THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS…PEACE

And the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…PEACE…” (Gal.5:22). Peace – Shalom – is that tranquil rest of the mind irrespective of surrounding circumstances. It is the quiet confidence of the soul that is anchored on God, amidst the stormy winds of the darkest night (Psa.46:2-5). The Lord Jesus Christ, the Commander of Storms, is also the Author of Peace. On an occasion of turbulence at sea, “He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “PEACE BE STILL!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mk.4:39). His Spirit in you will produce the fruit of Peace that’ll silence every storm.

We live in tough, turbulent and trying times, when Peace is an absolute necessity! Many hearts are filled with anxiety, fretfulness, perplexity, and worry. God is the Source and “God of Peace” (Rom.16:20). Right in the storms, down-turns, turmoil, and troubles, God wants to demonstrate His Peace in the hearts and lives of His children. Apart from Him, you could never experience true peace. As you live in Christ Jesus, His peace will guard your heart and mind (Phil.4:6-7). Such peace surpasses human comprehension; it smiles through storms and prevails over the severest of pressures and pain.

Perfect Peace – Shalom Shalom – is Possible in God. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” The discipline of peace is a steadfast mind. The secret of peace is a heart that totally trusts in God (Isa.26:3-4). The Lord blesses His people with peace (Psa.29:11b). Peace in the Bible is associated with being in harmony with God (Rom.5:1). Shalom stands for completeness, wholeness, health, soundness, tranquillity, rest and absence of agitation. It does not imply inactivity or passiveness. Rather, it is God working out His Will in order to bring a blessed balance, calmness, order, and structure into your life.

Jesus Christ personifies Peace. He is the Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6). His birth ushered in realms of Peace (Lk.2:14). He says, “PEACE I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (Jh.14:27). The Holy Spirit is the Administrator of this Jesus-kind of peace (Rom.14:17). You must be rooted in God’s Word and in His Spirit. The world and its earthly resources can never guarantee peace. At best, they’ll offer a temporary fix from anxiety. Jesus is the Author of Peace: “These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you might have PEACE. In the world you shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jh. 16:33). The Peace of the Lord will make you an Overcomer. The Lord of peace will give you peace always by all means (2The.3:16).