A Woman of God

I pray often for God to “cover my mouth”. There are things that just should remain thoughts and even more thoughts that should be “taken captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)”.

Isn’t this a struggle? Our minds race or we want to tell someone our side of the story? That part is easy. Knowing when to not say something is the struggle.

Proverbs 29:20 says “Do you see someone that speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Whoa…. So not only do we need to take our thoughts to the Lord…. And watch what we say… but we also need to watch our timing too? Yup!!!

The good news is, when we pray and ask for God’s help in this, He will help us! This is part of the process of sanctification and will be a process we are constantly learning and refining, with God’s help. His desire is that this becomes a character quality. This is actually a Fruit of the Spirit… patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control…

Paul also calls us to this as women. 1 Peter 3 shows an example of this… Paul addresses what it means for husbands to observe a “pure, reverent life”. The beginning of this chapter, I could write a whole post on so I will save that for another day… I want to focus on v. 3 & 4 today.

It says, “don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry, but rather what is inside the heart – the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

He is saying… don’t be so focused or concerned about “what you put on” but on your character. Hmmm… this sounds familiar… Matthew 6:26 says something similar… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes.”

So what do we focus on? We focus on God. We read the Word and we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we keep our hearts “blameless”, the Fruit of the Spirit can be seen. Our mouths stay closed when what we want to say isn’t helpful or fruitful. It’s easier to hold our unhealthy thoughts captive. We know when it’s prudent to speak or when we should not.

“A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his here. An evil person produces evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. (Luke 6:45).

In 1 Peter, “gentle and quiet spirit” is a heart disposition, not a character trait. When our heart is postured to the Lord and we let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and words, He sanctifies us to live this way. “Gentle” is not “meekness”. This is meant to imply “self-restraint” which is power under control. (Hmm… self-control?)

Gentle is power? Power under the control of God and humility. It is a humble gentleness that is not self-asserting or dominating but that submits ti the guidance of the Spirit.

What about “quiet”? Quiet does not mean low volume or no words at all. It refers to a peaceful disposition. It implies an inner working of God that is at rest, even when circumstances are difficult.

So my dear sisters, we do not have to do this on our own. The Holy Spirit working within us is how we grow in this… not by our own efforts. Thank goodness!

Heavenly Father, please help me grow in my “gentle and quiet spirit” through the sanctification of the Holy Spirt. Take my inappropriate thoughts captive, cover my mouth, and let the overflow of my heart be from a place that shows the fruit of the Spirit and not my own flesh. Help me to speak up for justice when you are warranting and help me to patiently wait for your timing when you are still preparing my words and actions. Don’t let me speak too soon so that my words fall short or become those of a fool. Thank you for the work you are doing in my heart. In your name I pray, Amen.