Peace With One Another

READ | Romans 12:19-21 KJV
¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Scripture calls some believers to be a source of encouragement to others. But, most of us know at least one person who brings us more conflict than comfort. Discord can take many forms. Two personalities may not go well together. Different beliefs can lead to arguments. Words and actions might be misunderstood. But through Jesus Christ, almost any difference can be overcome.

Those who've received Him as Savior have the ability to live a life of peace. Conflict results from living in "the flesh". That's man's natural desire for self-satisfaction by any means.

Believers given the Holy Spirit can act in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. When we give the Lord control, His goodness and grace flow through our life and create harmony.

To have peace with one another, divine grace must first be expressed through prayer. We make it a habit of lifting up the other person to the Father. Next, we honestly discuss with this person the issue in the relationship. It could involve a past wound, incorrect assumption, or unhealthy thought pattern. There's only one way to uncover the source of conflict. That way is to be willing to share our concerns and listen to the other point of view. Sometimes it's necessary to get help from a godly counselor to work through this step.

Finally, once the root issue is identified, both parties must cooperate in restoring harmony. They agree to confront new issues as needed. God desires His Children live in peace, but He knows we cannot achieve harmony ourselves. For that reason, He gave us the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:24-25 KJV
²⁴Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
²⁵To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Why We Need Spiritual Discernment

READ | Philippians 1:8-11 KJV
⁸For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. ⁹And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
¹⁰That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
¹¹Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Things are not always what they seem is the mantra of mystery novels, but it's also a wise attitude for successful living. Too many people make decisions according to feelings, or they judge situations based only on what appears to be real. The Lord has given every believer a discerning spirit, so we can determine what is best.

Think about how many decisions a person makes in a day—choices about family, finances, work, etc. In an ideal world, a decision would have a correct choice and an incorrect one. As a result, it would be easy to make. In reality, however, what seems right is not always what's best.

Some things that are neither wrong nor sinful are still outside of God's will. Scripture doesn't contain specific directives regarding every possible life scenario. Instead, the Bible is filled with principles. At times, they're explained through stories and often through direct teaching.

Believers have the capacity to grow in spiritual maturity. Biblical principles together with guidance from the Holy Spirit become tools for making godly judgments. The question is not whether a certain choice looks good or feels right. It's whether or not a particular decision is God's will for that point in a person's life.

A well-developed spirit of discernment is essential for living in God's will. Without this sensitivity to the Lord's plan, a man or woman will take everything at face value. Many choices that look good and feel right are actually contrary to what God desires for a believer's life. For that reason, we must evaluate situations from a biblical perspective.

Jude 1:24-25 KJV

²⁴Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.