This morning, I woke up with the words that our enemy loves to kill, steal and destroy ringing in my ears. Yes, this happens often. I reflect and meditate on the words of Scripture often, maybe not as well or as often as I should, but I do. I was thinking about how we can recognize what is of Christ and what is of the enemy. In Christ there is life and peace, and in the enemy of our souls, there is decay, no peace, death, destruction. We can see this most in what WE produce.
Take a look at your life. Where is there worry? Where is there doubt? Where is there fear, or anger, or anguish, where there should be peace? See, Peace from God has nothing to do with your current situation. Peace from God happens in SPITE of your situation. It occurs when we give up control, when we cease seeking what we can get out of it, and fix our eyes on Jesus, and thank Him, yes, Thank Him for our circumstances, and His goodness in them.
In Christ, we can be in the middle of a battle, and yet the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, is guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. When we lack peace, our enemy is getting us to focus on externals. He wants us to focus on our situation, loneliness, what we’re not getting, that we are the ones who always have to give, and no one else gives back. These are all lies from the devil. Call them out! In Christ, we have life and peace. There is no despair in the presence of our King. It's not easy to give up control, but it is possible. The Peace of Christ only comes from surrender of it all.
John 14:25-31
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
John 16:31-33
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:4-13
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
