Peace in Heart and Mind | Romans 12:14-21, John 14:27

Today we’re talking about how you and I can have peace in our hearts and in our minds. It is possible! I know there have been studies that say that negative thoughts stick to our brains like Velcro, and positive thoughts bounce off our brains like Teflon, but we are new creations! God has transformed us into new creatures. Similar to how the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, so we can learn how to think differently, and it often starts with choosing peace between us and other people.

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Transcription:

You know what the smallest battlefields in the world are? The human heart and the human brain. Both measure about five inches across, but isn’t that where the fight is every single day? Hi, it’s the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host, and today we’re going to talk about how you and I can have peace in our hearts; in our minds. It is possible. Now, I know there have been studies that say that negative thoughts stick to our brains like Velcro, and positive thoughts bounce off our brains like Teflon. But we are new creations. That’s what the Bible says we are. We are new creations. God has transformed us into new creatures, similar to how the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, so we can learn how to think differently, and it often starts with choosing peace between us and other people. So dive in with me now.

We’re going to the deep end of the pool today. We’re going to be in Romans chapter 12, beginning in verse 14. This is the apostle Paul coming alongside us, putting his arms around us and saying, “You can have peace in your heart today.” Here’s how. Alright?

Bless those who persecute you.

Okay? I didn’t say it was going to be easy.

Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Now, that word everyone is kind of tricky, isn’t it? Actually, it’s not. It means everyone. You can underline it. You can put it in italics and in bold. Yes, this is what God is asking us. Do all that we can do to live in peace with everyone. It is not easy, but remember, we have a helper. We have the Holy Spirit who is living inside of us. That same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you and alive in me. If you have given your life to Jesus, if you have accepted his love, then you can live in peace with even the most difficult people. So let’s continue on and see what else Paul has to say here. Verse 19.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Now, I want to stop here for just a moment, pitch a very small tent and go back to something we talked about a few weeks ago about letting that person who hurt us, maybe that person who continues to hurt us, (I get that by the way.) I totally understand. I really do. But letting that person off the hook and putting them on God’s hook, that is a picture that continues to help me in my struggles. I know that sometimes you can forgive the person for what they did in the past, but when the behavior continues in the present, oh, it’s enough to make you crazy, right? But we’ve got to put it in the hands of the Lord. The Lord is going to deal with it. We don’t want to take matters into our own hands. He knows what’s best. He is the God who sees. May I encourage you with that today? He sees everything. He misses nothing. If you are not being treated right, if someone is taking advantage of you, the Lord isn’t turned around eating lunch and missing it. He sees it, and we do reap what we sow. We don’t wish any harm on anyone, but we know that the Lord is keeping accounts and we can trust him. We can have peace in our hearts knowing that our case is on God’s desk. He sees and he will deal. But the apostle Paul continues to give us some advice here in verse 20.

Instead,

Okay. So instead of taking revenge,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Okay? Wow. How do we conquer evil by doing good? Well, I want to go back to verse 18.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Sometimes you and I have to rise above the negative feelings in our hearts. I was talking about the battlefields when we began our time together today. I know, sometimes the worst battles you and I fight in life take place between our ears. In that five inches of brain space, in that five inches of heart space. God can put peace in your heart. Remember what Jesus promised us? I know you’ve got a lot to remember. So let’s turn over to John’s gospel, chapter 14, verse 27. This is Jesus speaking to you. Just let his words wash over you right now like a warm breeze going by.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

That’s the Lord speaking to you, promising to give you his peace. Okay? So you don’t have to do this alone. Yes, we’re being asked to live in peace as much as it’s possible with everyone around us, but we’ve got the God of the universe who says, “I’m going to help you.” And you know what? Don’t we want peace in our hearts and in our minds? Don’t we want to ceasefire on those two big battlefields? I know I do.

Lord Jesus, we thank you right now that you are the Prince of Peace. Will you reign in my mind and in the mind of my friend listening? Will you reign in my heart and the heart of my friend listening right now? You are good. Jesus, you are so good. We love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Okay, until next time, you are really loved.

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