Hidden man of the heart

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 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.

Our adorning is to be that of the HIDDEN man of the HEART.
The hidden man of the heart that IS NOT corruptible.
A MEEK and QUIET spirit.

How many of us possess such a spirit? Meek and quiet? People call them timid and in need of coming out of their shells. People want these meek and quiet ones to stand up for themselves, to NOT take any and everything from others. They want them to grow a backbone, to 'man up', to get a spine, and so on. To be meek and quiet is not something that is acceptable for the most part. Those who are domineering like to stomp on those who are meek and quiet. They like to make them their 'subjects' in a manner of speaking.

We are to adorn ourselves with the ornament of meekness, the ornament of a quiet spirit.

Meekness-
Definition 1. mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness. Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that he is using them to purify his elect, and that he will deliver his elect in his time. (Isa_41:17, Luk_18:1-14)

Amazing and wonderful isn't it? Meekness is our disposition being one that accepts God's dealing with us NO MATTER what- no resisting, no disputing, no questioning God and His plans.

This part- 'meekness towards evil people knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict- that HE is using them to PURIFY his elect, AND that HE will deliver HIS elect in HIS time.' It's amazing isn't it? The MEEK, the QUIET in spirit KNOW this and BELIEVE this. The meek and quiet live knowing that God's will in all things is best even when we suffer horrifically.

If we live adorning our spirit rather than our bodies, if we live adorning our spirit rather than our flesh selves- then we are truly living for God and His love.

There is truly something to be said for those monks and such who take vows of meekness, of self-sacrifice, of silence, of deprivation of the flesh needs, the carnal desires. Seriously, there is something to be said for them. Those who have abandoned the materialistic way of life and live simply. Those who live off the land through hard work and much sacrifice. Those who devote themselves to God fully, wholly. Yet the majority of us don't do that, do we? We don't feel we can and maybe we can't. Maybe our walk with God, our path is to travel down a road that isn't one like that but rather to be in and among the world knowing the world and STILL being God's, is that possible? To be meek among the world, to be quiet among the awful, loud noise of the world. Rather than all of us having to take ourselves out of the world to the quietness, perhaps some have to stay in the world and live in the noise and be quite.

'...if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.'

Being won by God because of the witness of the meekness, the chasteness, the quietness. Rather than conform to the loudness, the outgoingness, the vulgar reality of our world remaining God's through the fear, the knowledge, the chasteness, quiet, and meekness. By the grace of God we need to be HIS fully, knowing whatever walk we are called to that we CAN be His and HIS alone. We can't be afraid to be meek and quiet, we can't be conformed to the world. By HIS GRACE!

1Pe 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.

Hidden man of the heart.

Not corruptible.

A meek and quiet spirit.

Which is in the sight of GOD of great price.

God does not wish blood sacrifice, God does not wish us to put on an outward show with rituals and such. God would have us meek and quiet in spirit - this is what God wants of us. He wants us trusting wholly in Him no matter what…no…matter…what.

By HIS grace!
His LOVE!

Amen.