Quietness in Demeanor

Richard Hollerman

As we know, all Christians (including males) are commanded to be quiet in their speech and demeanor. Paul says that prayers are to be offered “for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). Vine says that this refers to “tranquility arising from without” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

Vine also says that the Greek hesuchios has “much the same meaning,” but “indicates ‘tranquility arising from within’” “causing no disturbance to others.” It is also translated “quiet” in 1 Peter 3:4 where it is “to characterize the spirit or disposition” (Ibid.). Further, hesuchazo means “to be still, to live quietly.” We might also note that hesuchia “denotes ‘quietness’” in 2 Thessalonians 3:12. See also 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

This shows that we all are to have a “quiet” demeanor or disposition. Yes, there will be times when we must lift our voices but, generally speaking, this should be seldom and only for unusual circumstances. The above shows that we are to be “quiet” in general and are to promote tranquility. We might remember that women are to “quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness” (1 Timothy 2:11). Does this describe you? Do you “quietly” receive (not give) instruction? Men, do you have an attitude so that you are ambitions to “lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)?

Whether you are a man or a woman (a brother or sister), let us lay aside the tendency to be loud and adopt the attitude of quietness. Notice some of the synonyms for these words: “silence, soft, gentle, peace, peaceful, stillness, tranquil, tranquility. And antonyms would include: rouse, loud, piercing, raucous, and boisterous. I suppose that you could add more to such a list, looking at synonyms and antonyms. Let this describe you-whether you are a man or woman. Be quiet, gentle, peaceful, and tranquil. On the other hand, do not be loud, piercing, and boisterous.

For example, how do you answer the phone? Do people know that you are a person of peace by your voice? Do they know that you don’t have a spirit of loudness? Do they notice that you are governed by your inner spirit, one that is filled with spiritual qualities? Do they automatically know, from the tone of your voice, that you seek to be of a sweet, kind, and peaceful disposition? Or do you give a different feeling in people? Do they hear a spirit of boisterousness and noise?

Let’s seek to be filled with God’s Spirit and not with the spirit of the evil one. Someone wrote that hell will be a place of constant noise. This may be true. Let it not be true of us. Be a quiet person. Refuse to be a loud person.