The Peace Diffuser

By Danny Saavedra

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”—Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Diffusers are astonishingly useful to modern life. This tool—in its various incarnations—is used to distribute the light of a lamp evenly throughout a room, to ensure an entire area gets air conditioning as it emanates from a single vent, or to spread a nice fragrance or soothing oil into a room. Essentially, this device takes in a substance like light or air and spreads it around in all directions so it can be seen, felt, experienced, and enjoyed by all.

Today, as we examine the seventh Beatitude, I want you to keep this image of a diffuser in mind. Why? Because that’s pretty much what Jesus is describing. When He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” what He’s actually calling us to be is peace-diffusers to those around us. Where do I see that? Let’s break it down . . .

The Greek word for peacemaker is eirēnopoioi, which means “pacific, loving peace; one who bravely declares the Word of God and the harmony of God, which makes someone whole.” So it’s not just someone who is peaceable themselves, who has the peace and wholeness of God in them. It goes beyond that because a peacemaker is also someone who lives in a way that promotes peace with others and invokes peace in others.

It's a word that describes the believer as they transform from peace-receiver to peace-diffuser. And now, as one Bible commentary put it, “God is thus seen reflected in them; and by the family likeness these peacemakers are recognized as the children of God.”

To me, one of the key aspects in the process of going from peace-receiver to peace-diffuser is that it’s a natural byproduct of our study of His Word and our commitment to prayer. It’s the result of the one who has the spiritual self-awareness seen in the first three Beatitudes (“poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” “the meek”), of the one who hungers and thirsts to know Jesus intimately, to live like Him, and to embrace His heart for others.

You see, when we walk in relationship with Him, we grow to know Him, love Him, and be like Him more and more. Our lives, our speech, our attitudes, and the way we treat others begins to change.

As His Spirit begins to pour into us, His Spirit will also begin to pour out of us. That’s why Paul tells us in Romans 8:14 (NIV), “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” His Spirit instills in us the peace of God that surpasses understanding and diffuses it into the world.

So, as children of God, I believe it’s our job to regularly evaluate what we’re diffusing into the world. Just like your air conditioner’s filter needs to be cleaned before the diffuser can send out clean, cool air, our internal filter needs to be dusted off and washed to clear out the gunk and dirt accumulated from the world.

Pause: What are you doing to diffuse peace into your sphere of influence?

Practice: As you go about your week, ask the Lord to give you the patience, grace, compassion, and love necessary to be an effective peace-diffuser and to be intentional about it in your interactions.

Pray: Father, before going to the cross, Jesus said to His disciples and by extension to me, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). It’s a peace that surpasses understanding. Not simply the absence of conflict, but much more than that, it’s harmony with You and wholeness through the work of Your Son. Today, may You provide me with opportunities to reflect this peace and live in such a way that it’s seen, felt, experienced, and enjoyed by those around me so they may receive Your peace through Jesus themselves. Amen.