… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Summary: As we look at the second half of Paul’s verse about peace, we discover the dangers that confront us and how incredibly important the peace of God is.
When Paul says “your hearts and your minds,” he is talking to you and me. Anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ is entitled to this peace that Paul talks about.
Let’s look at the entire verse:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The peace of God is many things, as we discussed in the last meditation, but the question I have (and maybe you do, too) is, “How does God’s peace guard my heart and mind?”
To answer that, let’s first ask another question: What are the threats to your heart and mind?
From a biblical perspective, anything that comes between you and me and our God is a threat. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he describes these threats as ”the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Some of these “dark powers” live inside us (Romans 7:17). Jealousy, hate, and envy are some of the more common ones. Some come through the actions and words of other people. Some, I believe, are spiritual in nature, demonic forces we cannot see or understand (Acts 19:13, James 3:15).
Whatever the source, there are forces at work that want to keep us apart from the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the serpent tempted Eve and Adam to sin (Genesis 3:1-7), we are still subject to constant temptation from the devil.
Is this dangerous?
Putting aside the question of our eternal salvation,* there are many hazards that come when our hearts and minds are not guarded.
People who are under attack by the “dark forces” Paul talked about are distracted. Distracted people are not as effective in their work for the kingdom of God.
The peace of God is the answer to worry and fear. The peace of God allows our minds to be at rest in the Lord. The peace of God is the feeling you get when you have finished eating an exceptionally good meal. When we are full and our needs are met, we are not looking for trouble. Instead, we are looking to please the one who met all our needs.
Application: The more we trust Jesus, the more peace we have in Christ.
Food for Thought: How would you compare life with the peace of God to life without it?
*People have argued about this issue for centuries. This is not the time or place to continue the argument, nor do I believe there is room for argument in the heart of the believer who is fully given to Jesus.
How would you compare life with the peace of God to life without it?
Heaven and Hell!
We are each individual spiritual beings confined within physical bodies for a period of time known only by our creator God, who has chosen to give each free will to during this physical life span, choose eternity in Heaven or Hell. The rewards or consequences of this choice are seen today as we simply look around.
We have become a growing, population of individuals who have chosen to reject the calling of God and embrace the increasingly destructive ways of sin. Drugs and lewd conduct totally condemned by God are not only commonplace today, but are in fact encouraged. People are increasingly choosing to rebel against and can be seen paying the price on our city streets.
This world is under conviction of the Holy Spirit of God, people are making their choices, and Christ is returning soon.
John 16:8, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
Philippians 4:7-14, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thank you, Ron!
You make an important point — we get to choose whether we believe in God or not. Life without God is like trying to navigate by the stars but not having the North Star. Uncertainty is unsettling!