1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,  so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Recently, I been going through a new book by Trey Gowdy entitled, Doesn’t Hurt to Ask. It’s a book about using questions to persuade others, but the first half of the book deals with “what you need to know before you open your mouth.” He covers a lot of topics, but importantly he understands the need for sincerity and integrity when attempting to persuade others. If the person you’re attempting to persuade doesn’t trust you, you’ll never win them over.

I think that message is at the heart of what Paul is communicating in the verses above. He mentions their love for each other and encourages them to again love “more and more” and then describes how we should live with those outside the faith – “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,  so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

A quiet life doesn’t look to constantly stir up a fight.  A quiet life focuses on the work at hand. A quiet life wins the respect of others. A quiet life speaks loudly, doesn’t it?