"Seek God: NOT Things! Session 9 Part 2 - B-1-2 'Subjective Peace'"

[Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

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II. Main Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:1,27; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7:

 B-1-2. "Subjective Peace"  – Session 9 - John MacArthur goes on to explain what “subjective peace” is, in his teaching, “The Gift of Peace;” he said subjective peace “is a supernatural, permanent, positive, no-side-effects, divine tranquilizer. This peace is the heart's calm after Calvary's storm. It is the firm conviction that He who spared not His own Son will also along with Him freely give us all things (cf. Romans 8:32).

John MacArthur continues to say, under the same subtopic, “The Nature of Peace,” that the peace in Philippians 4:7, is the same kind of peace, as in John 14:27; subjective, or experimental peace.

This is what Philippians 4:6-7 says, “⁶ Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]” (AMP).

John MacArthur said that the peace of God is not based on circumstance like the world’s peace, so it doesn’t make sense to the carnal mind; Paul says it is a peace that surpasses comprehension. In the NASB95 version,  Philippians 4:7 says: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Subjective peace is divine, supernatural peace; it cannot be figured out on a human level.

John MacArthur goes on to explain in “The Gift of Peace” teaching, the meaning of the word “guard” in Philippians 4:7; this is what he said: “The word for "guard" in Philippians 4:7 is not the word that means to "watch," or "keep imprisoned." It is a word that is often used in a military sense, meaning "to stand at a post and guard against the aggression of an enemy." When peace is on guard, the Christian has entered an impregnable citadel from which nothing can dislodge him. The name of the fortress is Christ, and the guard is peace. The peace of God stands guard and keeps worry from the corroding our hearts, and unworthy thoughts from tearing up our minds.”

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God's Blessings,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks