Peace is the one thing that we all desire. Whether it is at home, school, or work. We all want to live a life filled with tranquility. However, this peace is hard to obtain unless we shut out the world. Which is near impossible based on our day-to-day activities. Finding limited peace can be found in escaping into a book, watching a movie, or participating in an event. Let’s explore what God says in the Bible and the verses of peace found within its passages.
But how can we obtain true peace? Is that even available with all the mental stress we face daily at home, school, and work? What is the peace that the Bible speaks of and even promises? Can peace be found in a world filled with evil?
The Bible and the Verses of Peace
The word peace appears in the Bible about 329 times starting in the Old Testament and ending in the New Testament. In the Old Testament peace was conditional. It was based on the Israelite’s willingness to follow God’s will. It was a covenant God made with His people.
I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. Leviticus 26:6 NIV
God gave the Israelites a list of basic dos and don’ts so that they could live in the land in true peace. However, in their rebellion, they shunned God’s commands and did what was right in their own eyes. The Israelites believed they could do as they pleased since they did not have a King ruling over them. They conveniently forgot that the God who was their king and that God’s word was the rule of the land.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 17:6 NIV
God and the Verses of Peace
God only wants the best for us. This includes a life filled with joy and peace. God only asks that we keep our minds on Him and trust His word to be true. After creating mankind and all that lives in the world God then began to teach His people to live in peace with Him. When mankind began to sin against God, He began asking His people to remain with Him or to return to Him. God is the Lord of peace, and He requires us to live our lives trusting in His goodness. The Book of Isaiah is all about God’s desire to live in peace with mankind. However, God’s people opted to live in mental stress rather than perfect peace with God.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3.
Jesus and the Verses of Peace
In the New Testament, Christ Jesus promises us peace but not the world’s peace. Jesus, the prince of peace promises God’s peace. However, this peace was based on the children of God believing in the new covenant. A covenant based on believing in Jesus and becoming born-again children of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we would become new creations in Christ. The true peace promised by Jesus was based on keeping our focus on God. Therefore, bring all your issues and concerns to God. Pray about it first before you talk about it with others. Jesus has overcome all the sins of the world.
Therefore, the peace that Jesus offers us comes from the understanding that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the debt for every sin against God. This Peace is based on our belief in Christ’s death and resurrection.
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 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
The Holy Spirit and the Verses of Peace
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to guide us, teach us, and remind us of all the things Jesus wants us to know from God’s word. Hence, real peace comes from the truth given by our Savior. Human beings are called to guard our own hearts. We are called to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit so as not to seek the gratification of the flesh. When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Walking in Peace
With all that the world presents to us daily, it may appear to be impossible to live in peace. The constant demands from our family, friends, co-workers, and strangers can overwhelm us on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes the storms of life can be debilitating, causing us to experience hard times. When we experience financial or health problems or crises with our children it is hard to feel God’s unfailing love. Also, the news on TV and the internet is filled with stories of murder and hate. The world’s peace seems to be only a dream. God’s people must seek the Kingdom of God for Biblical peace.
Hence, the God of hope is the only one that can help us find our inner peace. We should strive to spend time with our Mighty God daily. There is nothing that he is not able to help us with. Therefore, before you start your day pray for God to go before you to give you His great peace. This type of peace is beyond our understanding, but you will feel it in your soul. It will improve your peace of mind so that you can go about your day filled with the joy of the Lord.
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
Being a Peace Maker
There will be times when the Holy Spirit will guide you to be the peacemaker. We are called to live in peace with others. We must find a way to de-escalate situations when we find ourselves in dispute with others. Most times if we simply agree to disagree that can diffuse the situation. Often, we may have to walk away and have this conversation another time. Hence, temporary peace is just as important as permanent peace.
Living in Peace with others sometimes requires us to make many compromises. This does not mean that we compromise our own peace. It means that we seek answers within the Holy Bible and allow God to speak to us. We let the Holy Spirit work within us to move us in the direction of God’s promise of peace. Sometimes we must let go of our anger so that we can see things from a different point of view. God has taught me that my way is not always right and if I wish to have a long life I cannot live in daily conflict with others. Hence, I always try to resolve issues instead of letting my anger take hold. It means I must learn to discuss issues while remaining open to another point of view. Sometimes I need to give myself time to reflect on the entire situation by viewing it from various angles. Therefore, I will take a moment to pause to make every effort to determine if I am at fault in order to correct my actions.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV
But Your Tone…
Finally, we must be ever mindful of our tone and how we are presenting our side of the argument. We should be able to express our views without tearing down the other person. In our zeal to prove we are right; we must not trample on the feelings of others. This is an example of being good and faithful servants of God. This is especially important when you are sharing the word of God and using Bible quotes. Be mindful of beating someone up with scriptures. Therefore, you should always be mindful of how the person is receiving your message. If you find yourself becoming angry you have lost the battle to the devil. He now has a hold on you, and you are only pushing the person further away rather than toward a peaceful resolution.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV
New Creation
Even though we may be a new creation in Christ we still have a way to go in our walk to obtain the blessings of peace. However, we must realize that true peace lies in our eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Rise above. Don’t allow someone’s anger or negative actions to prevent you from living in peace. Remember you may not be able to control their actions, but you can certainly control yours.
Steps To Remain In Peace
- Read your Bibles daily.
- Spend time with the Lord in prayer.
- Allow the Lord to Speak to you.
- Be led by the Holy Spirit
- Try to avoid conflict with others.
- Do not let your anger take hold of you.
- Take a moment to walk away from the situation to gain clarity.
- Attempt to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.
- Avoid allowing the devil taking hold of you and the situation.