We need to remind ourselves that we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires in order for us to enjoy the peaceful relationship in our lives. It means we are dead to the fleshly desire and deny it from fulfilling its passions and lusts by walking in the Spirit
Romans 12:17-18 (NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men
The flesh would want an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth when evil and injustice is done towards us. If we are not careful then contentious thoughts will develop in our minds regarding what the person has done or said to us. The devil will play into our emotions and we will become very irrational in our minds. We will not process very well and we will be selective in our hearing. Therefore, when we walk in the Spirit, we will pursue peace with the people who have offended us. The Bible says that it is dependent on us not the Lord because He has empowered us to walk in the Spirit and not gratify the desire of the flesh!
When there is betrayal in a marriage, the period of restoration will take years to restore the lost trust. The loss of trust will stir up anger, hatred and contention. There will be a lot of emotional turmoil in the person who has been betrayed. The other party will attempt to justify and be contentious about the whole event. There will be no peace in the family. The fruit of the Holy Spirit will help us during this time to exercise self-control to maintain the peace and to acknowledge that the healing of the soul will take time. There will be many instances where exercising self-control will bring about peace.
The commandment given to us, to love our neighbors as ourselves helps us to live peaceably with all men because God has given us the ability to do it. Therefore, if we have issue with one another, any hint of division in the family, church, cell group or between the marriage partner then God expects us to deal with it as matured believers.
Sermon Series: Peace – Fruit of the Holy Spirit
行在灵的平安里
加拉太书5:22-26 圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、 23温柔、节制。这样的事没有律法禁止。 24凡属基督耶稣的人，是已经把肉体连肉体的邪情私欲同钉在十字架上了。 25我们若是靠圣灵得生，就当靠圣灵行事。 26不要贪图虚名，彼此惹气，互相嫉妒
肉体乃是胃口、欲望、愿望和需求的总和, 其目的就是自我满足, 是我们生活中那些企图独立于神之外, 企图不顺服神的私欲。
我们需要提醒自己, 我们已经把肉体连肉体的私欲同钉在十字架上了, 这样生命才能蒙福得平安。这意味着通过在灵里与主同行，肉体的欲望已死去,私欲的捆绑也被挪走了。
罗马书12:17-18 不要以恶报恶；众人以为美的事要留心去做。 18若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦。
当恶行和不公正临到我们的时候, 肉体希望以眼还眼以牙还牙。 假设我们不够警醒, 针对他人对我们的言语和行为, 我们脑海里就会形成好战的想法。撒旦将利用我们的情绪攻击我们, 我们会变得非常不理性。 我们处理问题的能力下降, 我们的聆听变得有选择性。 因此, 当我们在灵里与主同行,即便是冒犯到我们的人, 我们也会追求与其和平相处。 圣经说, 决定在于我们, 而不在于主, 因为祂已经赋能于我们, 使我们可以在灵里与主同行, 并且不被肉体欲望所驱动。
当婚姻中有背叛, 重建被损的信任需要很多年的修复。 信任缺失将引发愤怒, 憎恨和争吵。被背叛的一方情绪动荡, 而另一方则试图证明整个事件的合理性, 争吵不休。家庭不会有安宁。圣灵的果子将帮助我们在此期间自我节制, 保守平安, 并承认灵魂的愈合需要时间。 在很多情况下, 行使自我节制将带来平安。
主耶稣给我们的诫命, 爱人如己, 帮助我们与众人和睦相处，因为神已经赐予了我们能力。 因此，如果我们彼此有矛盾，家庭、教会、小组或婚姻伴侣之间有任何不合的迹象，那么神期待我们作为成熟的信徒来应对。
讲章系列: 和平 （平安）– 圣灵所结的果子