Delight and Be PEACE

Freedom from disturbance.

Sounds so nice, right? What we probably all wouldn’t give at some point or another is to be whisked away to a tranquil place – rid of any outside distractions, annoying noises, interruptions, you name it. Like being pulled out of New York City onto the beaches of Maui. Oh that sounds so lovely.

How nice would that be? All through history, we see examples from war after war of surrenders. Waving the white flag.

Peacemaking.

That’s what the definition means you know. Peace. According to Webster’s dictionary, it literally means, “freedom from, or the cessation of war.”

No matter a believer or unbeliever, there are always going to be battles and wars waging against us as we fight the good fight of faith and run towards the prize. Ephesians 6:12-13 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

As believers, the war we fight may not necessarily be evident and present in the flesh, but the enemy seeks to deceive and wage war against our hearts and our souls, our minds and our bodies.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

The biggest takeaway from that verse is not that Christ assigned to us an angel that is interested – but Jesus Christ Himself desires a personal, intimate relationship with us and to know every single part of who we are. However, this verse highlights something so specific. That God is a God of peace. Every identification of God, every name He is called, is in perfect context. He IS after all the Prince of peace. As believers, our souls will be awash with the peace of our Heavenly Father when every part of our life is surrendered to His authority and control.

However, when one aspect or area of our life is out from under the protection and refuge of His power and stronghold, we are distanced from knowing Him intimately. We can’t worship Him 100% when an aspect our life is not surrendered. Peace is the fruit of authority. And not just any authority – but the authority of Jesus. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule.” As the Prince of peace, Jesus brings and delivers His peace where He is prince.
As believers, we should have the desire and craving within our hearts to become more and more like Jesus. In that process, it is the act of being sanctified and washed anew with the blood of the Lamb and being made clean, rendered pure, consecrated and devoted – vessels set apart for a sacred use. Most importantly, God’s glory and our good go hand in hand.

Now…imagine a triangle, for a minute. I like triangles. But that’s beside the point…so if you like triangles, you’ll like this little mental image ;)

If the triangle is sitting on its base, each point will be labeled: body, soul or spirit. When the triangle is facing “upward”, the point in the direction of “up” will be the one in present control of us. Referring back to the verse in 1 Thessalonians, the soul represents our emotions, and our body is when we are letting our “appetites” become our master. In Beth Moore’s book, Praying God’s Word, she says the following: “Understand that one area exerts tremendous influence over the others.”

Imagine that! What we surround ourselves with will become what influences us. Your sphere of influence is crucial! However, the “point” is that victory is found when our Spirit is set apart and Christ is the One in control of our hearts. It represents the part of us that was created in the image of God and to enjoy and live in fellowship with Him.

Victory is not something claimed at one time. It is an everyday surrender, and well..maybe a dozen times a day kind of surrender. But when our bodies, our feelings, our personalities, and our spirits are being sanctified and given in complete surrender to the King, there is ultimate peace. The verse in 1 Thessalonians chapter five ends with the hope that He has called us, He is faithful, and He will do it. Victorious living is not an instant arrival. It is the constant pursuit of victory – until we have formed victorious habits.

Remember, the war we are fighting is not against the flesh, but against the enemy who fights for our hearts. Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Jesus desires to be the One in complete control over every aspect of our beings, and Colossians 3:15 encourages us to let the “Peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” The peace of Christ that is given freely through our completely and whole surrender to His authority is not like a vapor. It is eternal and lasting, because we are to take heart, for He has already overcome. He has already won. He is the God who invites us to dine at His table in the middle of the fight because He knows, He has already claimed the ultimate victory!

Ephesians 6:14 says, “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Satan wages war against us because he is terrified of the power of Christ when His peace is dwelling within our hearts. Romans 16:20 reminds us that the “God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

As we walk this flesh life, the flaming arrows of the enemy will be fighting against you and waging war against you, but we are encouraged that the God of PEACE, the One protecting and GUARDING our hearts will carry us through to the day of victory. He can’t fight the fight for us. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” And Philippians 4:7 encourages that the peace of God which surpasses all fleshly understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

Clothed in righteousness, truth, and the unfailing armor of our Creator, Heavenly Father, and ultimate Victor, we can run with faith, endurance, and hope – and there is true, lasting, and eternal peace. Because true peace is the cessation of war. And dear sisters, the war has already been won.

Emily Wall