Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Eisegesis: 

When you are trying to make a decision on something, it is important to first ask yourself whether you have peace in your heart about it.

Exegesis:   

In this context, peace refers to relationship dynamics within the church, encouraging believers to let the reconciliatory peace of Christ guide their interactions with one another, especially in times of conflict or misunderstanding.

This verse is often interpreted in a personal and individualistic sense, suggesting that an inner feeling of peace should guide one’s personal decisions and serve as a barometer for determining God’s will. However, this interpretation strays from Paul’s intended message.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In order to understand the context of this verse correctly, we must look at it within the context of the Christian community; the church.

Paul’s purpose in speaking of forbearance and forgiveness was to address the issue of the church at Colossae which was divided having some interpersonal conflict. Due to this division, Paul instructed believers to forgive those who had quarrels with them (v. 13) and to love one another. This is followed immediately by verse 15 which with a call for Christ’s peace to govern relationships within the church community.

Paul reminded the church that keeping their hearts at peace is important since they are called together as one body and rather than fighting and bringing strife, he encourages the body of Christ to forgive and bring peace.

It is clear, from the context, that Paul does not use “peace” as a means for making decisions or knowing God’s will. His message is essentially to find a way to live peacefully with our brothers and sisters everywhere.

Paul’s focus is on corporate peace-that is, harmony and unity among believers, which reflects the peace of Christ.

It is not simply a lack of conflict, but rather a positive, proactive peace that actively works to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Paul is not speaking of subjective feelings, but of the objective peace Christ secured through His death on the cross, which reconciled differing groups (such as Jews and Gentiles) into one.

Overall, Colossians 3:15 points to a communal application, rather than a personal one. A true peace is one that promotes unity and loving relationships within the church, reflecting Christ’s reconciliatory work.

This interpretation is consistent with the themes of love, unity, and peace that run throughout Paul’s epistles and in his instructions to the early Christian communities.

While personal peace can be one factor in discerning God’s will, we must be cautious not to rely on it as the sole indicator. A false sense of peace can often accompany disobedience or complacency, leading us away from God’s intended path. Consider Jonah as an example: he deliberately ran from God’s clear command to preach repentance to Nineveh. Despite his rebellion, Jonah found himself able to sleep soundly in the hold of a ship, even as it sailed into a dangerous storm sent by God to intervene and stop Jonah from fleeing (Jonah 1:5-6).

Jonah’s peace in that moment was not a sign of being in God’s will but rather a reflection of his indifference to the consequences of his disobedience. This teaches us that a sense of peace can sometimes come from ignoring responsibility or suppressing guilt, rather than walking in obedience to God. True peace aligns with God’s Word and His Spirit’s conviction, not with what feels easy or convenient.

Therefore, while inner peace can be a helpful indicator, it must always be tested against the truths of Scripture, godly counsel, and the circumstances God provides. Jonah’s example warns us to evaluate whether our peace is rooted in obedience or is merely a false sense of security masking rebellion.

Relying on our inner feelings of peace can be subjective and potentially misleading. Our emotions are influenced by many factors, such as personal desires, fears, and circumstances, which may not necessarily reflect God’s will. As Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Therefore, we must ground our decisions in God’s Word and seek His guidance through prayer, rather than relying solely on our feelings.

“I had peace about it!” is not sufficient evidence that we are in God’s will. Genuine discernment requires more than just a feeling of peace. We must pray earnestly, surrender our desires to His will, and seek His guidance in the Scriptures. Additionally, we should seek wise counsel from mature believers and evaluate our decisions in light of God’s character and purposes. True peace is not a mere absence of inner conflict but is rooted in alignment with God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.