Which One Are You?

There are three types of people in the world when it comes to peace. There are PEACE BREAKERS, PEACE FAKERS, and PEACE MAKERS. Which one are you? Let me explain each of them.

Peace Breakers: These are the types of people who cause conflict and may actually even enjoy it. I've heard of a book that gives people a name of an animal, based on their personality. The Peace Breaker would be like a lion. Satan is described as such in 1 Peter 5:8, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The Peace Breaker isn't content with calmness, but delights in turmoil.

Peace Fakers: Peace Fakers are the type of people that pretend everything is fine, even though it's not. There may be conflict around, but these people don't see the conflict. Maybe they don't see it because they don't want to see it or maybe they aren't involved enough to even know there is a conflict or a problem. But, pretending everything is okay when it's not is just as big of a problem as causing conflict as a Peace Breaker would do! Some Peace Fakers realize there is a problem, but they don't believe it is their business or responsibility to help resolve the conflict. But by denying conflict or trying to delay confrontation, it's really just adding to the problem. A Peace Faker is really not being truthful, but living a lie. "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Ephesians 4:25

Peace Makers: A Peace Maker is what God wants each of us to be. If we are a child of God, that's what He expects us to be. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9 Being a Peace Maker may not always be the easy thing to do. In fact, it may be really, really hard! How can you become a Peace Maker and not be a Peace Breaker or a Peace Faker?

1. Acknowledge that God is in control, not you.
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." 1 Chronicles 29:11

2. Get rid of all selfishness and pride.
Your way (and my way) may not always be the right way. Maybe it is, but just maybe it isn't.
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

3. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. It may keep you from sinning!
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20
"In your anger do not sin." Ephesians 4:26

4. Acknowledge conflict when it is really present.
Don't pretend things are okay when they are not. Jesus was a peace maker and as Christians, we should be striving to follow His example.
"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18

5. Make a concentrated effort to resolve any conflict.
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Matthew 18:15(Verses 16 & 17 go into further details about resolving the conflict).

6. Pray for peace in your life (home/family/work/church), in your relationships, and in the world.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

7. Acknowledge, again, that God is in control.
Some conflict is present and you and I will never be able to do anything about it. We can live at peace knowing that God is in control, even during troubling times.
"You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end." Matthew 24:6

Question: So, which one are you?

I am grateful for those who are PEACE MAKERS. Visit HeavenlyHomemakers to see what others are grateful for on this GRATITUESDAY!