QUIETNESS
Definition: Quietness of spirit results from having faith and trust in God, which engenders serenity, calmness and tranquility. It is the opposite of loudness, rashness, nervous talk or activity.
1. Quietness of spirit is strength of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Isaiah 30:15a For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
2. Quietness, meekness of spirit and manner is something that can be learned.
Psalm 131:2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
Isaiah 7:4a Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted.
Zephaniah 2:3a Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness.
1 Thessalonians 4:11a Study to be quiet. [See also 1 Timothy 2:1-3]
2 Thessalonians 3:11,12 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
James 1:19a Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.
3. The Lord blesses an atmosphere of quiet calmness.
Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
4. Quieting our spirits before the Lord shows that we expect Him to work in our behalf; it’s faith and trust.
Exodus 14:13a And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you to day.
Job 22:21 [One of Job’s friends exhorts:] Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Acts 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
Philippians 4:6,7 Be careful [anxious, worried] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15a And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
5. Fretting and operating in the energy of the flesh are futile and hinder you from doing things God’s way.
Psalm 37:7-9 [We can either choose to wait on the Lord’s leading, or fret and end up getting out of God’s will] Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 39:6a Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted [uptight] in vain.
Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.
Luke 10:38-42 [Mary quietly learned from Jesus, while Martha grew more and more busy until it even caused her to wrongly accuse the Lord and her sister] Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His Word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 12:25,26 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
6. Getting quiet before the Lord puts us in the position of being able to hear from Him and receive His instruction.
Numbers 9:8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
1 Samuel 3:7-10 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the Word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the Word of God.
1 Samuel 12:7 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteousActs of the Lord, which He did to you and to your fathers.
Job 37:14b Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Psalm 25:9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
Psalm 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. [See also Zechariah 2:13]
James 1:21b Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
7. Quietness of spirit, like peace of mind, comes from knowing that we’re doing our best to please the Lord and stay in His will.
2 Chronicles 20:30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
Psalm 37:37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Isaiah 32:17,18 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18 And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
