging to stay out of others’ business, and gossip has become an unfortunate norm within many social circles, whether at work, school or even church. However, these actions are not under God’s standards and convey misleading messages to believers and non-believers alike. Consider how you’d feel if you overheard a group gossiping about you. In light of this, it’s advisable to follow Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 7:12: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
Diligent Work with Your Hands:
The final characteristic involves engaging in productive work with your hands. This means working to provide for your needs rather than relying on the generosity of others. Freeloading is universally unappealing, and the Bible strongly condemns such behaviour, frequently emphasising this in Proverbs. For example, Proverbs 18:9 likens a lazy person to someone who is destructive. Furthermore, Proverbs 10:26 says that lazy individuals irritate their employers like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
It’s important to recognise that these characteristics, despite their potential challenges, ultimately work to our benefit, (1 Thessalonians 4:12). Therefore, I encourage you to adopt these principles, knowing that you can achieve them with guidance from the Holy Spirit. In doing so, you’ll experience the blessings that come with them.
