In the sight of God of great price

1 Peter 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.

Few things are more valuable than this! It is in the sight of God of great price! This ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Now this passage speaks to women—how they are to honor their husbands, how they are to conduct themselves, etc. But we must all agree that this same principle is for every person, man or woman. If we call ourselves a child of the living God, it is in the sight of God of great price if we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner, with this meek and quiet spirit. We are not to be rambunctious, obnoxious, or obdurately stubborn. We are not to be loud, overly talkative, or drawing attention to ourselves. No! This is not the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. God is looking for women, yea, men also, who will show a deportment of gentleness, meekness, and mild-mannered-ness. That’s why the second epistle to Timothy calls it “shamefacedness and sobriety.” There is no woman so valuable, and no woman so wonderful as the woman with a meek and quiet spirit. She does not draw others’ gaze toward herself, neither does she seek to be heard. She is quiet. She is unassuming. She is gentle and peaceful. This woman is gorgeous! She is of exquisite beauty! There is none like her! And, my friend, a man who is gentle and wise and meek enough to employ these characteristics is a man of rare value just the same.

Here the apostle tells us that this beautiful spirit is the ornament which is not corruptible. You see, every chain of the neck, every bracelet, and every jewel is corruptible. Moth and rust doth corrupt it! It breaks, it decays, and it vanishes away one day. But the meek and quiet spirit endureth for ever! It is eternal! It reaps the dividends of the heavenly riches! That’s why our Savior said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.” This, Peter says, is the hidden man of the heart. There is an outward man or woman. That outward person may wear jewels and other beautifications, which can be very becoming when used appropriately. But that’s only the outward person. The inward is much more important. We should not neglect the outward, but certainly the inward must be tended to with much greater diligence and care! We must give attention to the heart! It must be a meek heart! It must be a godly heart! It must be a trusting heart! And if it is, the outward man will follow its lead and be beautiful also. Oh, may the Lord give us a meek and quiet spirit!

We are told here that this ornament—this meek and quiet spirit—is in the sight of God of great price. We usually wear jewels and apparel to be seen by others. But what of the sight of God? How does He see us? He sees the heart, and He sees the meek and quiet spirit. A meek and quiet spirit never seeks to be seen of men, but seeks to be seen of God, because to Him it is of great price. There is an outward man and there is an inward man. But today, let us give attention to the hidden man of the heart, that one that is in the sight of God of great price. Let us cultivate, on purpose, a meek and quiet spirit.

“Now, Father, we thank you for this lesson that you are teaching us. Help us to give our own life’s emphasis to the hidden man of the heart. This is what is truly valuable to you. May we be more concerned with your estimation of us than man’s acclamation of us. May we do all things for your glory. Give us this meek and quiet spirit, and please forgive us for drawing others’ attention to ourselves rather than to you. By your grace, may we be adorned with this most costly ornament. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”