Peace

Articles

Derek Long
12/01/18 - The Fruits of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit - Peace
By Derek Long
The fruit of the Spirit is described for us in Galatians
5:22-23. It says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” One characteristic of the fruit produced in the life of an individual who is walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, and living in the Spirit is peace (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25). Peace is something many people desire. People want peace in relationships with their fellow man. People want to be at peace with themselves. Peace in other areas of our life though ultimately springs out of having peace with God.
God’s plan for peace is different than the plan the world often follows to achieve peace. God’s plan for peace does not tell us to get back at or physically intimidate those who are our enemies. Instead we are taught, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). God’s plan for peace does not involve compromising the truth. God expects His people “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). God’s plan for peace is not for everyone to believe whatever they want to believe but for everyone to submit their thinking to His law. Ephesians 4 speaks of us “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (vs. 3). Then it reminds us, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (vs. 4-6). Unity and peace comes about when we are united on the teaching contained in God’s word.
The fruit of the Spirit involves peace with God.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God’s desire is for us to be in harmony with Him. Sin places us at enmity with God (Colossians 1:21). Wanting to be a friend of the world places us at enmity with God (James 4:4). Pride places us in a position where God resists us instead of a place of peace with God (James 4:6). The Spirit teaches us to put away sin, to no longer walk like the world walks, and to humble ourselves. The Spirit’s instruction when applied to our lives will lead us to be at peace with God.
The fruit of the Spirit involves us striving to be at peace, if possible, with our fellow man. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Christians should be the type of people who “pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Christians will learn how to control their anger which
leads to peace with others (Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:26-27, 31). Christians will learn how to control their tongue which leads to peace with others (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 15:1). Christians will learn to give preference to others which leads to peace with others (Romans 12:10). Christians who are constantly living in malice, strife, envy, hating, etc. are living like the old man (Titus 3:3) and not someone who has been renewed by the Spirit and His instruction.
The fruit of the Spirit should lead to peace with those we are close to. When a husband and a wife live according to the Spirit’s directions, they will have greater peace in that relationship. When a parent and a child live according to the Spirit’s directions, they will have greater peace in that relationship. When brethren live according to the Spirit’s directions, they will have greater peace in that relationship.
Are we at peace with God? Has our peace with God led us to have peace with others? If we are at enmity with God and others all the time, we are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit and need to make changes in our life.