The operative word in Colossians 3:15 is "rule." Let the peace of God rule in your heart. Look at the Amplified translation: "And let the peace from Christ rule (act as the umpire) continually, in your hearts. Let that peace decide and settle with finality all questions that arise in your mind."
One way to stay pure is to follow peace. You may be dating the finest looking person you've ever seen in your life. You say, "They have money, honey. They have a job. They go to church. I know God must have sent this."
He or she may be all that, but it doesn't necessarily mean God sent them. You can have two godly people, filled with the Holy Ghost and in the Word of God. Both can belong to a Bible believing church. But they are not God's plan for each other.
Of course, you want to involve yourself with someone who is of similar background. There's no sense in you, a tongue talking, healing believing believer dating somebody not filled with the Holy Ghost; and doesn't believe in anything you believe in. That's crazy. They're not the right one for you. You're talking about your life. You need to be with somebody that you have strong commonality with for the rest of your life regarding the most important thing in your life - God.
Follow peace in your spirit. When a relationship is right for you, you'll have peace. Follow that peace. You'll have peace to go, or not to go to a certain place, because you've been praying. God leads children in their spirit. Romans 8:14 says, "As many as are lead by the spirit of God are the sons of God." It did not say, as many as are pushed, because God will not push you. He will not throw you down. He will not drag you. He will not kick you. He will gently lead you.
Someone may say, "God, if you don't want me in this relationship then pull me away." He won't. He told you to flee if trouble is lurking. And He told you to follow peace. If you don't have peace in your spirit - you have that not-so-good intuition on the inside in your spirit - then flee. Don't follow your feelings. Your feelings will lead you right to Hell.
Follow peace. It will lead you to everlasting life and prosperity.
Study reference: Romans 8:14; John 16:13
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
