Fruit of the Spirit – Joy

Fruit of the Spirit – Joy

Would you like to be filled with JOY? You can be.

We are studying about the Fruit of the Spirit. That’s 9 fruit in one. These fruit, which include JOY, are to be what defines our character. So let’s talk about JOY.

Our Key Verses

Galatians 5:22, 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

What is Joy?

We typically think of joy as great happiness. In the Greek, the joy in this passage means CHEERFULNESS, CALM DELIGHT, GLADNESS, (be exceedingly) JOYFUL

This joy comes from the inside. It is not based on our outward circumstances, but instead comes from the Holy Spirit living within us. It is an inward emotion; an inward happiness.

We have the joy of the Lord and we are to share it with others.  Joy makes us different. How? In our conduct. In our heart. In our thoughts.

Joy makes us different.  In our conduct.  In our heart.  In our thoughts.
Christians are to have joy.

We have every reason to have abundant joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

This inward joy, I have to admit, is hard for me. It’s just hard for me to grasp the idea. I think of it as the outward kind. You know, like super happiness, overflowing, showing all over my face. In a sense, that’s right. I mean this joy should produce all those things.

BUT… sometimes my motive is wrong. This joy needs to come from the inside and I should have it no matter what is going on in my life. Even if I’m having an argument with my husband, or a friend is very ill, or my child is sick – no matter what.

Although I know I should have joy during these times, I have a very hard time finding and feeling this joy. Do you know what I mean?

How can we have joy when things are difficult?

The Bible tells us that just because we are believers does not mean that we won’t have trials and difficulties. We will. But, we can rest confident in God.

We can have inward joy during those times because we know that God is with us. He is our strength. He is our comforter. We know that we have eternal life because of Jesus’ death on the cross.

In John 16:21, we see the story of a woman giving birth. During the birth process, she is in pain, but afterward, she has forgotten all about the pain. Instead she is filled with joy.

John 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

We can have joy knowing that all is well between the us and the Lord.

I recently saw it defined this way: JOY = LOVE – FEAR

I like that. I get it. We can have joy no matter what because we don’t have to be fearful of anything. God has our future in the palm of His hand. Our eternal future is with Him. He is in control of everything. We can trust Him. He loves us.

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

We can have joy in knowing that the Lord is our strength

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

We can have joy in God’s presence in our life.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Does God rejoice?

Yes, He does. Let’s look at times when the Lord rejoices. I think they will help us in this study.
God rejoices when the lost sheep is found.

God rejoices when something that is lost is found.

He rejoices when a lost person accepts Him as Savior. He also rejoices when a backslidden believer (the prodigal) repents and returns to Christ.

Luke 15:4-7
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

What a wonderful reminder that we should be full of joy because once we were lost, and now we’ve been found. God rejoiced over us! Think on that – what a wonderful thought!

God rejoices when we are obedient.

We can understand this. As parents, we are joyful when our child is obedient, aren’t we?

II John verse 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

III John verse 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

I hope that this simple study has encouraged you in your pursuit of joy. This joy is available to you. We are called to be filled with joy. It will make us different. Go out and share your joy today!

Need some musical encouragement for Joy in your salvation?  This song, Old Church Choir, by Zach Williams, always reminds me of why I should be joyful.  It’s a happy song that reminds us that nothing should be able to steal our joy.

We talked about the first fruit, LOVE, in this post.