Peace part of the fruit of the spirit. Blog series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Take one part, per blog entry. This blog entry is on Peace.
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
What is peace?
According to Google this word has these meanings.
- Freedom from disturbances or disorder
- Quiet
- Tranquility
- Mental Calm
- Serenity
Number times used?
According to BibleGateway.com the word is used 249 times in the NIV and 420 times in the KJV. I also decided to check the Amplified Bible and it shows the word 419 times in the Bible. This includes the words peaceful, peacemakers and peacetime.
Bible Verses
Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you. (Job 22:21)
With peace comes prosperity.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
Trusting in God will allow us to come into peace. A great peace that we can sleep amongst all the turmoil that is going on. Even David fell asleep and trusted God despite the battle that was approaching. David knew God would take care of him. Jesus is another example, he was sound asleep on the boat while the disciples were in turmoil because of a storm. Jesus didn’t even bat an eye lash and commanded the storm to stop.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)
Having strength in the Lord helps us have peace because we know God will provide and take care of us. Only God can give us strength. He gives us the strength we need to do His Will.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:11)
Put away Evil
We are to put away evil, repent from evil, seek what is good and do good. Seek peace with one another and always pursue it. Be in unity with you fellow brothers and sister. Seek the things of God. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God AND His righteousness. It is a two-fold part. We must first. Note the word first. That means to put God first in all things. Not just some things. Plus we must seek after the righteousness of Christ. When we do this, we will want the things God wants. I believe that will give us a peace that passes all understanding.
In our Journeys
Many times in the Bible it is shown that people were sent out on journeys and they were to go in peace. When we go out on our journey, our journey to witness to others and share the Word of God, we are to go in peace. No matter where we go. God is always with us. Having God with us in our journeys can help us get through the toughest travels and obstacles we can face. We must listen to Him and Him alone.
I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. (Psalm 85:8)
Trust in God
When we listen to God and trust in God, we have peace. We will know that He will provide and care for us. He is the one that knows what is best for us. It is His way, not our way. Trust in Him and Him alone. God will see us through.
Brings Joy
Proverbs 12:20 shows us those who promote peace brings joy. Joy is another one of the Fruits of the Spirit. I already mentioned Joy in a previous post on the Fruit of the Spirit entitled Fruit of the Spirit: Joy. There is no greater joy than that the Lord gives us. This joy is only found in Jesus Christ.
Discipline Brings Peace
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. (Proverbs 29:17)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
Yes, the Bible tells us to discipline our children. I even have a post on what the Bible says about that. (Click here, to read about that) I think when we train our children up right and discipline them like we should in a God fearing way, then they will stay on the path toward God. If they get off the path, they will repent and come back into that path.
More Bible Verses
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus Christ is our Prince of Peace. He brought peace to everyone. One of the greatest scenes of peace He gave us is that He died for our sins. Acts 10:36 shares with us that the good news of peace is through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Way to live with everyone
The Bible tells us we are to live in peace with everyone. This depends on us, so we have the free will to make peace with everyone. So make peace with one another. Even Romans 14:19 tells us to make every effort to do what can lead to peace. Trusting in God will bring joy and peace, that joy and peace will bring hope and that is powered by the Holy Spirit, as Romans 15:13 shares with us. When we can be in unity or harmony with other people we can feel that security that God gives us.
If we allow the spirit to guide our minds, we will have peace and life. If we don’t we are going with the flesh and that causes death, as Romans 8:6 states.
Jesus Christ crushed the head of Satan on the Cross of Calvary. He will crush Satan right under our feet. The grace and peace of our Lord is with us. (See Romans 15:33 & Romans 16:20) God wants us to live in peace. God is not a God of disorder either. (See 1 Corinthians 7:15 & 1 Corinthians 14:33). Having our feet ready to defend Satan comes from the gospel of peace, which is part of the Armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:15)
Show everyone you are a child of God. Don’t be ashamed either!
Sources:
Check out the complete Fruit of the Spirit Series.
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