How do I live my life? Adults ask this question at every season of their lives. From the time a person becomes responsible for things like money, a house, a job, a car, family, their reputation, relationships, diet, and exercise, they begin to ask, How do I live my life?
In his Word, the Bible, God has given us all that we need to live godly lives—including answers to questions like this one!
We find an answer to this question in God’s Word, in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Here’s how it begins:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions. (ESV)
In short, in this one sentence, God commands us to pray, and says to do so specifically for our government, whatever form our government takes. Pray for your leaders, we are told.
Now, let’s consider the reason for this command. Why pray, especially for our government?
…That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:2 ESV)
There’s the answer to our question. First Timothy 2:1-2 tells us that God intends for us to live a peaceful and quiet life. Peaceful and quiet?! Does that surprise you? It surprised me.
Don’t we want to be loud about our faith in Jesus (Ephesians 6:19-20)? Restless until the world comes to know Jesus (Matthew 24:14)? Contending always for the sake of truth (Jude 1:3)? Taking a stand for all of Jesus’ commands (Mark 8:38)?
Peaceful and quiet isn’t all that impressive. “Peaceful and quiet” doesn’t make a splash or a scene. Peaceful and quiet people don’t draw much attention, and surely don’t have much of a platform for Jesus, do they?
If we want to know how to live, we would be wise to consider the one man who lived out God’s will perfectly—Jesus. When we look at Jesus’ life, do we see him living a peaceful and quiet life?
Jesus Lived a Peaceful and Quiet Life
Though it may not appear this way in every situation, overall, Jesus lived a peaceful and quiet life. He peacefully diffused disputes (Mark 3:4-5; Matthew 22:15-22), he spent time in solitary places (Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42), and he retreated from fame (John 6:15; Matthew 16:20; Luke 5:14; Luke 8:56). When falsely accused, he was silent (Matthew 27:14).
Even when Jesus was led to an unjust death, he uttered no complaint (Matthew 26:47-54). Though he healed many and raised the dead, he did so individual by individual (Mark 5:22-43). He worked miracles quietly (Mark 1:43-44; John 2:1-11).
And Jesus, who lived a short life, and at times refused the spotlight, is the most famous human to ever live! He changed the eternal trajectory of millions through his life and work. There is no person on earth of greater significance than Jesus.
One day he’ll toot his own horn—the greatest trumpet blast ever to be heard will break our atmosphere, and his kingdom will fully arrive (Learn about the Second Coming of Jesus). But that’s not the way he came at first (Luke 2:10-12). Loud and contentious is not the way he calls us to live. He calls us to live in peace and quiet, just like he did.
What Does It Mean to Be Peaceful and Quiet?
The thought of living a peaceful and quiet life may not appeal to you. You may have visions of moving slowly, living rurally, and never speaking your mind. A “peaceful and quiet life” may conjure in your mind a vision of life that’s weak and passionless.
But the “peace” and “quiet” in this passage are not opposed to passion or power. Let me explain.
How Do You Define a “Peaceful Life”?
Peace, we learn in the Bible, is a personal quality of God’s own Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It comes from him; it’s a character trait of his. The greatest force of power in the world is the very Spirit of God. He is the Great Miracle-Worker. He exercises power to change the human heart—even the hearts of kings—and he directs the course of history (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17). He authored the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21). He raises the dead (Romans 8:11). And one of his powers the world strives for but never seems to find is peace. Peace is truly a power, for it’s an attribute of the Spirit of God (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22).
Anyone can cause a ruckus. Anyone can breed contention. But to bring peace to a world of sin, sorrow, and suffering is truly a feat! Anyone can live in a frenzy. But to have a sound mind in crisis, a subdued spirit in conflict, and to have the power to make wars of all sorts cease (2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 46:9)? That’s power. That takes restraint and self-control—a steel spine in the midst of storm, sorrow, and suffering. The book of Proverbs contends that “whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32 ESV). In other words, it takes more power to restrain the human spirit than to express it—to make peace than to cause war.
How Do You Define a “Quiet Life”?
