How to Be a Peacemaker Without Being a Doormat - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - December 15, 2025
iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women
Audio By Carbonatix
By Vivian Bricker, Crosswalk.com
"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).
Growing up, I tried to remain at peace with everyone around me. Sometimes, this caused me to go along with things that I shouldn't have, yet my goal was to maintain peace. When we examine the Bible and its emphasis on peace, we begin to understand that being a peacemaker does not mean we allow people to use us as a doormat. Although this is common, we should not allow people to exploit our kindness.
Being a peacemaker means that we try to preserve the peace of the Lord. If anyone tries to advocate peace without the Lord, we know their efforts will be futile. Peace comes from the Lord, and it is non-existent without Him (John 14:27). The peace that the Lord gives will never waver or fade away. It will always be present with us, and it surpasses our own understanding (Philippians 4:7).
When we strive to be peacemakers in our own lives, we must remember that peacemakers seek to maintain peace, not at their own expense. As mentioned, many people will try to abuse our efforts. Instead of being kind and considerate, they will use us. God doesn't want this to happen; therefore, we must become more knowledgeable about peacemakers.
As we are trying to be peacemakers, we need to reflect on the Bible. Being peaceful doesn't mean everyone will get along with us, but it does mean that we will try to live at peace with all people (Romans 12:18). We will not start useless arguments or problems (Philippians 2:12-16). Instead, we will strive to achieve peace and maintain it.
Just because we think we might have obtained peace doesn't mean it will last forever. This is why we must try to preserve the peace and to continue to cultivate it. Each day will be a challenge, yet we are not alone in our journey. God will help us as we strive to live in peace with others. Peacemakers bring glory to God because they follow His example.
God is peaceful, loving, and compassionate; however, He is also righteous and holy. God will not tolerate His children being stepped on because they have chosen the way of peace. In the same way, He does not want us to tolerate mistreatment either. If we are living in peace with others and someone is mean to us or abuses our kindness, we don't have to stay in the situation.
We can remove ourselves from this situation and start surrounding ourselves with other peaceful individuals. Unfortunately, those who choose not to be peacemakers can rub off on those who are peacemakers. In this way, many people can be led astray from a life of peace due to the negative influence of others.
It is common for good to be influenced by evil. Therefore, be aware of your limits and refrain from exceeding them. If we are surrounding ourselves with people who are abusive of our kindness, treating us as doormats, or trying to influence us negatively, we need to walk away. Even if we think we can turn these individuals away from their wicked ways, we cannot.
Only God can bring about this change in a person, and the person must be willing to change themselves. This can be a long journey for many people, but one thing we can do is pray for them. We can pray for them to come to know the Lord, to follow the way of peace, and to become peacemakers in their own lives. While this might not sound like much, our prayers can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
The half-brother of the Lord tells us, "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18). As James says in this passage, peacemakers who sow in peace will reap a harvest of righteousness. Sowing in peace means doing everything with a peaceful heart. Never should we try to "get even." Choosing to live at peace with others will extend the Lord's love.
By being peacemakers who sow in peace, we will reap a harvest of righteousness. Being a peacemaker means we avoid useless arguments, we are kind to everyone, and we love as Jesus does. Jesus is the exact embodiment of a peacemaker, and we would do well to follow His example. In fact, He says that peacemakers are children of God (Matthew 5:9). Even though some days will be more complex than others, the Lord will help us become peacemakers.
"Dear Jesus, I want to become a peacemaker who sows in peace, but I'm not sure where to start. Please help me to follow You in everything I do and to bring You glory. Whenever I'm tempted not to be peaceful, I bring my heart back to You. I praise You, and I thank You. Amen."
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.
Related Resource: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life | Midweek Prayer (John 14:1–6)
When our hearts feel troubled, Jesus invites us to trust Him again.
This short midweek prayer creates space to pause, breathe deeply, and return to Jesus’s words in John 14:1–6, where He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In this guided prayer, we acknowledge the places where worry, uncertainty, or longing have unsettled our hearts and bring them honestly before God.
Jesus reminds us that we are not alone—that He is with us, that He is preparing a place for us, and that He will return for us. As we pray, we ask for help to trust Him more deeply and to follow Him in the way He has already made clear: to love God fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Take a few quiet minutes to slow down, listen for God’s invitation, and rest in the presence of the One who leads us in truth and life. If you like what you hear, follow So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
