PEACE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS

1. Sin steals God's peace from us.

"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 48:22

God will not give His peace to anyone living in sin, including the following sins:

IDOLATRY & WITCHCRAFT:
Not loving, worshipping and serving God will all our heart, soul, mind an dstrength.
Not loving our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
Worshipping evil spirits, and seeking their power through charms, mediums, spells, witchcraft, etc. (Exodus 20:1-6).
Putting anything first before God: work, money, food, power, possesions, position, relationships, tradition (Matthew 6:24, 33; Colossians 3:5).

MISUSING GOD'S NAME:
Using God's name as a swear word (Exodus 20:7).

NOT KEEPING THE SABBATH DAY HOLY:
Not keeping one day in seven as a day that is holy to the Lord (Exidys 20:8-11). Not taking time to woship God and serve Him on a day set apart for Him.

NOT HONOURING YOUR FATHER & MOTHER:
Neglecting our parents, abusing them, treating them with disrespect and dishonor.
Bringing shame to them (Exodus 20:12).

MURDER
Killing others with anger, rage, criticism, judgemental spirit, hatred, unforgiveness, vengeance, mockery, abuse, condemnation, curses (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-24).

COMMITTING ADULTERY
Comming adultery in our heart (Exodus 20:14; Matther 5:27-32).
Fornication, homosexuality, prostitution.

STEALING
Taking things from others that do not belong to you (Exodus 20:15).
Robbing God of His tithes and offerings due to Him (Malachi 3:8-9).
Cheating in trade, cheating governemnt to taxes.

GIVING FALSE TESTIMONY
Lying, slander, bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16).

COVETING THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS
Greed, jealousy, envy, coveteousness (Exodus 20:17).

The loss of peace in our heart is a warning to us to seek God and find out from Him where we have fallen into sin, open or hidden.
The peace of God is a good indicator of the righteousness of our thoughts, words and deeds.
The peace of God serves as an umpire to tell us whether what we have done is right or wrong in God's sight (Colossians 3:15).

Let the PEACE of Christ RULE in your hearts, since as memnersof one body you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:15 NIV

And let the PEACE (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ RULE (ACT AS UMPIRE continually) in your heart --- DECIDING and SETTLING with finality all questions that arise in your minds -- [in that peacefull state] to which [as members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live].
Colossians 3:15 AMP

Whenever we lose our peace because of sin in our life, we must quickly identify that sin with the help of the Holy Spirit, repent, and be reconciled to God.
As soon as we do this, the peace of God will return to us (Isaiah 66:12).

2. Not following the leading of the Holy Spirit steals God's peace from us

If we do not follow after the specific leading of the Holy Spirit, we will grieve Him and lose the peace of God.
We will be doing thins which are out of God's specific will and bring danger and loss to our life, family, work and ministry.
E.g.Choice of a life partner, church, children's school or college.
Choice of a job, changing a job.
Purchase of a house/vehicle/luxuries/club membership/church building/shares.
Going on vacation, pleasure trips.
Serving God in the Church, etc.

In any decision-making, the loss of peace is a sure sign that your decision is not of the Holy Spirit.
Instead, follow the Holy Spirit and do only that which cause pease to rule continually in your heart (Colossians 3:15).
However, if you have already made the wrong decision, quickly repent and seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom in getting out of the problems arising from your wrong decision.
Cry out to God for His grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
If you truely repent, God will deliver you, in His own time and way.

3. Worry will steal God's peace from us

Many believers worry because they do not trust God to deliver them from their problems, to provide for them financially, to protect them, to heal them or to give them and their family success in all that they do.
We worry when we lack the word of God, not knowing God's power and wisdom to save us, and not knowing God's love and care for each one of us.
Our Lord therefore command us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34).

How then do we deal with our worries and live in God's peace?
FIRST, read God's word to build up our faith in His power and love to save and help us (Matthew 6:30).
SECOND, turn to God in prayer and seek His help in the area of need that is causing you to worry (Philippians 4:6-7).
THIRD, begin to thank God for the answer, for God has answered your prayer the moment you asked Him for His help (Mark 11:24).

Do not be anxious abour anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)

As you begin to thank God for the answer, your worries will leave you.
In its place, the peace of God will once more guard and rule your hearts and mind.
God will give you His peace that is beyond all understanding.
It is a peace that the world cannot give nor understand.
It is a peace that is the birthright of every child of God.

4. Always focus on God's goodness to maintain God's peace in your heart.

Our mind must always focus on God's goodness in order to maintain God's peace in our heart.
In other word, always meditate on God's power and love to bless you, help you and deliver you.

Never allow thoughts from the devil to enter your mind -- thoughts that sow fear, and doubts and unbelief in God.
If you do so, you will lose the peace of God.

Our mind is the battlefield God and the devil fight for our life.
Cast down all the lies of the devil from mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Instead, set your minds only on God's character, on His plans and puposes, and on His goodnes and His love for your (Isaiah 26:3).
In this way, God's presence will surround you and His peace will remain with you always (Philippians 4:8-9).

Thou dost keep him in PERFECT PEACE
whose MIND is stayed on Thee,
because he trusts in Thee.
Isaiah 26:3

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --- THINK about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me --- put it inot practice. And the GOD OF PEACE will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9)

Your thought:

1. How does a beliver know that he has lost the peace of God?

Share some simple signs to indicate the loss of the peace of God.

2. What do you worry about most?

Does our worrying do us any good?
How does God want us to deal with our worries?