To live a quiet life isn’t easy either. Quiet here means meek. It’s one of the only attributes of Jesus we are expressly given in the Gospels (Matthew 11:29). Meek doesn’t mean weak. Meekness means strength under restraint—it’s the power to hold back.[1] Quietness is the ability to stifle your urge to shout, hush your own eager opinions, and be angry but not sin (Psalm 4:4; Ephesians 4:26-27).
Expression takes little effort. Restraint takes strength. Quietness of the sort the Bible describes in 1 Timothy 2:2 requires a sort of power.
Jesus is the most phenomenal example of meekness—this power under restraint. Look at Matthew’s description of the scene at Jesus’s unjust arrest:
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:47-54 NIV, emphasis added)
Notice first that Jesus responds peaceably in gentleness to one of his closest friends betraying him over to death. Then, Jesus restrains his other friend from responding to his unjust arrest with violence. Is all this due to some weak passivity on Jesus’ part? No. This passage exemplifies one of the mightiest restraints of human and divine power. Notice how Jesus says that thousands of angels are at his service. But he chooses to restrain his power to call on them out of determination to please God and follow God’s will.
And in the Gospel of John, which relays this same event, Jesus responds to Peter’s violence with these most courageous words: “Shall I not drink the cup [of suffering] the Father has given me?” (John 18:11 NIV). Jesus knew that it was the Father’s will for him go to the cross. And so, he peacefully and quietly submitted even to unjust suffering because of his love for the Father and his love for us. This wasn’t easy for Jesus. After sweating drops of blood and offering agonized prayers, Jesus set his face like a flint to quietly and peacefully submit to the cross (Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:7; Isaiah 50:7; Romans 5:8).
In the greatest act of love the world has ever known, Jesus laid aside his crown and his throne (Philippians 2:5-7). The Word of God fell silent when accused and he, the King of kings, willingly laid down his life for us (Matthew 26:63; John 10:17-18). His only loud cry was his last as he gave up his spirit in death and in love for all those he would save (Mark 15:37).
But that wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, breaking the power of sin and death in the lives of those who will trust him. Anyone who puts their trust in Jesus has a secure future prepared for them in heaven with Jesus forever and an inheritance that is “imperishable and unfading” (1 Corinthians 15:4; Romans 6:5-11; John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:4).
What does it look like, then, to live a peaceful and quiet life? Well, consider that question yourself. What would it look like for you to live peacefully and quietly, according to what these terms mean?
Living this way may prove harder than we imagine.
How Can We Live a Peaceful and Quiet Life?
A peaceful and quiet life is a contented life. What causes us to fret or make noise more than discontentment? When we fear insignificance or injustice, when we want to make a name for ourselves, when we want to ensure our “rights” are considered, when we are dissatisfied with life, when we long for more, and when we are generally unhappy—these are the times when we make noise and voice our complaints.
It is only those who are certain of their worth, content with their lot, and assured of the value of their work who can be peaceful and quiet. Peace and quiet accompany security.
For those of us who trust in Jesus, our lives are as secure as they could be! We have peace with God (Romans 5:1). God loves us, and nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39). We know that even the worst things that happen to us in this life will ultimately serve to strengthen our character and our relationship with God. Our experiences and struggles will be used by God for our good (Romans 8:28-30). We have a Father who cares for our every need (Matthew 6:30-33). And we know that when this life is over, eternity with God awaits us in a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no more sin and no more pain (Revelation 21:4).
As Psalm 37 tells us—those who are peaceful and quiet don’t “fret” but rest because of a promised inheritance they know is theirs. Their future is secure, and they trust God to deal with evil and to accomplish justice in the end.
So we can only live a peaceful and quiet life as God intends if we are content, but how can we become content? In a culture overwhelmed by the need for validation, attention, and the next best and greatest thing, what is it that enables us to live a peaceful and quiet life like our Savior, Jesus?
Humility and Contentment
What enables us to live a peaceful and quiet life is a proper perspective—given by God and enabled by his Spirit.
The perspective we need is a humble one. Do you remember the command of 1 Timothy 2:1? God tells us to pray. He tells us to pray for people in positions of authority. His charge here in 1 Timothy indicates that the way to live peacefully and quietly is to ask God to work in our government, rather than vying for our own way.
