The peace of God that surpasses all understanding

(Philippians 4:6-7)

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding is the key to these couple of verses today, which say:

6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

It is a concept that has captured the hearts of many. People are seeking peace and this peace promises many things.

Who can understand the ways of God? Who can comprehend His peace? How do we receive the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? Today we will look at some of these things to try and find answers.

What is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding?

First, we must understand that no human can fully comprehend the things and the ways of God, as He has said:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

When we understand this it becomes easy to see that His peace and indeed almost all aspects of God’s nature are beyond human comprehension.

But that does not mean we cannot get an inkling into His ways. This is especially true of promises like this one.

The peace of God is not like the peace of men. Men say they seek peace when often that peace is just a “cessation of hostilities”.

I’m not just talking about seeking peace in wartime either. It is no different between two parties in competition in business or even personal relationships that have gone awry.

In almost all cases the peace they seek is just to overcome conflict.

The other thing about human peace is that it is not permanent. Man’s peace does not last. And this is where the peace of God that surpasses all understanding is so much different.

God’s peace is permanent. It does not fade. Even with a resumption of “hostilities” it cannot be taken away.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding is not an external peace. God’s peace operates internally within the hearts and minds of people. He has given us the means by which we can receive His peace as a gift and the mechanisms to hold onto it.

Jesus said this:

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 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. (John 14:26-27)

This is one of the most important scriptures about peace of which we should take note. Jesus gave us His peace as a gift and His peace is the peace of God. It is given not as a man gives because He asks nothing in return.

It is also in these words we see more about how we receive the peace of God.

How do we get the peace of God that surpasses all understanding?

We gain some insight into this in the scriptures quoted above.

In the Philippians 4 scripture, we see that we should have no anxiety about anything. Jesus also said the same in the John 14 verses.

But everyone has worries and anxieties don’t they? Everyone is concerned about things going on in their lives. So how are we supposed to have no anxiety about anything?

We see the answers provided in these same two verses.

In the John 14 verse, we see that the Lord God sends the Holy Spirit to His people in the name of Jesus. There is a process to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which I have written about elsewhere and won’t cover here. But part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to help people overcome.

Jesus Christ overcame this world, and He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can be overcomers too.

What is it that we are seeking to overcome? Sin. Passions of the flesh. Human desires that lead to sin. And all of the aggravations, anxieties and worries of this world.

The Holy Spirit teaches the people of the Lord so that they can stand in the face of all these forms of opposition. He provides insight, wisdom, and guidance to lead us to do what is right, to make right choices and decisions. And if we do these things, then what is there to be anxious about?

More than that, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak and being tempted. Under the pressures of temptation and testing, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to stand and overcome temptations. We are given the power to endure temptations and to find the way of escape so that we can get through those things.

And even when the passions, lusts, and desires of the flesh well up within us to try and cause us to do evil, the Holy Spirit is given so that we can use His power, the power of God, to overcome and crush those feelings before they can take hold.

Finally, we see in the Philippians 4 verses that we should pray and give thanks to the Lord in ALL things. By this we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, recognising He is our God. When we humble ourselves like this, He hears our prayers and helps us in the day of need.

When all of these things are in place and working in our lives, then we do receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. We live in the presence of God and have the peace of God in our hearts. And nothing can take His peace away.

What should you do next?

The next steps are quite simple.

First, pray and give thanks to the Lord for what He has done and is doing in your life. Humble yourself under His mighty hand.

Second, seek to receive the Holy Spirit who will be your counsellor, guide, teacher, comforter, and protector. The Holy Spirit will give you the victory over the flesh so that you can stand in the peace of God.

If you don’t know whether you have received the Holy Spirit or don’t know how to use the power of the Spirit, check out this link. You will find all you need to know, and if you still have questions, email me.

And finally, once you KNOW that you have received the Holy Spirit, learn to walk in the Spirit. Again you can search my website in the search field for “walking in the Spirit” and you’ll find plenty of information.

Doing these things will take you a long way towards receiving the peace that surpasses all understanding.

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No Anxiety
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