Bible Study Notes:

OK, we've been studying spiritual warfare, specifically our weapons, for several weeks now. Some believe there is only ONE weapon, and that is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. And it's true that it is our major weapon.

But there is huge arsenal of weapons that are found in the Word and the Lord has been opening up some of them to me as I go. At first I had 3, then 7, then 10, now it's about 20, and I say keep them coming! Glory! Or if you want to be picky, look at the Word as a huge Swiss army knife that opens up to have all these weapons in one handy dandy package. However it helps you to understand it.

To equip a soldier is to see that he/she has everything needed for warfare, to be fully fitted into armor, and have access to and training in weaponry and every other aspect of warfare. And peace is part of our equipment! But how can you even HAVE peace when we are doing spiritual warfare? Well, what is peace anyway???

prodigal son - The absence of Chaos
Shilo - Could it be contentment?

Peace is in the Greek is eirene {i-ray'-nay} signifying, rest, quietness, tranquillity, exemption from the rage and havoc of war; harmony, concord; security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous).

Peace - Eirene - specifically refers to the Messiah's peace: the way that leads to peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

A shorter definition of peace is: the state of quietness, rest, repose, harmony, and security in the midst of turmoil, strife and temptation. Here we are speaking of peace in the MIDST of battle. However there also may be times when the Lord calls us aside for rest and refreshing, sort of like an R&R.

ServantJC - Peace is knowing that you don't need to worry about anything because God has control

Amen SJC! Note that one definition of peace is exemption from the RAGE and HAVOC of war. We can have peace IN the conflict we are fighting - peace with God and peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, because we are NOT fighting against the flesh, but against the unseen world, against principalities and powers.

ServantJC - We are carved into the palm of his mighty hand and he will not let us down

I Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Yes froggy! Note here that Paul says we have weaponS, not just one. The biggest problem that I see in the church is that Christians are not only fighting unbelievers IN THE FLESH but other believers as well! Beloved, this should not be. We are soldiers of a different sort. We'd have to be for peace to be an effective weapon.

ServantJC - People are deceived by what they see - that deceit is robbing them -that is what we are fighting spiritually for

So the next time, you feel like telling someone "how it is", particularly unbelievers, remember this: not only are you fighting the wrong foe, but also you may be the one than encourages them on their final step to damnation. On the other hand, if you walk in peace and love, you could encourage them on their FIRST step to salvation!

ServantJC - What kind of father wants to see his children fighting if we are fighting amongst ourselves it needs to stop within ourselves as we are living examples of Christ and people are watching us searching for that peace of God and love of God we need to be examples of that but not just externally but internally

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Pat, love them and pray for them ... and wait... in peace.

ServantJC - You have done your part in asking for forgiveness the rest is up to god dealing in them and he will ask them for their forgiveness for holding that grudge against them this takes strength but I know from experience it is worth it

Here God is specifically talking about caring for his vineyard, Israel, and by extension, us. Now I've heard people say that "God is not mad at you" and have always believed that, but in studying for this lesson I ran across this verse that SAYS it " I AM NOT ANGRY" Thank you Father God!

ServantJC - There is power in peace
¥¥ froggy ¥¥ - how can you have peace ,,,when the devil is really on you,,,,, I have a calling on my life,,, and having a calling,,,, the devil attacks me all the time,,, it's hard to keep[ peace,,, i need strength ,,and peace..
prodigal son - Great peace have they which love thy law. and nothing shall offend them
Shilo - Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

V. 4 is talking about burning thorns; part of caring for a grapevine is getting rid of thorns. Thorns like froggy has? Froggy the Lord will burn those thorns up for you friend! First we must be at peace WITH God before we can have the peace OF God.

2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and AT PEACE WITH HIM.

The first step then, on our journey into peace, is to receive peace WITH God brought about by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which reconciles us to God. In other words, we are no longer at war with God. If you feel that God is mad at you, or you feel uneasy in His presence, you can be at peace with Him by repenting of your sins and receiving Jesus as your savior.

You are only responsible for your own heart. If someone else chooses NOT to live in peace, there's nothing you can do but pray.

