What the Bible Teaches About Peace
Peace is one of the core values of Christianity. It is derived from a love for God and respect for fellow man. The Bible clearly emphasizes the importance of peace and several passages teach us what it looks like in action.
The Bible talks about peace in a variety of ways, including our personal relationships, our relationship with God, and our role in the world. Philippians 4:7 specifically states, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse and others make it clear how important peace is in our lives, and it is vital that we seek it through right relationship with God, our family, friends and the world.
The Bible also teaches us that peace is a universal ideal. In Isaiah 2:4, it says “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” This speaks to God’s desire for peace between all nations, and the significance of finding it in our relationships with one another.
As Christians, peace is an imperative. For example, Ephesians 4:3 instructs us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” We should strive to honor God and bring peace into every relationship, no matter our own feelings and opinions.
The Bible also speaks to how Christians should react to the brokenness of the world. We have an obligation to stand up for justice and righteousness and fight injustice, but our ultimate goal should be to seek peace. For example, Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We must stand firm and yet seek peace where possible.
The Role of Prayer in Find Peace
Prayer is a powerful way to gain peace in our lives, both through a deeper connection with God and a more meaningful understanding of his commands. According to 1 Peter 5:7, “…casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” In this way, prayer helps us release our worries and find peace in God’s presence.
The Bible also offers many scriptures and examples of individuals seeking peace through prayer. For instance, Psalm 4:8 says “In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” These examples tell us that prayer is an integral piece of the seeking and maintaining peace in our lives.
Prayer also shows us a pathway to peace between different nations and cultures. In Psalm 122:6-7, it states, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls and security within your citadels.’” This passage reminds us that we can strive for peace through our own prayers, even when it feels like a lost cause.
Ultimately, prayer is an essential part of our spiritual journey and understanding of peace. By abiding in God’s presence and praying for guidance, we are more likely to find the peace that God desires for us.
What the Bible Says About the Peace of God
The Bible also speaks to another type of peace—the peace of God. This peace is a supernatural peace that comes in knowing that God is in control of all situations. In John 14:27, Jesus speaks to this peace, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
God’s peace is the assurance that his love and his will will be accomplished. We can rely on his presence and protection, allowing us to cast all our anxieties and worries onto him. This is a peace that transcends earthly understanding and can only be found in the comfort of God’s grace.
Peace requires surrender, as we must put our trust in God and his promises for us. As it says in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” God’s peace is found in our complete and total trust and reliance upon him, so that we can go into every situation with joy, peace and faith.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that God desires peace in our lives—both internally and externally. He desires us to be at peace with ourselves, our decisions, and our purpose in life. He desires peace between nations, cultures and individuals, so that all may be united in a world without discord and war. Gain peace and understanding through scripture, prayer and a strong relationship with God and you will surely find it.
Learning To Live in Peace
Living in peace is a conscious effort that requires a deep understanding of the Bible and relationships between people. For example, Romans 14:19 tells us, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” It is imperative that we seek harmony between ourselves and others, and strive to bring peace into every situation.
Part of living in peace is also about being honest, humble and gracious even in difficult situations. We should be willing to compromise and to forgive others, even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12-14 states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This teaches us to approach difficult conversations with humility and to strive for understanding between each party.
Responding with love and grace is a way to maintain peace, even when it feels like the right thing to do. We should strive for peace in our words and actions, and even when our feelings aren’t the same as those around us, we can still seek resolution and understanding from a peaceful perspective.
Learning to live in peace is a life-long endeavor, and only by understanding our own feelings and those of others can we meet in the middle and seek meaningful understanding. It requires a deep respect for one another and compassionate communication in all situations. Let the Bible be your guide and remember that peace begins within each one of us and manifests in our words, actions and relationships.
Using the Bible to Find Inner and Outer Peace
The Bible is filled with stories, examples and teachings that shed light on how to attain both inner and outer peace. It tells us that we should not seek money or possessions as a basis for peace, but rather internal, lasting peace in relationship with God. As Deuteronomy 14:29 states, “And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, who are in your midst, shall come and eat and be satisfied, that YHWH your God may bless you in all the work of your hands which you do.” This illustrates how we can seek peace with possessions and relationships, instead of material wealth.
Striving for peace requires us to view both our successes and failures with humility and understanding. We should take the time to reflect on our own words and actions, and remember that real peace is found in our hearts, not in any possessions or accomplishments.
The Bible also gives us the framework to share the message of peace with others. Peace begins within all of us, and from that inner peace we can learn to share it with the world. As it states in Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” We are called to take this type of peace out into the world, with an understanding that God desires peace for all of us.
Seeking peace requires a balance of knowledge and trust, action and love. Every step we take towards understanding and ushering peace can be a blessing to ourselves, and the world. We should embrace the tools and teachings of the Bible and testify to its beauty in our own lives.
Bringing Peace into Your Life
Living out the peace that the Bible speaks of is a definite challenge. It can be difficult to practice peace with our families, friends and co-workers as life can throw us many curveballs. Fortunately, there are practical steps we can take to bring peace into our relationships and our lives.
First and foremost, we must begin within ourselves. We should take time to do a deep dive into our own minds and hearts to gain awareness and understanding of our feelings and motivations. We must then seek to resolve any issues in our hearts so that our relationships can be peaceful.
It is also important to practice mindful communication. As it states in James 1:19 “Every person must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” We should strive to communicate from a place of understanding and with a focus on connection and understanding.
Finally, we can practice patience and unconditional love for both ourselves and others. With patience, we can try to find understanding in others, even if it might take some time. This can be done by acting out of love and seeking to understand the other person’s perspective. Even in difficult conversations, we can strive to remain patient and nonjudgmental.
Finding and maintaining peace is a process, and it is up to us to use the teachings of the Bible and our own wisdom to create understanding and reconciliation in our lives. Through this, we can use the spirit of peace to permeate our relationships, our communities and our world.
