“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
None of us are born peacemakers. God’s verdict on all men is clear: “Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known” (Rom. 3:16,17) Without God to temper and tame our natural instincts, our mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. We ignite fires with our tongues, and stir up unnecessary strife with our anger: “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Prov. 15:18).
How is it possible to live peaceably with all men, when many of them aggravate us and some infuriate us? How can we get along with those who bother us to no end? “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Do we insist that the world around us change; or, are we willing for God to change us while the world remains the same?
Jesus came into an imperfect world, filled with imperfect people; and though He was angry at times, His response was always a godly one. He was the Prince of Peace because He let the Father rule His spirit.
Peacemaking is an art that must be taught to us by God. “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (Isa. 54:13). Before we open our mouth to man, we must open our ear to God. We must let Him set a watch over our lips. “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3) If the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart would be acceptable in God’s sight, we must let Him be the strength of our heart (Ps. 19:14).
The choice is ours: we can spend our days in peace or strife. We can let ourselves be troubled; or, we can let God speak peace to the storms that arise in our heart, and blessedly avoid trouble with others. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23)
Peace IS possible where the Prince of Peace reigns. Don’t start a fight, and don’t keep one going. By the Spirit of Christ, wage peace, not war.