The peace of God is a gift available to you today. Jesus promised it, but He also taught that the peace that comes from God is different than the peace the world would offer. There is a difference and you need to be aware of it.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
I think it is so important to know the difference, because the peace of God is where you and I were designed to live. That domain of peace is where we can hear from God best and walk with clarity in the midst of trials, suffering and turbulent seasons.
When Jesus is talking about the “world,” it’s the Greek word that speaks of the collective kosmos of thinking that runs against the mindset of the Kingdom of God. It’s a mindset of peace that subtly seduces you into ways that never satisfy. Yet it can be very easy to fall into it’s patterns if we are not aware.
The world’s peace declares “peace” when it is actually not really there. So how can we become more discerning to walk in the true peace of God in these challenging days?
It may be helpful to let go of the world’s definition of peace, which I believe comes down to four main manifestations.
1. Declaring Peace While Ignoring God
Jeremiah prophesied the word of the Lord, calling out the fact that people were not hearing what God saying, nor were they interested in making changes in their life. Their delight was no longer in God.
Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it. Jeremiah 6:10b (NKJV)
Because of this, they were content to remain in sinful patterns they ignored and never dealt with. The system of the world seeks peace, while ignoring God and covering over their ways that need changing.
2. Declaring Peace While Ignoring Your Issues
The world declares “peace,” but have come under delusion and deception. While covetousness drives the heart of people and relationships are corrupt, they tell everyone that peace exists. They lie to themselves and everyone around them.
Everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:13-14 (NKJV)
One of the greatest manifestations of sin in the land is breakdown of relationships. People operate from sinful motives and no longer have a consciousness regarding it.
As a part of this delusion, there is a loss of sensitivity towards sin. Actions of wickedness can be committed towards others and no one even blushes over it.
We cannot expect true peace, while carrying a unrepentant heart towards the sin that contaminates our relationships.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Jeremiah 6:15 (NKJV)
3. Declaring Peace While Settling for Shallow Living
One of the byproducts of our fast-paced, success driven culture is that we are so quick to settle for very shallow lives. As long as money is flowing and things “look” great, we don’t deal with any of the deeper issues of the heart before God.
During the times of Ezekiel, the Lord brought a word of correction, exposing the prophets who claimed they were speaking for God. When in reality, they were speaking out of their own hearts that were not being formed by God.
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’” Ezekiel 13:1-2 (NKJV)
When you do not allow God to work on the deeper areas of your heart, you can end up settling for a shallow expression of faith. Your words of “peace” towards others have no power or sustaining fruit. Today’s culture needs to beware that we are feasting on a shallow journey that ignores the issues of the heart that we need to face.
When we dig deeper with God, we allow Him to work on our motives, not just our actions. We allow Him to heal brokeness from our history that is infecting our present. We face the toxic ways of thinking that need upgrading, rather than simply asking God to rescue us from our circumstances.
It’s irresponsible to declare peace while not leading people to deal with the issues of the heart that need maturing. You just end up putting cheap plaster on the wall, when a renovation work is actually necessary.
“Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar—say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down. Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?’ ” Ezekiel 13:10-12 (NKJV)
If we want to be prepared for the storms of our life, we have to make a decision now of cultivating a life of peace that comes out of living healed and free from the heart. The cheap plaster can give the wall a look of strength, without the reality of it being true.
So the question is, have you become content with shallow living? Are you more concerned with how you look than what’s really occurring in the heart?
4. Seeking for Peace Based on Circumstances
You can find the peace of the world influencing your thoughts when you find yourself scanning your circumstances to see if everything is “ok.” While this can provide temporary relief at times, it is a shallow foundation to stand upon.
If you check your bank account, the vibe of what people are saying about you and the absence of conflict as the primary gauge for measuring peace, you will be easily disappointed.
Because of this, we end up going from event to event, activity to activity to help us find peace. Our busy lives keep us from slowing down, stopping and letting God do an inside job of formulating His peace within us.
The peace of the world is built mostly upon fabricated structures of emotional and financial safety as well as habits of running towards various pleasures in order to numb inner pain, fear and brokenness.
The divine peace of God is not dependent upon the circumstances of life, nor does it require any man-made device to help in its sustainment.
It is also important to note that true peace will not always just fall on your lap. Many times peace needs to be intentionally received by saying “yes” to it and taking in that peace. By faith, we breathe in peace from the Prince of Peace; the author of peace who has overcome the world.
I believe you can take back your peace today. It’s not based on your circumstances. In fact, the peace of God defies circumstances and stands above them. I find that I just need some practice, to grow and expand my connection to that peace.
I invite you to settle your heart before God; allow your mind to tune down the voices that are calling for your attention and breathe in the peace of God. Release your cares, worry and anger to Him and watch the peace that He ushers into your heart.
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