1st Peter 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; 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. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves".....
This passage of scripture teaches us that it is not necessary for us to place a heavy emphasis on the outward adorning of the body, for what matters most is the inward adorning of the heart. It is true that we are to give due consideration to the care and appearance of the body, for this is a part of our Christian responsibility, and should in no case be neglected. But the adornment of the heart carries with it far greater consequences and effects, than all of the jewelry, trinkets, and bling that we so often display externally.
There are many who appear beautiful and well adorned on the outside, but when interfered with, reveal an uglier side that is studiously hidden from view by a veneer of so-called piety. Under normal circumstances, this darker side sits idly on the back burner, but when provoked by rude attitudes or disrespectful words spoken in anger by someone, it springs into life, and manifests itself in mixed up moods and attitudes.
Solomon found this out the hard way after he had violated the law of God in taking hundreds of wives to himself, and as he tried in vain to satisfy all of their needs at once. As the many wives and concubines interacted with one another on a daily basis in the same household, mutual jealousies and arguments sprung up from time to time, and some of them apparently adopted a permanent attitude of contention and divisiveness, that became as an open wound for the king, who was now forced to listen to hundreds of valid or arbitrary complaints, with no remedy or solution to offer. It was because of the daily arguments and contentions he was forced to deal with, that in his later years he wrote out what he had learned and observed over the course of his experiences, lessons and observations that would be pertinent to all future generations. Let's read:
Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
When The Holy Spirit is allowed to take full control of our hearts and minds, the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep us in those turbulent moments when tempers flare, and we are tempted to react to abuse in an unbecoming manner. In the heat of the moment we often utter words which we wish we could take back. But once they have been spoken, it becomes very difficult to undo the damage and alienation that accrues as a result. That's why we are under a sacred and moral obligation to keep our cool even when situations get out of hand, for God is more than able to keep us from making a mockery of religion, if we submit ourselves daily to Him.
In situations where we have to deal with someone who is unreasonable in their thinking and in their deportment, or who may be rash or harsh in verbal abuse heaped upon us for no reason, silence is always golden, and will go a long way in dispelling the frayed nerves and tempers that are often trigger points for the manifestation of greater evils. This scriptural counsel is to be especially observed between husbands and wives, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and in-laws and out-laws, because some of the worst outbursts of anger have historically taken place between members of the same family. Here is where the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is greatly needed, and if we are willing and humble enough, God will grant us the grace necessary to be victorious in every turbulent situation in which we may find ourselves.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to keep Christ ever before our mind's eye, so that we can follow in His footsteps in remaining calm under personal abuse. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!