The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace

By John Scheda

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV

We usually associate peace with stillness, quietness, or a lack of turmoil.  In the natural sense that would be so but God’s peace is supernatural and is experienced in a walk of faith.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of unseen things.  Supernatural peace can be experienced in the midst of turmoil and even chaos in the natural realm.  Faith sees the peace that does not appear in the natural.    

In Matthew 8:23-27, we find Jesus enjoying a peaceful rest.   Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"

26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. NKJV

The disciples did not experience the supernatural peace that Jesus did.  They were overcome with fear and panic because of the great storm.  Jesus pointed out their lack of faith as reason for their fear.  Like the disciples, many of us walk in the natural realm and respond fearfully to whatever disturbances come our way.  We need the supernatural peace of God in our lives.

Paul was also in a storm, aboard a ship that was battered to pieces by the violent wind and waves.  In Acts 27, Paul was being transported as a prisoner headed for Italy.  In route, the ship became overwhelmed by the storm and most of the crew lost their composure and were about to abandon ship, but Paul, having supernatural peace, stood up and convinced the crew to ride it out.

Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." NKJV

Paul was walking in faith and supernatural peace.  Many think that when Jesus rebuked his disciples for lack of faith it was as if they should have spoken to the wind and waves to be still instead of waking Jesus.  I believe that Jesus was walking in supernatural peace and wanted his disciples to experience the same.  Paul did not speak to the wind or waves but displayed peace in the midst of the chaos.  Peace enabled him to think clearly and to instruct others how to be saved.    

Jesus said “peace be still.” It was the peace that was in Him that gave Him authority over the wind and waves.  He had overcome the storm even before He commanded it to be still. If we want this same kind of supernatural peace we must abide in, and remain closely connected to, Jesus.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and we will only bear this kind of fruit as we are intimately one with Him.