Let’s talk about the peace that we have in Christ and how Satan goes about stealing it.
Romans 5:1 says:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
But how is God’s peace manifested in our lives— how do we walk in peace?
Satan Uses Perspective To Keep You From Having Peace
Satan would have you believe that peace is based on YOUR perspective. That your peace is based on how things are going in your life. How’s your marriage? How’s your family? How’s your finances? How’s your health? How are you? If things aren’t going well then you wonder if God is really there for you. By using the tactic of perspective, Satan is able to steal your peace and cripple your relationship with God.
But God wants us to understand that peace is based on HIS perspective.
God sees the complete picture. He is able to bring peace to your life as you trust him.
Consider this story on perspective.
A farmer had a horse that he used for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills. When the farmer’s neighbors heard about it, they sympathized with the man over his bad luck.
“Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows.” said the farmer.
A week later, the horse returned with a herd of wild horses from the hills. This time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck.
“Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows.” said the farmer.
Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone agreed that this was very bad luck.
Not the farmer, who replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows.”
Some weeks later, an army marched into the village and forced every able-bodied young man to go fight in a bloody war. When they saw that the farmer’s son had a broken leg, they let him stay. Everyone was very happy at the farmer’s good luck.
Good luck? Bad luck? GOD KNOWS!
So as we look at our lives, we won’t always experience peace based on our perspective, so we have to trust God based on His perspective. We have to trust that if He loved us enough to come and die for us, that he loves us enough to watch over us. In this, we have peace, no matter what the circumstances.
Satan Uses Passive Thinking To Keep You From Having Peace
If perspective is one way Satan undermines our peace, passive thinking is another way that Satan undermines God’s peace in our lives.
What is passive thinking?
We think passively when we are not consciously aware of the thoughts we are are thinking.
Passive thoughts come from our sub-conscious mind. Passive thoughts control our behavior. We passively obey what they are suggesting to us. Originating from a time before we received our new nature in Christ, many of these thoughts are based in fear and anger.
As the father of fear and anger, Satan wants to keep our thoughts passive.
To combat this we must learn to make our thoughts active. Active thoughts are thoughts we are consciously aware of. It takes practice to make our thoughts active. At any given time you have to ask yourself, “What am I thinking right now? Are my thoughts based in fear and anger?”
Once we make our thoughts active, then we bring them into the presence of God.
If spiritual health is “Christ in you”, mental health is “You in Christ”— your thoughts in Christ!
When you put your thoughts in Christ, it begins the process of God transforming your mind. God puts His peaceful thoughts in you.
Philippians 4:6-7 says:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
But you have to watch your thoughts and be determined not to be anxious. Keep reprocessing your thoughts and putting them in God’s presence. Have a prayerful heart. Give Him your doubts and fears until He gives you His peace.
This process of renewing our minds is referred to as entering The Secret Place of God.
The Secret Place of God is discussed in Psalms 91. It says:
He who dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.
Psalm 91:2
Those who consistently enter the secret place of God exude peace. It is the hallmark of their lives. That’s because they constantly make their thoughts active and think them in the presence God. They have learned to trust God’s perspective, when things go wrong they don’t worry.
Do you want to be mentally healthy? Then place your thoughts in Christ and He will give you the “feet” to walk in peace.
Ephesians 6: 11 & 15 says:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Shod your FEET with the preparation of the Gospel of PEACE.
Ephesians 6:11, 15
