Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Hearts • Deshen Daily

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful (Colossians 3:15 KJV)

Peace is one of the gracious blessings lavished upon us in Christ. Besides the tranquility of heart it grants us, this peace has another fascinating role: it is an umpire.

Most scholars agree that the original text read “peace of Christ,” not “peace of God,” as in the KJV. This is that peace Jesus bestowed on the disciples saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 KJV)

This peace—the one that comes from Christ—brings a blessed stillness, assurance, and calmness of heart.

God’s peace rules in our hearts. The Greek word translated rule means to be an umpire, a concept borrowed from athletics; the sense is that Christ’s peace in our hearts is “to be the factor determining an outcome (as if arbitrating).” But what does this peace arbitrate? It referees the inclinations, decisions, tendencies, or choices of the heart: the emotions, thoughts, motivations, and desires which lead to words and actions. Christ’s peace is one agency of divine leading.

If you want to do something and lose that peace, it might be a sign that you’re getting outside of God’s will. Let Christ’s peace be the umpire or referee in your heart.

Meditate

Why does Christ’s peace rule or guide us in God’s will? Can we have peace when we are outside of God’s will?

Apply the Word

Are you struggling with a decision, not knowing God’s will? I have somewhere for you to start; look inside, look in your heart and see if Christ’s peace is there. That peace might be God’s only voice to tell you that you are making the wrong choice. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.