Walk in Peace
In Romans 16:20, we read the following: ‘The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”. I believe this Scripture will be fully consummated with the return of Jesus. But it also provides us with a valuable key today to overcome the attacks of satan and bring all evil storms into subjection, under our feet. It is interesting to note that it is not the LORD of Hosts (also denoting war) who will crush satan under our feet but the God of peace. When God shows up in our lives as peace—for He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), His peace crushes every raging storm (cf. Mark 4:39). It is also worthy of note that the God of peace will not crush satan under His feet but ours. Regarding the armour God admonishes us to put on (Ephesians 6:11-18), our feet is to be protected by that which also has to do with peace (Ephesians 6:15). I believe this teaches us that the same peace of God, which crushes satan under our feet, is what we need to keep him in perpetual subjection under our feet.
The peace of God is also a divine defensive weapon that mounts an impenetrable guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Thus, as long as we abide in the peace of God, we keep the devil out and deny him the influence and footstool he needs to wreak havoc in our lives. It was when Peter saw the wind boisterous that fear entered in and he began to sink (Matthew 14:30). The antidote to this temptation is to agree with God, i.e. faith, and thereby be at peace (Matthew 14:32, Job 22:21). Therefore, we read “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;27-28). We are able to keep our hearts from being troubled and fearful, and thereby give the devil no place, as we abide in the peace Jesus has given us. How do we do this practically?
We read in Philippians 4:9: “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”. Paul admonished his followers to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Therefore, the things he wanted them to practice were the things that were of Christ, who is also the Word of God (John 1:1). Thus, in Philippians 4:9, we are told that as long as we make a practice of the Word of God, the God of peace will Himself be with us. In other words, God Himself will manifest as peace in our lives (cf. Ephesians 2:14). This shows that peace is not just a tranquil state of mind and heart. It is the presence of God with us that translates into our peace—for He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Even so, we invoke this peace and are able to abide in it to the degree that we practice of the word of God.
Philippians 4:6-7 also says, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus” (NKJV). To have God’s peace guard your heart and mind is dependent on, first of all, choosing not to be anxious. If God tells us not to be anxious, then it is only because He has given us the grace not to be anxious. Otherwise He will be unjust and unrighteous to expect us to do something He has not enabled us to do. However, righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne (Psalm 89:14). Therefore, if God says to be anxious for nothing, then we should be humble and choose not to be anxious. Apparently, God also measures our humility by our willingness to cast our anxieties upon Him and not rather bear them ourselves: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7). It is after we have been humble enough not to worry or be anxious, and have made our requests known to God with thanksgiving, that we can expect His peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The Bible also says that “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Righteousness is not only a state of being imputed to us by faith in Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 3:22). Righteousness is also a lifestyle we have been called to pursue: “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness…(2 Timothy 2:22). Even so, righteousness isn’t defined by our personal or man’s standards or preferences. It is what calls righteous that qualifies as righteousness (cf. Romans 6:12-14, Galatians 5:19-23). When we live by what God and His Word call righteous, that will lead to His peace, which brings true joy (Romans 14:17).
-Kwadwo Omari, PhD
August 4, 2022.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.