• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Peace of mind

Peace of mind

Posted on October 22, 2010 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Romans 8:6 (ESV)

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I read a definition of sin which was attributed to Soren Kierkegaard. He said something to the effect of “sin is taking a good thing and putting it in the place of God.”

The effect of this is disappointment. In a fallen world, if I look to a person (other than God), thing or action to fulfill me, I will end up disappointed. People will let  me down, things will break and I will never accomplish enough to feel satisfied.

It is only when I am looking to God for my validation and seeking satisfaction in deepening my relationship with him that I even begin to approach a sense of peace.

The opposite condition is one of fear. Fear that I will be let down, therefore I cannot trust. Fear that I will fail, therefore I should not try. Fear that my stuff will break or get lost, therefore I must watch over it.

The verses above remind me that a mind set on God is the only mind that can truly be at peace. Peace that is not just the absence of conflict, but peace that means wholeness and joyful life.

Therefore, I can be free of the need to please people. I can be free of the fear of criticism. I don’t need to accomplish anything to achieve peace.

I can live my life in a day-by-day, minute-by-minute response to God while becoming more sensitive to his leading. He promises to lead me to peace. How cool is that?


Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: Fear

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

The church is not the only army that shoots its wounded

I have heard it said that the church is the only army that shoots its wounded. After hearing all the fuss about Adrian Peterson these last few weeks, I now know that this statement is not true. It is not false because the church does not shoot her wounded. It is false because the church is not alone in this behavior.

Question 19

What is the misery of man’s fallen condition?

But those of us who are in Christ and have accepted his provision for us have had that guilt removed. We are no longer under condemnation (see Romans 8:1). We can begin to rise above the misery of this life and experience joy in our relationship with God.

Getting caught in the blame game – Part 2

If evolution is true on what basis do we blame others? Where does the need to blame come from? This post is part 2 of a 2 part series.

Banquet

Absent From the Great Banquet

The Banquet Table is Set Luke 14:16-24 records the parable of the Great Banquet. The main point of the story is that the invited guests gave lame excuses as to why they could not attend. In the place of the original invitees, the dregs of society are then persuaded to enter into the feast. Jesus […]

Bock on Sainthood

“This sainthood is one of the great benefits of being a recipient of God’s grace. It also reflects a responsibility to act like one who has received this calling.” Darrell Bock I copied this quote down, but unfortunately, I didn’t note in which book I found it. But this is a good reminder that our […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2022 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in