Much more could be said on this, and this point is secondary. What I am trying to say is this: to live a peaceful and quiet life, we must have the perspective that we are not the main actor in God’s plan for the world—Jesus is. Jesus Christ changes the world. He does so through us, through our ordinary living.
Consider William Wilberforce for example.[2] He helped abolish the slave-trade in England. What a feat! What a demonstration of Christ’s power through one man to bring peace to so many! How did he do it? Well, Wilberforce spent late nights awake writing thoughtful speeches to bring to British parliament. Day after day, he got dressed, walked with an upset stomach to the courthouse, and in the station God had set him, faithfully completed his work. Despite his shouting in court, do you see how “quiet” he was? He kept his contentions in the courthouse, and with the sword of his words fought year after year the unjust rule of government, but he did so according to his position and in submission to the government’s ways of operating. He burned no buildings, wore no cape, and took up no arms. Through this one man’s “peaceful” and “quiet” life, Jesus changed the world.
There is a world to be saved! Yes, and Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and sent his Spirit into the world to bring souls to him. It’s his job. You have only to be faithful: one conversation, one meal, one word, one text, one kind deed at a time. Live peacefully and quietly, fulfilling the greatest command to love God and love others in whatever spheres God has placed you. As you do, God will get his work done.
How Then Shall We Live?
God’s Word offers us a tender, shhhhh, when it comes to how we live our lives. He gives a gentle reminder: quit the frenzied, hurried, busied, anxious, fearful, noisy, fretful hum of trying to do and be much.
Jesus is speaking from his word in 1 Timothy 2:1-2—may we be quick to listen, and slow to speak. Jesus has the spotlight—point to him. Jesus is the hero—rejoice! Jesus is at work in the world—be at rest. Jesus will accomplish his will—hope in him. Jesus will have complete victory over darkness and evil in the end—sigh in relief. Jesus will bring all that is hidden in darkness into the light—set your mind at ease. Jesus will have the final word—trust in him.
Look at where God has placed you and live in that place with all the steadfast love and faithfulness you can muster by God’s power (Proverbs 3:3). Love well. Live your life with enjoyment of all that God has given you (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Do good to all, especially of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). For he has told you what is good; and what the Lord requires of you: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Believe That God Can Work Powerfully Through a Peaceful and Quiet Life
To close, let me share with you about a couple people who changed my world (and honestly the world at large) through their peaceful and quiet lives. I hope you will be inspired to also believe that God can work mightily through your peaceful and quiet life too.
The first person is C.S. Lewis. The Holy Spirit used his story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and specifically, the description of the character Aslan to help me finally understand the gospel. At seven years old, my life changed because many years ago one man in England thought he should close himself in his office and write a decent story.
The second person is Charles Spurgeon. Though he is identified as the “prince of preachers,” he would have called himself a pauper—often depressed, frequently sick, and poor for all the money he gave away.[3] And yet, I have had days changed by the devotional writing of Charles Spurgeon—maybe you have too. A preacher in my church preaches powerful messages today because of the great influence that Charles Spurgeon’s messages had on him. And how did those myriads of messages come to being? Spurgeon’s hand scribbled away hour after hour in solitude, with love for his people burning in his heart and love for the Word of God and Jesus his Lord driving him onward. He then would preach, week after week, at the church God called him to pastor.
In the quiet of homes, offices, libraries, fifth floors of universities, in in the intimate conversations between friends, and evening walks in solitude—this is where great power hides, unnoticed and unrecognized. Such power is also hidden in joyful parenting and in faithful, reliable labor, in the work being done on trucks on the highway or in airplanes in the sky or on boats on the sea. It shines through diligent service for others, of any kind. The works done in faith are what the Spirit delights to use to work major miracles. But he often does so quietly.
So how can you live your best life? Peacefully and quietly. Enjoy God, love others, and pray for Jesus to accomplish what we desire for the world. And as you do so, pray also for those in authority over your life.
Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)
As you do so, you may be tempted to believe the lie that living peacefully and quietly in obedience to Jesus makes no difference in the world. But remember God’s Word, that he “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV, emphasis added).
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Sources
[1] It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was ‘meek’ because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.
Source: https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001785
[2] All comments on William Wilberforce’s life come from the movie “Amazing Grace” (2006). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454776/
[3] See the Bibles.net page on Charles Spurgeon!