We do not live in a world of peace. Recent conflicts around the world, shooting sprees throughout our nation, and even murders in our hometowns remind us that we live in a world of sin and that with sin comes conflict. On a long-term basis, this is unavoidable. Yes, often conflict is the result of two or more selfish and evil entities battling one another, but sometimes even those who desire peace find themselves having to enter the fray to defend themselves or those worthy of help. We may consider "peace-keeping forces" an oxymoron, but keeping the peace often involves the ability and will to fight. This is no less true in the spiritual realm.
The scriptures have much to say about peace, all of which must be balanced with what they say about the reality of conflict. It is not wrong to long for peace, but to do so unrealistically only gives aid and comfort to those who would take advantage of our unwillingness to fight. The ecumenical movement so predominant in our culture scorns conflict, but in so doing, creates only an artificial peace and gives evil the opportunity to get a foothold.
Martin Luther once said,
"When Christians are not doing battle with the devil ... that is not a good sign. ... Therefore, whoever desires to see the Christian Church existing in quiet peace, entirely without crosses, without heresy, and without factions, will never see it thus, or else he must view the false church of the devil as the real church" (The Three Symbols or Creeds of The Christian Church, 1538).Peace, we want. But any peace movement that gives evil a respite is ill conceived. The spiritual battle is real and there can be no compromise with evil. Thus, in reality, there will be no lasting peace in a world of sin.
In speaking to His apostles just before his arrest Jesus said,
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace," but then He warned them, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33). The peace offered by Jesus is that which is found in Him and reconciles us to our Creator (Eph. 2:14-17). Notice, however, that it was through the conflict, violence and blood of the cross that peace was achieved.The world will call for peace and, perhaps, even declare it, but it is not the peace of scripture. Jeremiah spoke of the religious leaders of his day who would declare
, "Peace, peace!" when there was no peace. They were a people without moral shame who had forgotten how to blush (Jer. 6:14,15).I dare say that we are in a similar situation today. There are those who preach visions of their own hearts instead of the will of God and declare peace for those who despise God's ways (Jer. 23:16,17).
To declare peace when there really isn't any is a superficial attempt to make people feel better when they should be repenting. Instead, we have a multitude of clergy who haven't the moral conviction to preach the truth that calls for genuine repentance and submission. Part of the reason for this is that we have a culture that can't stand to be told that its attitudes and behaviors are wrong. The apostle Paul warned that the time would come when professing Christians would not
"endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Tim. 4:3,4).The call for peace by some on spiritual issues is an attempt to neutralize conflict and controversy. In large part it has worked, and we have reared a generation untaught in the ways of God and unable and unwilling to take a stand against evil.
Jesus said,
"Do not think that 1 came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." Consider His practical application as He said, "A man's foes will be those of his own household" (Matt. 10:34-36). Jesus did not seek to negotiate peace with evil. He sought to defeat it, and did. On whose side do you want to be?Jesus said,
"if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24). He didn't say, "Let him deny his cross and look out for himself." Being a disciple of Jesus means being willing to make sacrifices and face conflicts.Peter warned that there would be false prophets who would secretly bring in destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1-9). The reality is that there will always be those who will oppose what is good. One way to do that is to deceive people into believing that they're getting peace when they're getting poison. Certainly the presence of conflict can be disturbing and sobering, but that is better than allowing evil to rule at will.
"Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God"
(Jas. 4:4). Conflict is unavoidable! Either you are with God or you're against Him. If you're with Him, then you'll have conflict with the world. If you side with the world, then you have conflict with God. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4:6,7).Do not allow the presence of conflict to discourage you. Instead,
"take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13). Be encouraged knowing, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31).Page last updated: March 03, 2003