I used to read the Bible and silently, but not-so-humbly, pat myself on the back whenever I read the word “peacemaker.” “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). Good job, Sarah. You are a true peacemaker.
Added to that, everyone keeps talking about their enneagram and I finally took the test and guess what I got? Nine – the peacemaker!
I’ve always had a peaceable personality and I can’t think of any instances where I’ve raised my voice at someone. Therefore, I assumed I was a peacemaker.
But I was wrong.
Being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker is not the same. One runs from conflict. The other runs TOWARD it to create peace. Peacemakers actively pursue peace. Peacekeepers, well, keep it by not doing anything controversial.
A peacemaker, from a Biblical perspective, is one who is actively trying to reconcile people to God and to one another. Again, there is that word actively. It’s about helping people reconcile who have broken relations among themselves, but more importantly, with God.
So, after admitting I’m more of a conflict-avoider than an actual peacemaker, I set off to find out how to become one.
5 Characteristics of a Peacemaker
1.) Peace rules in their own heart.
Peacemakers cannot create peace among others if they do not first start with peace in their own hearts. How are we to calm wars and tempers or reconcile with another if we have battles raging in our own hearts?
That’s not to say we won’t hit seasons where we have to focus on our own internal battles but if we desire to create peace among others we must find it in Christ alone first.
But how do we grab ahold of this peace? We surrender to Jesus and let His peace fill us.
Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Practically – just tell God that you are surrendering a stressful situation or disagreement to Him and ask Him to fill you with His peace instead of your worry. That simple? Sometimes it might be, other times it might not. But I can tell you it’s a huge start in the right direction.
After that meditate on these truths to cultivate peace in your life:
- The world’s peace is temporary. God’s peace is eternal
- The world’s peace is based on circumstances. God’s peace is already given to us.
**Before I go any further, make sure to grab my eBook, Pursue Simple! It’s a 7-week devotional to simplify your life and pursue God more. I promise it will help you grow in your faith!
2.) Peacemakers are active, not passive.
Here’s an example. Let’s say two neighbors are fighting. To keep the peace (at least for yourself) you might avoid one or both of them. Or maybe even nod your head in agreement when they complain about the other person to temporarily keep the peace at that moment. But that’s an appeaser. Not a peacemaker.
Actively try to see all sides and why they think/feel/believe that way. Look for overlapping views or areas where there could be a compromise.
A true peacemaker would try to bring the two parties together, disarm them of their weapons, and work through the hard stuff with them to help them reconcile. That’s putting in the peacekeeping work.
If interested, here is an article written on how to be a disciple in today’s world!
3.) Gentle
Can you imagine a hostile peacekeeper? No. A peacekeeper must be gentle or else no one is going to listen to them, go to them for advice, or reconcile with them.
As a peacekeeper, we must be willing to listen and slow and careful in how we respond. People’s feelings may be involved or it might be a sensitive topic.
Also, we will not always agree with people. Sometimes agreeing to disagree, politely, is all we can do to keep the peace. And that’s OK.
4.) Resolute in the truth
While peacekeepers are open to hearing all sides, they are NOT willing to set aside God’s truth to appease someone else. Muting our own convictions and affirming someone else’s if it goes against ours can be just as wrong.
Seek out what the Bible says about a certain situation before diving in. Ask the Holy Spirit to help guide you. But always stick to God’s truth (notice I didn’t say “your truth” because what the heck is that anyway?) and what the Bible says.
5. ) Patient
Lastly, a “harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Peacemaking can be messy. It is hard dirty work. In 1781 Ben Franklin wrote to John Adams, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ is, I suppose, for another world. In this world, they are frequently cursed.”
Unfortunately, that’s true.
If you are trying to reconcile with someone else or trying to help two parties reconcile, things can get messier before they get better. Be willing to not only work through that mess but to be able to walk away but be patient too. Sometimes all we can do is plant seeds and wait for God to grow them and bring about a harvest in His own time.
But if we’re patient, peacemaking can be divine work.
How to Become a Peacemaker
Do you consider yourself a peacemaker? The good news is even if not (that’s me) we can become one by surrendering to God and following emulating the above traits.
Here are some practical steps to get us in the right direction.
When We Need to Make Peace with Someone Else
Do you currently need to make peace with someone in your life today? Work through these above points with that situation in mind and then wrestle with the questions below.
We must ask ourselves:
- Why do I make cutting remarks to another person?
- Why do I make demeaning remarks about them?
- What causes my resentment toward that person?”
- Why do I continue to nurse hurts by that person instead of forgiving them?
