God’s Peace! God's Guiding Peace

Another important way the Holy Spirit will help you is by the inner peace he brings or by removing it. While this is not the ultimate, final test that something is right or wrong, it is one way God guides us. Always remember that the final arbiter of all truth is reserved for the authority of God’s Word.

Here’s how it works. When a Christian turns in the wrong direction, he or she can feel “checked in their heart.” The inner peace with God you routinely enjoy is withdrawn. This is one way God puts up a roadblock, a divine stop sign, a faithfully placed red light saying, “Don’t go there!”

The Apostle Paul writes that as we pray over the various directions and decisions of life, the peace of God will literally act as a guard over our hearts and minds

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:7, NIV)

The Greek word for guard means “to act like a military guard, like a sentinel.” Like an armed soldier, the Holy Spirit literally stands at the door of the Christian’s heart and guards it against the destructive assaults of fear, anxiety, and worry, allowing God’s peace to prevail. And that same armed guard can also warn of danger by removing his peace.

Put another way, God’s peace can be like a baseball umpire when we are faced with a decision where several options are pitched. He guides us by His peace as to whether a pitch is one we should swing for or is a ball to be avoided. When making a decision, if God’s peace is replaced with a troubled heart, pay attention! It may well be that God the Holy Spirit is warning you for your own protection.

The Holy Spirit of truth can be counted on to remove His peace when sin or danger is at the door. This is what Paul meant when he advised,

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

(Ephesians 4:30, NLT)