Hold Your Peace
I. Peace is a Kingdom Reality
Isaiah 9:7 New King James Version
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.Romans 14:17 New King James Version
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
a. If you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven you are never without peace, because Holy Spirit (in you) is your supernatural source of peace
i. The zeal of the Lord
ii. Peace… in the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22 New King James Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
1. Are YOU experiencing an constantly increasing sense of peace in Holy Spirit?
b. Peace thieves
i. The Devil
John 10:10 New King James Version
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
ii. Carnal Mindedness – believing, speaking, feeling and behaving like the world
Romans 8:6 New King James Version
6 For to be [a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
c. Do not allow ANYTHING to steal your peace, HOLD YOUR PEACE
II. How to Hold Your Peace
a. Define it Correctly
John 14:27 New King James Version
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.
i. Not as the World Gives, do I Give to You
1. Worldly Peace
a. Dictionary.com
i. The normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world
ii. An agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc. to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism
iii. A state a mutual harmony between peoples or groups, especially in personal relations
iv. The normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security
2. Biblical Peace
a. Peace – Eirene (G1515)
i. A state of national tranquility
1. Exemption from the rage (violent wrath) and havoc (widespread destruction) of war
ii. Peace between individuals
iii. Security, safety, prosperity, felicity
iv. Of the Messiah’s peace
1. A way that leads to peace (salvation)
v. 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
vi. The blessed state of devout and upright men after death
b. Peace – salom (H7965)
i. Completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1. Completeness (in number)
2. Safety, soundness, (in body)
3. Welfare, health, prosperity
4. Peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment
5. Peace, friendship
a. Of human relationships
b. With God especially in covenant relationship
6. Peace (from war)
7. Peace (ad adjective)
ii. You’re not looking for the absence of war, conflict, fear, trouble, etc.
1. Jesus would never offer you that when He knows it is impossible.
John 16:31-33 New King James Version
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his [a]own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [b]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
2. Jesus offers peace in the midst of war, conflict, fear, trouble, etc.
b. Shut Your Mouth – Isaiah 36:1-21
i. Keep your mouth shut in the face of whatever is attempting to steal your peace
Isaiah 36:21 New King James Version
21 But they [a]held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
ii. Hold your peace – haras (H2790)
1. To be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf
iii. Stop advertising for the devil
1. Repeating what he wants to be true in your life
a. After a breakup - Nothing ever works out
b. New born in the house - I’ll never get sleep again
c. Something difficult takes place in life - I will never have peace
i. What else Lord?
c. Take EVERYTHING to the LORD – Isaiah 37:1
i. Don’t go to other people, places, or things!!!
ii. Go directly to Holy Spirit, if you don’t have time to step away with Him, WAIT to discuss it, until you can
1. Shunamite Woman and Elisha
a. 2 Kings 4:8-37 New King James Version
d. PRAY, don’t COMPLAIN – Isaiah 37:14-20
i. Prayer Worrier vs Prayer Warrior
Luke 18:1-8 New King James Version
18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,[b]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will [c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
1. Complains about injustice vs fights for justice
a. If you’re not in the word, you have no idea what justice is, what the Lord promised you, and what you have a RIGHT to stand on and remind the Lord of
Psalm 119:165 New King James Version
165 Great peace have those who love Your law,
And [a]nothing causes them to stumble.
2. Blames people vs identifies the enemy
a. flesh? Enemy? Fear?
i. You can’t destroy what you don’t identify
ii. You can’t conquer what you don’t confront
Romans 8:6 New King James Version
6 For to be [a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
b. Sometimes your enemy is the devil, MOST of the time the enemy is your carnal way of thinking
3. Surrenders in Prayer vs Persists in Prayer
a. Well God if it isn’t your will….
b. Every time you THINK about it, PRAY about it, until it’s over
e. Watch, Wait and Believe – Isaiah 37:8-9 & 36-38
i. Faith has feet
Exodus 14:13-15 New King James Version
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation[a] of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold[b] your peace.”
15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
1. Pray for rain, prepare the fields
2. The people arose early the next morning (Isaiah 37:36)
a. Wake up early and expectant when you’re facing peace thieves
III. Guard Your Peace, Until Peace Guards You
Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version
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.
a. Get Your Peace Back
i. You are not to be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING
1. Not only in what makes you anxious, but in every situation and circumstance
a. You’re building a habit
b. Train hard, don’t try hard
b. Make your requests known to God with Thanksgiving
i. This will foster the growth of the faith you may lack
c. Then peace will guard your heart and mind
i. It surpasses understanding because it doesn’t make sense in the minds of others looking at your situations and circumstances