- What is it that causes me to be envious or jealous of that person?”
What next?
1.) Take it to God. Surrender the broken relationship to Him and let Him know you want to fix it!
2.) Initiate. Take the lead in reaching out to the person to reconcile or start building up a relationship.
3.) Stop talking bad about the other person or situation to others. You can always find someone ready and willing to validate your opinion. That’s not going to bring about peace but only more conflict.
And remember: When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Psalm 16:7)
Last points…
Are you currently trying to help two people or groups reconcile? Work through these points again with THAT situation in mind.
Can you think of a current situation in our world that could use more peace? How could we apply these traits of a peacemaker to that situation?
Let’s Connect! Facebook || Pinterest || Instagram
I avoid conflict but I’m not a peacemaker. I would love to have the characteristics of one though. God is good!
Me too me too!
No, I don’t think I’m a peacemaker…but I have to say I’m not a fighter! I can be both, but, in general, I’m a really peaceful person.
I want to do an enneagram test, but I am definitely NOT this – maybe a peace keeper, but probably just an avoider. I really want to do one of those tests!
haha I’ve done my fair share of avoiding!
As a fellow nine I just love the perspective on this! So good to see the difference in keeping vs making peace
Hello niner!
I would like to aim to be this, need patience though which is what gets me into trouble. Great post!
I’m definitely NOT the peacemaker! I try to be, but I am not.
Oh my! I always thought I was a peacemaker but this was definitely a wake up call. I’m pretty much an avoider to protect my own inner peace rather than making peace for the situation. Thank you for the enlightenment!
Same. Same!
“One runs from conflict. The other runs TOWARD it to create peace. Peacemakers actively pursue peace. Peacekeepers, well, keep it by not doing anything controversial.“ —Such a great statement!!! Such awesome advice here. I love the steps you take us through.
thank you so much!
Thank you for the article. That’s a really good distinction between peacemakers and peacekeepers – I never thought of it that way. 🙂
I’m a peacemaker too, and I identified this as a trait that God intended me to use for His purposes! When I was young, I was probably a little over zealous. But, one thing I’ve noticed at my older age now: I have more avoidance of these situations because I get a physical response to stress, such as higher blood pressure. I can’t believe that I read your article exactly in the week in which I’ve been praying about this. I don’t think it’s a coincidence! Your words have inspired me to grab hold of this again!
Teresa, I am so glad!
I just want to say WOW! I needed this for the longest. I tend to walk away and even though I’ve learned to not let things bother me, to just be calm, patient, and quiet, I end up being the appeaser. Not the peacemaker. I appreciate this post!
Sounds like we’re in the same boat!
This article blessed me because all this time I thought I was being a peacemaker not knowing what a true peacemaker was biblically, but I was being a peacekeeper and as a peacekeeper all the avoidance and not handling situations as they pertained to me when needed began to affect me over time because there was no true resolve. Now I believe in picking your battles but I will no longer avoid addressing issues that need to be addressed. As far as a peacemaker is concerned, I will definitely have to pray about that but the peace keeping is over.
“Peacemakers cannot create peace among others if they do not first start with peace in their own hearts. ” these words touched my heart, and it reminded to first be peaceful in family rather than solve another person problem .
So glad – thank you for stopping by!
At Point #3, you began using Peacekeeper instead of Peacemaker. I found that a bit confusing.
I noticed this too. I didn’t find it confusing, because I realized what she meant. But it did make me stop and think how often I use the terms interchangeably, even though I know there is a difference. I want to remain aware of this, and try to break the habit.
This is so powerful.. when I was in my teenage I was told in my dream that I was born to serve now I didn’t know and what it meant to be and sometimes even up to now i ask myself if am serving or not..I always strive to live this life now I don’t know whether am there or not yet.. looking at myself I don’t engage myself in any conflict matter what I always look for a solution in every situation I see around me.when I find kids fighting I make sure I end the fight and council them..am really happy for this article
Sarah, thanks so much! You’re helping busy dad’s too and not only busy mum’s! Lol! I am a man, and I chanced upon your article at a turbulent time in my marriage life. The Holy Spirit lead me to Mat. 5:9 and I began to search for the true meaning of who a peacemaker is in biblical terms. Now I realize after reading your article that I was just trying to be a peacekeeper and not a peacemaker. I will recoil into my own ‘selfish’ corner and wouldn’t talk to my spouse just to avoid conflict. It helps temporarily but doesn’t and produce give a lasting peace. I’m on my way to being a peacemaker henceforth. Thanks for allowing God to use you to teach us. Stay blessed.