Not to make you paranoid, but you’re being watched! Believers who take their calling seriously can’t have a completely private life. We are called out of the shadows of a barricaded, boarded up, behind the scenes lifestyle and commissioned to be lights in a dark world. How we live and work reflects on the faith we profess to have. This is incentive for us to pursue any task with passion and excellence. A disciple therefore should have a spirit of excellence in all they do. We not only have the obligation to love one another but also to be good testimonies to the people of the world.
1 Thessalonians 4.11-12— “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
Everything we do sends a message to the world about the faith we have. Our conduct matters.
The verse says— “that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without”. The word “walk” is conduct in an honest manner (appropriately or properly). In this case: to conduct ourselves appropriately in front of others. We are to act and react differently, because we have Christ as our leader; the Holy Spirit as our guide, confidant, and comforter; and God as our Father. We need to act like where we come from. As my dad used to say— ‘remember who you belong to son’. Non-believers are always in view. They are watching our conduct every day and in every situation.
We then must— “study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands”. The phrase— “study to be quiet” is interesting. The word “study” is to be ambitious, or to strive. So as to say— ‘study at it, work hard at it’. The emphasis though is on: quiet-ness: an inner peace, a quiet disposition. The opposite is: agitated, excitable, restless. Strange isn’t it? Strive to be quiet. Or you could say ‘be ambitiously at peace’. Believers must make it their ambition to live in such a way that they project a quiet confidence in the God they serve. We are to live for Christ in such a way that our love and quiet confidence in Him will be a witness to the world around us of a tangible change! We should trust God to supply our needs—instead of fretting about every little thing. Sadly though, many Christians compartmentalize their faith. They never see the direct link between their faith and their daily activities. As Paul put it, Jesus is not a part of your life…Jesus is your life! “Christ, who is our life…” (Colossians 3.4). He is the reason for how we work; how we study; how we schedule our days. How we conduct our lives says much, about how we view our faith. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3.23-24). We confidently take our faith on vacation, to work, to school, in every area of our lives— because a poor testimony will adversely affect the ministry of, and the integrity of, the gospel.
Notice the statement— “do your own business”. Mind your own business! We are not like the world. The sordid details of others people’s lives and the latest tidbits of gossip should not concern us. But doesn’t that define so many churches?! It does nothing but generate conflict among Christians— and that is precisely what the enemy wants. Some live to stir up social unrest in the body, and worse, at work in front of unbelievers. Paul warned— “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4.5). This had to be re-warned to them in 2 Thessalonians 3.11— “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” They still didn’t mind their own business. Few things present a more distorted view of the Christian faith than a group of Christians who make it their business to get in everyone else’s business. Idle people spend their time interfering with the affairs of others and getting themselves and others into trouble. Makes sense then he said… “work with your own hands”. The greek culture looked down on manual labor, most of the work was done by servants and slaves. But Paul exalts it— he was a tentmaker and set an example of hard work before the Thessalonians in Acts 18. Our faith is a practical faith that goes to work with us. Work enables us to live with dignity and purpose. (Genesis 1.28; 2.15; 3.23; Psalm 8.4-8)
How we conduct ourselves, even when we work to make money and support ourselves and others— reflects a lot about our ability to do other things. My parents taught me to stand alone, self-start, and have a good work ethic. I can see now as an adult that it rolls itself into other areas of my life. Jesus questioned that in Luke 16.11— “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon…” (riches and belongings) “…who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (souls and ministry). Our unfaithfulness sets a benchmark for others to not expect anything else of us— including spiritual things. Paul rhetorically asked the Romans in 10.14— “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” The Gospel must be heard to be believed—and for it to be heard it must be proclaimed. But who is going to listen when our walk doesn’t match our talk?
Disciple, be mindful of this truth: Our conduct can distract someone from the Savior or it can attract someone to the Savior.