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Colossians 3:15 - Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Hearts.

Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of 
Christ rule in your hearts...  

Colossians 3:15 (NLT) And let the peace that 
comes from Christ rule in your hearts...  

Colossians 3:15 (AMP) Let the peace of 
Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with 
Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts 
[deciding and settling questions that arise]...  

WORD STUDY

The word 'rule' comes from the language of 
athletics: Paul tells us to let Christ's peace be 
umpire or referee in our hearts. Our hearts are the 
center of conflict because there our feelings and 
desires clash - our fears and hopes, distrust and 
trust, jealousy and love. How can we deal with 
these constant conflicts and live as God wants? 
Paul explains that we must decide between 
conflicting elements by using the rule of peace - which 
choice will promote peace in our souls and in our 
churches. [Life Application SB] 

INTRODUCTION

Christians should live in peace. To live in 
peace does not mean that suddenly all differences 
in opinion are eliminated, but it does require 
that loving Christians work together despite 
their differences. Such love is not a feeling, but 
a decision to meet others' needs (see 1 Cor. 
13). To live in love leads to peace between 
individuals and among the members of the body of 
believers. Do problems in your relationships with other 
Christians cause open conflicts or mutual silence? 
Consider what you can do to heal those relationships 
with love.  [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   In the Old Testament we find the story of 
Gideon, a man whom God chose to lead the Israelites 
into battle. But Gideon was hardly a trained 
warrior. In fact, he was overwhelmed by the task and 
asked God to confirm His word. 
   In effect, Gideon said, Lord, I will 
make You a deal. Tomorrow morning, Ill lay a 
fleece on the ground. And in the morning, if this 
really is Your plan, there will be dew on the 
fleece but not on the ground. Then I will know that 
its Your will. 
   The next morning, there was dew on the 
fleece and not on the ground, just as Gideon had 
asked. But he thought that it might have been a 
coincidence. So, he went back to God and basically said, 
Tomorrow morning, Im asking that it will be the 
other way around. Then I will know that its 
Your plan. So, the next day, there was dew on 
the ground but not on the fleece. 
   God had confirmed His will to Gideon.
   In the same way, you might say, Lord, 
this seems to be Your will, so Im asking You 
to please open the door circumstantially. 
However, dont base your entire situation on 
circumstances, because circumstances can sometimes lead us 
in the wrong direction. 
   Colossians 3:15 tells us, And let the 
peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. 
For as members of one body you are called to 
live in peace. And always be thankful (NLT). 
   The Amplified Bible puts the same verse 
this way: LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST [THE INNER 
CALM OF ONE WHO WALKS DAILY WITH HIM] BE THE 
CONTROLLING FACTOR IN YOUR HEARTS [DECIDING AND SETTLING 
QUESTIONS THAT ARISE]. 
   I have learned to listen to the peace of 
God. Ive been in dangerous situations and have 
felt Gods peace. Then there have been other 
times when I didnt have Gods peace in a 
situation. Instead, I had turmoil in my heart. Ive 
learned to listen to that, because Ive made some 
mistakes by not listening to it. 
   If we want to know the will of God, then 
not only do we need to ask God to give us His 
peace, but we also need to ask Him to open doors 
through circumstances, confirming His Word. We also 
must remember that God will not lead us into 
something that is contrary to what Scripture says. 
   And just as important as the will of God 
is the timing of God. Sometimes He doesnt do 
things as quickly as we want Him to. At other times 
He does things so quickly that we have a hard 
time keeping up. 
   But God is not a distant force with no 
plan or purpose for you. You are uniquely created 
in the image of God, and He has a 
custom-designed plan just for you. He wants to reveal 
Himself to you. And He wants you to enter into a 
friendship with Him. Can you imagine anything better 
than that? [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

COMMENTARY

   Turbulence. The word makes many people 
shudder when used to describe a ride in an airplane. 
Unexpected air movement can give more than a bumpy ride 
- about 58 people in the United States are 
injured each year because of turbulence. And all of 
them have one thing in common - they were not 
wearing their seatbelts. 
   Just as the Federal Aviation 
Administration requires passengers to fasten their 
seatbelts when seated, especially when there is 
turbulence, so Paul admonishes us to "let the peace of 
God rule in your hearts." The Greek word for 
"rule" literally means "to be the umpire." That is, 
when we experience trials in life, when the road 
is rough (or the flight is bumpy), buckle up 
under the peace of God. Let Him call the shots. If 
you follow the Lord's instructions, you will 
experience His calm presence watching over you. Worry 
melts away when we know we are in His hands. 
   Our peace can be disrupted by several 
factors - what's inside us and what's around us. The 
context for today's Bible promise is church life. 
Divisions and conflict occurred back then as they do 
today. Sometimes turbulence comes from within the 
church, sometimes without. That's why when we join 
the "one body" of Christ, we should, "if it is 
possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably 
with all men" (Romans 12:18, emphasis added). 
   So, the next time a flight attendant 
walks down the aisle to check if you've fastened 
your seatbelt, you are urged by Paul to let God's 
peace rule your heart, the peace offered by 
Christ, "not as the world gives" (John 14:27). This 
peace will help keep you safe and calm as you 
travel to your heavenly destination. 
   Lord, rule over my heart, guide my 
emotions, and teach me to live in peace with others. 
[The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing 
Facts] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Colossians 3:15 - Let the Peace of God Rule 
in Your Hearts. 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230130-0851.html 

Philippians 4:6-7 - Peace Beyond 
Understanding. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190511-1519.html 

Isaiah 26:3 - Peace That Surpasses All 
Understanding. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200303-1410.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/