Shilo - 2 Corinthians 13-22 ....Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in PEACE: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

The Bible teaches that we bear fruit through living by the Spirit, walking in the Spirit and by allowing the Spirit to lead us. The Christian doesn't produce the fruit by anything he does, it is a product of walking in the Spirit. The Spirit leads us into the will of God. As we allow Him to become our companion and walk with us, we become more like Him - and the fruits, including peace, are manifested in our lives.

The fruit doesn't come by our striving to follow a set of rules or regulations (Against such things there is no law). It comes from walking with the Spirit and allowing HIM to bear fruit in us. It doesn't say "MY fruit" or "OldTimer's fruit"; it says the fruit OF THE SPIRIT. Big difference.

Why does peace take effort? For two reasons: 1) we live in a world at enmity with God and with us believers; conflict is a "natural" here, and 2) we have an enemy that is seeking to destroy our peace. If peace were easy, then why doesn't everyone live in peace?

John Bevere in "Breaking Intimidation" says that false humility is often a substitute for making peace.

"People living in such a state recognize the importance of pursuing God's character but stop there. They never venture out into God's gifting in their lives because they are afraid. They avoid anything that involves confrontation, perceiving it as a lack of love or Christian character."

Bevere continues: "I refer to these people as "peacekeepers." At first glance peacekeeping may look appealing, but Jesus never said, 'Blessed are the peacekeepers." Rather, He said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). A peacekeeper avoids confrontation at any cost. He will go to any length to preserve a false sense of security for himself which he mistakes for peace."

Bevere: "There is peace in the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17). However, this peace does not come by the absence of confrontation. As Jesus pointed out, "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). There is violent opposition to the advancement of God's kingdom."

Meekness is not being a doormat, it is strength under control. Remember we're talking about peace as a weapon, and it is NOT a false humility - never making waves for fear of offending someone.

Bevere: "Often we think, I'll just ignore this, and it will go away. But we need to wake up and realize that what we do not confront will not change! This is why Jude urges on the saints with the following: "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3)."

Bevere: "Notice he said "contend earnestly," not hope for the best. Contend means to fight or wage battle. Christianity is not an easy lifestyle! There IS constant opposition and resistance to our pursuit of God in both the natural and the spiritual realms!"

"Paul strengthened Timothy with, 'You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself..." (2 Timothy 2:3-4). We are engaged in warfare. We are to have the attitude of a soldier. We are not to back down from evil, but we are to overcome it with good by God's grace (Romans 12:21)."

Bevere concludes: "If you identify with this fear [of intimidation], then this message is sent to bring you courage and liberty. God wants you liberated to do and be whatever He asks of you. When you are intimidated, there is no joy. And without joy there is no strength. Where there is fear, there is no peace. But as you break out of what has held you back you'll find joy and peace in abundance!"

Shilo - Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

OK, let me see if I can break it down for you. Our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood in the sense that we are to kill, and hurt, whether physically or with words, other people. We are to walk in peace and love, and try to live at peace as best we can. But peace does not equal a false humility in which we accept anything and everything that comes down the pike to KEEP a false peace. When we MAKE peace, we cannot be intimidated by the forces that will try to unsettle us and force us out of our place of peace and safety. And these forces, the principalities and powers that we war against, usually bring the people they inspire into direct confrontation with us.

OlePappy - Peace in us is the warm sunshine and the sweet smell of the flowers when the storm of satan rages just outside … peace in us is the gentle breeze that brings the warmth and sweet smell to us as satan tries his best to destroy … peace in us is the blue, clear sky above and the green grass below in pleasant harmony as satan flies around in anger… God's peace in us is the gentle river flowing ever so calmly over our feet as we listen to the melodious sounds of the songbirds while satan in frustration fires his ineffective evil

And these forces, the principalities and powers that we war against, usually bring the people they inspire into direct confrontation with us. Now confrontation doesn't mean that we intentionally harm anyone. We are to speak the truth in love. But just be prepared: there will be some who will not like it!

Shilo - We must model ourselves after Christ. Luke 1-79 .. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.....

We've looked at what peace making is NOT and that is false humility and avoidance of confrontation. Now let's look at what peace making IS. Jesus said that peacemakers are blessed - so I want to know how to do it.

