Let the Peace of God Rule

Let the Peace of God Rule

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: Colossians 3:12-17 (15-16)

I want to do a small word study of our text in Colossians this morning.

In ver.15, the Greek word “rule,” - literally, "sit as umpire" - is used to describe an official at an athletic event – but also the Word directs, controls rules my heart.

Let the peace of Christ rule - act as umpire – when the spirit of fear, anger, a spirit of stupid, starts to take over, and let God’s peace restrain them.

Years ago Heatheann came up with a phrase that we have used for years to make decisions, and help other people gain perspective.
“Go with the peace.”

We ask, “Should I take that job? Should I move? Is this God leading me here?” What does your heart tell you? If I’m in a relationship with the Lord, the peace of God will be an umpire in my heart.

If there isn’t a deep sense of peace in your heart, back up & go with the peace.

I think God is whispering to our soul, “Don’t do it.”

Don’t move without the pace of God umpiring and ruling in your heart.

But it is much more than just a heart at peace.
Let’s say someone says, they have peace about doing something that is in direct opposition to God’s Word.

“I’ve prayed, fasted, asked God, and I have peace about it.”
Remember Jonah had peace about going to Nineveh, but it was a direct disobedience to what God had already said.

Jonah was even able to sleep right through the storm.
There was even a boat waiting to take him – providence right?
It must be God, because I asked Him to take away my desire, and He hasn’t so therefore I conclude …..

Listening to my heart can’t be the only criteria for determining God’s will.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jer 17:9

v.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly… The Word is the final authority.

When someone says they have peace about something that contradicts the Word, you know those feelings are IRREVELANT!

Let His Word “DWELL” in your heart. Not visit.

His peace can rule in our heart, but it will NEVER contradict the Word of God.
Whatever “dwells” in your heart rules you.

Php 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This implies we have a choice in whether or not our hearts are anxious.

The older I get, the more I discover that the real need in my life is not for God to come on the scene and change things to the way I think it should be, but the real need is for me to allow the peace of God to guard my heart from imagining the worst case scenario.

I’m usually concerned that God hasn’t heard me because He hasn’t changed things the way I asked him to.

So I wrongly conclude: He hasn’t heard me – He doesn’t care –

Ps 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Joh 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me

Joh 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The word here rendered “be afraid” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It points especially to the cowardice of fear. This implies I have a choice.

I am not making a prophecy, but before the week is over, you and I will have an opportunity to apply this message to the atmosphere of our hearts.

If His Word is dwelling in my heart, then the peace of God will act as an umpire to maintain His peace.