Peace Sacrificed

John 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.

What we see today is a growing number of alarmists who believe they are standing on the walls of righteousness crying out to all “The enemy is here!”

Do they serve God or the schemes of the deceiver? 

The first thing we must look at is the arena of the battlefield. Is it spiritual or of the world? If it is either we will need the peace of God to answer what is needed of us. We can be used by God on any battlefield. The reason is because people are involved who have lost their peace of God or who need to find it for the first time.

We will not hear God clearly during these times if we sacrifice His peace by rushing to do battle because the alarmists have upset us. God gave us emotions but not to become victims of them. We become victims when we sacrifice our peace.

What upsets us the most?

That is a difficult question to answer here because I have my own list as do we all. We might agree on some and not on others.

Ask why we are upset. In some cases we may have experience in the past which brings up strong emotions about our own abuses. What we went through ourselves will likely foster strong emotional responses. Perhaps something seems important with or without cause. Others can influence our perceptions.

Luke 21:34a Amplified Bible (AMP) But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed……

An inappropriate expression of emotions to a situation beyond our control can lead to depression. Depression is harmful to good relationships. We must guard our hearts against it for the sake of our relationship with our Lord.

Philippians 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Apostasy

Jeremiah 2:19 English Standard Version (ESV) Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.

Apostasy is a falling away in a relationship with our Lord, forsaking our Lord.

Hosea 14:4 English Standard Version (ESV) I will heal their apostasy;  I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

The cure for any damaged relationship is love and mercy.

Jesus likened it to love running cold.

Matthew 24:11-12 English Standard Version

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

The priest accused Paul of being an apostate because he was teaching Christ in the synagogues, saying he had fallen away from the Jewish faith. In many ways these false prophets and teachers Jesus warns us about are trying to get the faithful to cling to knowledge and forsake our relationship with the Lord.

The only protection from false prophets and teachers is a close personal relationship with the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 English Standard Version

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

The list of insincere lies remains unsaid here because the list is much longer today. The stronger our faith is, the more cunning the lies of the enemy become. Be careful who we listen to these days.