Edification means to erect a building. Mutual means we help build up each other. After you have made peace with God, then try to make peace with those you've hurt, as far as you are able. Jesus speaking:

Basically that's what Jesus said too - in the Lord's prayer, Forgive us as we forgive those that trespass against us. And in several places, if we don't forgive, we WILL NOT be forgiven. Especially strive to be at peace with leadership:

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

This is not "sucking up" or "brown nosing". This is being respectful and attentive in obedience to the Word of God. If leadership needs correction, God will supply it in abundance. It is not up to sheep to correct shepherds.

This bugs a lot of people, me included. Being respectful and at peace with leadership has always been difficult for me. Submission to godly authority is so important that we MUST be certain that the church or ministry we are a part of is of God and the Word! It is the office of the pastor to correct and rebuke - so who corrects and rebukes him/her but another pastor? God is no respecter of persons as far as salvation goes, but we are talking about the order of authority He has established in the church.

Z - But thankfully, God is helping me in that area and I am gaining a better understanding of true leadership... God is the authority of our authorities, He places those people in their position (of authority)… God will [correct them] ...He can put them there , He can take 'em out too

Another component of peace making is not allowing your heart to be a harbor for the ships of envy, selfish ambition, boasting and lying. These are not heavenly barges lying at anchor there, but earthly, unspiritual and hellish. They bring disorder and evil practices, not peace:

James 3:14-16 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

However, when you seek heavenly wisdom, it is filled with peace, and instead of being part of a navy of evil, is like grain barges full of healthy grain:

Before Jesus came there was no peace, agreement or communication between the Jew and the Gentile. They had nothing in common, and were in conflict. Jesus made peace through His death by making ONE way for BOTH to get to the Father - through His body wounded and dying on the cross. Jesus IS our peace - our only means of peace - with God and with each other.

Another way to look at it is that Jesus destroyed the wall between us by actually taking the hostility upon himself - he bore it all! An immediate evidence of this result of the cross: our peace is found in John 20:19; 21, 26: After Jesus' resurrection, when the work of this reconciliation was done, what was the FIRST thing that Jesus said when He greeted the disciples?

John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

kp - God fills us with his peace in the midst of every storm

Again, any time something is repeated 2 or 3 times we need to attend to it! Because Jesus has brought us peace, we are also told to live at peace with each other: 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE. And the God of love and PEACE will be with you.

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Note here that there IS a unity of the Spirit that already exists - we are keepers of this unity through PEACE.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Notice that living in peace is NOT a "suggestion", it is a COMMAND! If Jesus took making peace seriously enough to die for it, don't you think it should have a high priority in your life also???

For those that somehow think that being a Christian gives them the right to argue, read Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of [arguing about] eating and drinking, but of righteousness, PEACE and joy in the Holy Spirit,

The blessing, anointing or filling of Peace: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope FILL you with all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 The source of peace is God and peace can FILL you, body, mind and spirit, if you will just ask God for it. How do you receive a special infilling or anointing of peace? You ask for it and receive it by faith in your spirit from God just like any other spiritual treasure. Jim and I received a supernatural anointing of peace in a conference we recently attended in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

We were running late and had only been in the service about 10 minutes. So we hadn't caught up to what Pastor Dave Roberson was teaching, when he invited us to come up to the front to receive a special anointing, which I wasn't even sure at the time what he meant. But he said that it wasn't for everyone, but if it was for you that the Holy Spirit would speak to you and let you know. Well, it was as if my inner man was pulling me up out of my seat, and I felt such a yearning inside, I couldn't refuse. So I told Jim "I know we've only been here 10 minutes, but I've got to go".

Well, he thought I meant "go to the bathroom"! So he was very surprised to see me at the altar. So he hurried up to join me, and Pastor Dave said that we might feel a spirit of weeping come upon us, and we did, something from very deep inside. And I began praying in the spirit, very loudly as it turned out, because you can hear me on the tape of the service! And went down under the spirit before Pastor Dave touched me. And Jim did too.

