A Tranquil and Quiet Life

by Stephen Bastin

contact writer

Considering the present state of our world, a quiet and tranquil life seems so far beyond the possible as to be an “impossible dream.”  Yet Paul advises Christians to pray for such.  “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

I have known people who do not want a tranquil and quiet life.  If there is no trouble then they will stir up trouble.  Some people just seem to be born troublemakers.  Yet that is not quite true either.  One learns to be a troublemaker just as one can learn to be a peacemaker.

We certainly live in a world filled with troublemakers.  Much has been said and written about why certain Muslims attacked our buildings killing innocent people.  I have no answers as to why they did that.  Certainly they felt justified in their attack.  People are constantly ready to justify their actions, whatever they might be!

On a smaller scale, attacks take place daily.  A husband comes home and beats up his wife.  Someone shoots another person.  A fight breaks out in a bar.  Another takes his neighbor to court and sues him for everything he is worth.

All of these and many more are examples of the kind of violence that is daily carried out among our fellow citizens.  Because they are on a small scale and do not involve us (usually) we take no particular notice except to watch the evening news.

As long as I simply describe the problem no one takes any great offense.  However, I do not mean to merely describe.  I have a solution, or rather, God has a solution.

The solution begins with prayer.  It is a specific prayer.  It is for our leaders and all who are in authority.  The prayer is that they might govern in such a way that we will be able to lead tranquil and quiet lives.  That means they must make decisions against war in most cases.

Wars have been fought to “end all wars.”  They did not accomplish that.  Other wars have followed.  Wars only satisfy the victors.  Most nations become sore losers and the violence continues.  War is seldom a solution.  It simply begets more violence.

When the mob came to arrest Jesus, Peter attempted to defend him with a sword.  Swinging wildly Peter succeeded in lopping off the ear of one of the High Priest’s servants.  Jesus healed the ear and said to Peter, “Put up your sword.  They that take the sword shall die by the sword.”  The Bible does not tell us of another time that Peter used a sword.  James, one of the apostles, was killed by the sword of Herod and Peter was arrested following that.  He did not defend himself against the agitation of unbelievers.

Later, Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.  For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

But what is the “right” that followers of Jesus are to do?  What does one who seeks to live a tranquil and quiet life do when attacked?

First of all, there is the nature of the attack.  Is it with words or is it a physical attack?  The answers are radically different for verbal and physical attacks.

When Jesus was attacked verbally, often he answered.  Sometimes he remained quiet and other times he responded, so there is no one way that is right in answering verbal attacks.  There are wrong ways to respond, but it is not always wrong to respond.  A kind, reasonable, considerate response that is motivated by love may be appropriate.  If that cannot be done, then there should be no response.

If a verbal attack is in response to some wrong you have committed there is a very simple response required.  “I’m sorry” will be enough; no trying to explain, no justification; just, “I’m sorry.”  Perhaps later there might be an opportunity to explain, but at the moment just say you are sorry.

The matter is much more difficult in the case of a physical attack.  Many hold the view that a physical response is necessary in order to deter the attacker.  There is no doubt that such can be very effective.  If someone attacks me and I beat him to a pulp, he is not likely to attack me again.  On the other hand, that does not make the retaliation right.  Only God can justify one’s actions.  The end does not justify the means.  God justifies the means.

There is also no question that from a legal standpoint it can often be right to use force in resisting force.  If someone breaks into your home with a gun the law will justify the use of a gun in defending yourself.  Still, that does not necessarily mean that God approves of such conduct.  (The government may not approve of your conduct either.)

The Bible presents a conflict between the spirit and the flesh.  The flesh leads us to do things that are contrary to the will of God.  The spirit leads us to do things that please God.  There is a war waged inside of each of us.  Sometimes the flesh wins; sometimes the spirit wins.

Determining one’s response to a physical assault brings the conflict into sharp relief.  Either the spirit will win or the flesh.  If we do what we feel like doing, we are following the flesh.  If we are doing what God wants us to do, we are following the spirit.

Having said all that, here is the answer that Jesus gave:  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

Will Jesus’ plan work.  Yes.  Do you mean will it stop the evil doer?  Maybe.  The point is not to stop the evil doer but to be, yourself, one who does the will of God.  That is the way to a tranquil and quiet life.

Any other course will lead to an unknown conclusion with the attacker.  God’s plan will lead to peace with Him.  Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus then went to the cross and died that we might have peace with God.  With that assured we may live a quiet and tranquil life regardless of what others may do.