Scriptures About Peace

    

What is peace, biblically speaking?

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

The words of Jesus two thousand years ago ring through my head as I survey the chaos of this world and wonder what it really means to be a Christian in this post-modern world. Over the last several years, decades even, there has been a war waged on our words. Language and culture have collided and the result of ideological movements like deconstructionism have led to an era of believers who know the words of Scripture but now find those same words meaning much different things in the culture we relate to.

So, now, how does one know what it means to live in biblical peace?

Let’s start by setting all the cards out on the table. The word “peace” in Scripture has a very different meaning that the word “peace” has in our culture. If we are honest, when people use the word “peace” in the culture, they want us as Christians to not make waves, they want us to acquiesce our convictions for the sake of their comfort, they want tolerance and acceptance, regardless of the situation. And should we startle the status quo of modern culture, then we find ourselves being branded as peace takers instead of peacekeepers, and how dare we not be peaceable and call ourselves Christians.

The struggle comes because the world has taken the word “peace” and removed the Biblical definition, rebranded the word according to their standards, then turned around and gotten Christians to use the word with their meaning.


It’s time we step into Scripture, understand the meaning of peace, and the power and spirit behind it and live according to Scripture not society.

The word “peace” is introduced to us in the Old Testament as šālôm and means ‘completeness’, ‘soundness’ and ‘well-being’, it is the opposite of harm and carries not only a physical connotation, but also a spiritual one.  Peace, as introduced in the Old Testament is the association with righteousness.  

As we see the revelation of Jesus Christ in the New Testament as the Son of God, we also read about peace in connection with Jesus. Jesus offers peace and is proclaimed as the Prince of Peace.


As Christians then, our focus and understanding of peace must be within the context, behavior and revelation given to us in Scripture. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, if He is our Peace and He has given us His peace then it would stand to reason that living in Biblical peace means living life in Christ, like Christ, and sharing Christ with the world.

It also stands to reason why as Christians we struggle to live in the world. If we have Jesus and are His followers, we as children of light struggle in the world full of darkness. Light and dark don’t mix. They clash, and therefore there is not peace between the two of them.

It’s not that Christians aren’t being peaceful, but rather because Christians are full of peace (essentially full of Christ) they stand as a light against the world of darkness and the culture is not comfortable with us.

Our job as Christ followers is to be the salt and light to the world. To be a peace maker in a Biblical sense means that we are bringing Christ to others, sharing the Gospel with them and bridging them into a relationship with Christ, so they too can have Peace, not necessarily an emotion, but the Person who is Peace.

To be a peacekeeper in a biblical sense means we are abiding in Christ, keeping Christ in our conversations, community, and convictions. We are aligning with Christ in all things and walking in the Spirit as we engage with this world.

Living in biblical peace does not mean our circumstances are simple, without conflict and hassle free, but rather, we have the presence of God with us in all situations we face so we can engage in the environments as Christ would.

There is a false notion that having peace means that life will be without strife and struggle. This is simply not true, Jesus said we would have trouble, but we are not to be afraid. Such power for us happens when we walk in relationship with Him and live in the power of His presence––His peace.

As this culture grows more hostile to the Christian world, we must remember it is not because it’s a personal attack against us, but rather it is a battle of evil against righteousness, and the conflict ensues when we stand for righteousness in a world full of evil. Peace is not necessarily an absence of conflict, but rather the focus amid conflicts. Are we leading people into awareness of and relationship with God or away from Him?

We can engage in the conversations of this world with grace and truth, bringing hope to people in desperate need of Jesus while we lead them to the Person who can bring peace for their soul. And we must remember that we represent God to this world, so we ought not be surprised when we are not well received, when we feel uncomfortable in the world, and when the culture pushes back against the convictions we hold in Scripture.
For more study on the topic of peace and what Scripture has to say about it, we've collected for you these 31 Scriptures on the topic of peace. Scroll down the page to download a free printable page to use in your Bible study or reading time.

2 Corinthians
13:11

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Numbers
6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Psalm 34:14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Isaiah 55:12
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Proverbs 12:20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Romans 8:6For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Hebrews 12:11
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.




1 Corinthians
14:33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Romans 12:18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
1 Peter 3:11
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 29:11May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
James 3:18
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Romans 14:19So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Save this beautiful image to your phone or tablet to use as a daily visual reminder 
that peace is found in the Lord.
Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

John 14:27Peace 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.
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Hebrews 12:14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Matthew
10:34-36

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

Psalm 119:165Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

John 16:33I 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.”
Isaiah 48:22
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Lord, I am thankful you are the giver of peace in times when my heart is weary and needs refuge. I often find myself facing situations that leave me feeling rocked and unsure which direction to take or decision to make. Knowing you are right by my side to speak truth and wisdom, brings peace to my soul.

Father, when I feel the waves of frustration and anxiety well up and the cares of the day threaten to overwhelm me, help me to seek your face and your word to bring peace to my heart and mind.

Jesus, when I am afraid of the circumstances I am facing and I don’t know where to turn, help me to seek you instead of trying to find peace in the things of the world around me. Give me peace that is beyond my understanding and calm my anxious heart.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.


Stephanie K Adams
Real Women Ministries

Resources

Download this free printable "Peace" Scripture Reading List to use in your Bible study / reading time. Once printed, fold the page in half to create a beautiful and functional bookmark. 
Natalia Drumm is a graduate student at Dallas Theological Seminary and founder and creator of Girlfriends in the Word™ where she leads Bible study groups and produces study books and resources for busy women to grow in God’s Word. She also writes for Lifeway Women, A Wife Like Me and Sweet to the Soul. Visit her website at www.nataliadrumm.com

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