Peace, Fruit of the Spirit

I am praying that the words and revelation I share with you today, will encourage and help you to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you more into the image of Christ. Colossians 3:10 (ESV), “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of it’s creator.”

Peace is our third fruit of the Spirit and focus for today’s blog post. Galatians 5:22, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace…”

In the movie, “Miss Congeniality”, all of the beauty pageant contestants were expected to answer (in a similar fashion) the question, “What do you want most?” The anticipated answer? “World peace!” Many, over the centuries have talked about achieving world peace through human effort. However, world peace through human effort is impossible. In fact, lasting peace of any kind cannot be achieved by human effort.

I have noticed in preparing this post, that many people have a flawed or inadequate understanding of the definition of ‘peace’. The word ‘peace’, translated from the Greek word eirene is used 92 times in the New Testament. The most commonly used meaning of eirene is: a state of rest, quietness, and calmness, an absence of strife, and tranquility. Interestingly, the definition of ‘peace’ in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is quite similar. It means: a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony between nations or governments. However, when we look at the Hebrew word used for ‘peace’ in the Old Testament, we find the word shalom. Shalom adds more depth to the meaning of the word ‘peace’ than we usually think about. Shalom means: completeness, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility and contentment.

We will discover that true peace can only be found in and given by God.

Jesus told His disciples (and us) in John 14:26 and 27 that the peace He gives is not like what the world gives. It is through the Holy Spirit or our “other Helper” that we receive the peace that is part of the nature of God. John 14: 16 and 17 (ESV), “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Jesus came so that we will have peace. Luke 1:78 and 79, “ Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." Then, when Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." We also see in Colossians 3: 15, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Remember what we have shared in previous posts: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all part of the triune God. There is only one God, however, He manifests Himself to His creation in three different ways. Those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior, are the body of Christ!

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

I really liked what I read in ourdailybread.org, The Hebrew for Prince of Peace is Shar Shalom, which means, “The One who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures peace.” Shar means: ruler, chief, or captain and shalom means: well being in all aspects of life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The main mission Jesus had in coming to the planet was, by His death, to make a way for us to be reconciled and have peace with God. Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Acts 10:36 reveals, “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel--that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

Sin (willful disobedience) hinders our relationship with God and destroys peace. Isaiah 59: 2a,7and 8 reads, “It's your sins that have cut you off from God…7 Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. 8 They don't know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace.”

We also read in Romans 8:5 and 6, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” The Scripture can not be any clearer. Sin destroys peace and leads to death.

God’s desire and will is that you have peace.

The way we attain His peace is to follow His way.

Psalm 119:165, “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” Psalm 85:8a, “I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.”

Having God’s peace in your life is not determined by the conditions you are in or facing. God’s peace is a fruit of the Spirit. For instance, even when we face grief, such as through the loss of a loved one, we can still have peace because the Spirit of God resides in us.

Even though, it is God’s will for us to have peace, there are times when we have to choose to let go of our anxieties and trust Him, in order to attain it. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV), “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” When you choose to keep your mind on the Lord, to focus on Him and trust Him, then He will keep you in perfect peace. The Hebrew word for the phrase ‘perfect peace’ is shalom.

Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV), “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

I read a true account of a woman who slept through the bombing of London, England during World War 2. When asked how she could do that, she quoted Psalm 4:8 (NKJV), “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

To close, I would like to pray this scriptural prayer over you. By faith, claim it for yourself as you read it.

2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”

A song has been written by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes called “Blessings” The Lord gave the priests these words to speak a blessing over His people. As you read it, receive it for yourself.

The ‘blessing’ is found in Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV), “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

God has wonderful things in mind for His children.

May you receive and walk in His peace today!

[ An addendum: In preparing these studies, as I have been pondering the fact that the fruit of the Spirit is the nature of God, it brought new revelation to what the angels spoke the night Christ was born. (Luke 2:14) They spoke, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace…” The God, Who is peace came to the earth! It wasn’t the angels saying they hoped we might all have some peace because Jesus had come. He is peace and He was literally here! Something neat to think about!]

Unless otherwise indicated, scriptures are taken from the New Living Translation

ESV English Standard Version

NKJV New King James Version

NIV New International Version