“Let the peace of Christ RULE in your hearts”. — Colossians 3:17
RULE <brabeuō> means to arbitrate, i.e. to govern (figuratively, to prevail). Paul is using it here to mean: to be an umpire; to decide, determine; to direct, control, rule.
Let’s look at some definitions.
To arbitrate means: to settle (a dispute between two people or groups) after hearing the arguments and opinions of both.
I love the implication of this so much! Think about it. The peace of Christ will settle the dispute between what you “feel” and what you “know” to be true…and then there will be peace — when I CHOOSE to let go of what I “feel” and listen to the calming whispers of the Spirit within me— the result is peace.
What is an umpire? It is an official in a sport who rules on plays. An umpire has the authority to decide finally a controversy or question between parties. An umpire has been appointed to decide between two people or groups who have disagreed.
Think about what happens in a ballgame when someone argues or fights the decision of the umpire. Usually they are disciplined for their attitude/actions. The umpire knows the rules of the game and looks at a play through the perspective of those rules. God knows the standard by which we must live/operate, and He looks at our thoughts/feelings/actions/reactions through the perspective of that Truth. Christ is the one who decides which thoughts have to go and which ones can remain in our hearts and minds.
To decide about something is to make a final choice or judgment about it, while to determine means to fix authoritatively, resolve.
Think about how the judge in a courtroom will determine whether to overrule or sustain an objection. Remember what we studied earlier in this chapter? We were told what to RID ourselves of. God made the determination. He decided what was best for us and consequently for His body. And then in Philippians 4, there is a list of things that meet the criterion of what we can “think on”.
To direct is to point out or prescribe a course or procedure; to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly to follow a straight course. To direct is to regulate the activities or course of something.
Just like a policeman tells you where not to drive as he directs traffic around an accident scene, God gives us direction in His word in order for us to avoid things that could delay our growth or cause us harm. Also consider in a show there is a director telling the cast when and how they should do a scene. God not only gives us the script (His Word), but He tells us how and when to apply it.
To control something is to exercise restraining influence over; it’s to have power over something to regulate it.
If I say “I’ve got it under control”, essentially what I’m saying is that I don’t need anyone else’s help. Well, here God is saying that the peace of Christ is all I need to “get it under control”. No matter what comes my way, doing things God’s way will keep them under control.
The word rule means to exercise supreme authority over, or to be first in importance or prominence.
A king rules because they are the supreme authority of their country. Well, we serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is above all. There is no one higher!! GOD IS GOD and I am NOT.
Is God the Umpire of your heart?