How can I explain it? We received an anointing of peace so strong that we could hardly sit up for days. Such a peace, a higher level than I knew existed. It's really hard to put in words, but I wouldn't exchange it for anything.

Of course the devil has tried to rob us of it - but no, it's a permanent change in our spirits and we will not lose it. It's like a shield of peace permanently around us, a wall or fortress of peace.

As Paul said in Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Greek word for guard here is phroureo {froo-reh'-o} which means to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight; to protect by guarding, to keep by watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something.

Praise the Lord! This anointing of peace is protecting our hearts and minds from hostile invasion, is watching and guarding to perserve our spirits as we strive to attain the high calling in Christ Jesus!

Peace will "boomerang back" on you also. Know what a boomerang is? It's an Australian aboringine weapon that is curved. When you throw it correctly, it comes back to you. When you bless others with peace, it will be returned to you again.

Acts 15:31-34 The people read it [letter from main church at Jerusalem] and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with THE BLESSING OF PEACE TO RETURN to those who had sent them, but Silas decided to remain there.

Let's review what peace means. In the Greek, peace is eirene {i-ray'-nay} signifying, rest, quietness, tranquillity, exemption from the rage and havoc of war; harmony, concord; security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous).

Peace specifically refers to the Messiah's peace: the way that leads to peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

If you are not at peace today, why not start by making peace with God? Confess your sins to Him, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be born again - receive a recreated human spirit, be adopted as God's son, be forgiven of all your sins, be bought back from the rule of the devil, and live an abundant life forever!

If you are a believer, but are still struggling with doubt, fear, anxiety, depression, etc. , you too can receive an anointing of peace. Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit and allow His peace to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

So how is peace a weapon against the enemy? One way is that it is a preservative of unity among the brethren. The of the devil's favorite destructive devices is discord among the brethren in Christ. Oh, this makes him so happy he could dance a jig about it. But the peaceof God preserves our unity.

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Salt is not only a seasoning, it is a preservative - at least if it hasn't "lost its saltiness". And what is the preservative of our unity? Peace.

The filling of peace is part of the sanctifying or cleansing power of God and has keeping power from blame (one of satan's favorite bullets) until Jesus comes for us: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace is a blessing, a special favor, mercy or benefit, a gift bestowed by God. Like Joy, it is a source of strength in our conflict. Psalms 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Another way that peace enters our warfare, is that it robs us of enemies - we win by default! Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

We are given this promise in Isaiah 60:17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and if you let Him rule, you WILL have peace: peace with God and peace with one another.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace but the peace that He brings does not come cheaply: it cost him his life. And peace within and without will come at a similar cost to us: we must submit our lives to God and die to our selfishness in order to obtain and to proclaim this peace. Only Jesus can "guide our feet into the path of peace".

Luke 1:78-79 …"because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

So let PEACE rule! Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

So when discord abounds, what should you do? Let Peace Rule. When you are filled with anxiety and fear, what should you do? LET PEACE RULE. When you are tempted to spread gossip and bad news, what should you do? LET PEACE RULE!!!!

And when peace rules the devil is routed out of our hearts, lives, homes, churches - everwhere a peacemaker steps his feet with the combat boots of peace. Glory!

Jesus is our peace! He is the Prince of Peace! We can be in a state of quietness and repose because He is in control, He is on the throne. We don't have to worry or fret. Harmony - how we need harmony in our relationships, in our homes, while driving down the road, even! Lord grant us ever-increasing peace through the Holy Spirit. AMEN

When I became so ill with allergic reactions that I nearly died, when my body was so stressed out that I nearly had a complete breakdown, one thing the Lord taught me was to REST in Him! Despite my illness, despite fear and doubt, despite a horrible nervousness stemming from my poor condition, I learned to REST in Jesus' sweet peace.

We talked about our spiritual warfare briefly. We also talked about the meaning of peace and that first we have to be at peace WITH God to have the peace OF God. The only way to obtain peace WITH God is to have faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is something we pursue or seek to obtain, and is also a fruit of walking in the Spirit. We talked about being peace MAKERS and the difference in that and false humility.

Glory - sometimes we have to realize who we are fighting it is not the person it is satan