Fruit of the Spirit — Peace
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are introduced in Galatians 5:22-23 as the fruit of the Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, we see the fruit of the Spirit produced. Displaying the fruit of the Spirit is not something we can try to have on our own. The fruit manifests only through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is a direct reflection and result of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
What does it mean to have the type of peace that Paul describes as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? Many people in this world strive after peace, but only true peace can come with a relationship with Jesus, as we see from Romans 5:1,
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
Have you encountered a person going through a terrible situation – perhaps a serious illness or injury – who seems so positive and calm despite their predicament? When asked how they remain so positive and calm through their circumstance, they respond that they trust God to heal them and provide for them, whatever that looks like, according to His will. That is true peace! A peace that surpasses all understanding, just like Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7,
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
This type of peace is precisely what he’s talking about in Galatians 5:22-23. Our relationship with Jesus is what gives us hope and peace. When we trust that Jesus – the only way to have a relationship with God – died for our sins, we know He will go before us and provide for all our needs!
Scripture tells us many times that we will walk through trials and hard times, so how can we respond to these trials with peace? The more we are in community with God and close to Him, the more peace we will experience. Hebrews 12:2 instructs us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” When we shift our focus from being on ourselves to focusing on Jesus, His peace will fill us!
Trust in God’s promises and His provision. While we may walk through situations that are hard to understand, we know the One who has redeemed us from the world! Jesus says in John 14:27,
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
